Getting Started

Where do I start?

I'm not an athlete never did any kind of sport. I thought running would be fun and I absolutely love being outside.

But the first time I tried to run I took off and not even .25 of mile in I couldn't breathe and had to walk.

I always lost my breath, so for years I just thought I couldn't run well. I would Run a bit and walk a bit doing 5K's here and there.

 I worked out at the local YMCA doing classes.

 Loved hiking or really backpacking; I would go off into Glacier National Park a week. It was hard with the elevation but always worth the view!

Fast forward I marry Edmund.

Our 1ˢᵗ anniversary we go to Disney and I ran my first 5K without having to walk. I was super excited and other runners where excited for me too. I have to say that Run Disney is amazing! What an amazing experience running through Epcot in the early morning with all the lights. Truly magically!

That was in 2020. After that I start running more often but not like all the time. My husband thinks I should do a half marathon. In my head I was like OMG I just did the 5K that’s 10 more miles the 5K was hard enough. There’s no way that is possible for me. But I do decide if I can run a 10K I will sign up for half marathon.

Low and behold I could run a 10K and now have to sign up for a half marathon because I said I would.

I am super scared! It’s really far! How can I do this?!

 I order a book by Hal Higdon on training for a half marathon and do the training.

Since RunDisney is so magical I decide that’s going to be my first half marathon and I'll do the princess one at the end of February.

I felt so good about my 1st half.

I trained followed everything and trusted the process. I was still nervous or maybe it was just excitement when race morning came.

The first 8 miles where amazing! You run up to Magic Kingdom from the Epcot parking lot was on the main road so lots of space. The entertainment set up all along the is super fun and helpful. If you aren’t too nervous and don’t pay attention. What I didn't expect was so many people. Why I didn't expect that who knows its Disney everything is crowed but there was lots of people like 15,000 run this thing every year. By mile 10 I was walk running. And just pushing like hell to finish it was hard I did lose   control of my thoughts the race being so crowded toward the back end was exhausting.

 Well, I freaking did it!!

The first thing I said to Edmund was, I'M NEVER DOING THAT AGAIN!!! Within 10 minutes I felt better. And the next day I signed up for a smaller local half marathon just to see if I could do better.

So, two months later I ran another one. The second was a much smaller local race and I did do much better mentally and my time improved by a few seconds. I still think I’m slow and not a strong runner. I’m learning don't worry about time or compare my journey.

 I love to run.

 It's hard and to not give up makes me feel strong.

Plus being outside feels good. And that’s totally enough.

My third was downtown Orlando which my husband did while I was training for my first half marathon and I did the 5k but wanted so badly to go with the half marathoners at the split. This one was super hard lots of hills and cobble stones. But loved the run and neighborhoods. This one has been my longest time. At this point I am still over three hours for my half marathon time.