Growing up, my interests revolved around activities like art, writing and animals. While I was competitive, I feared messing up, so avoided team sports. When instructed to run laps in gym class, I would give it my all--and then feel like I was going to die. Inevitably, this lead me to believe I hated running!
In order to stay healthy and active as an adult, I became a walker, trekking all around Toronto. When my husband and I adopted a very energetic terrier, I saw my perspective on running slowly evolving from 'hate' and 'for crazy people' to 'hmm, I wish I could do that.' The idea of tiring out our hyper dog while getting in a workout in a fraction of the time was definitely appealing.
When my very fit sister told me that she had started running, the competitive nature in me trumped the last of my hesitations. On a walk in June 2013 I thought, 'what the heck,' and decided to just start running. As expected, I was winded and didn't get very far. But, I was determined to give it a real chance, and tried again the next day. And the next. By slowing my pace from an all out 'I am being chased by a zombie' to something much more sustainable, I discovered I could continue further. After only a few weeks of walking and running, I ran 5K without stopping on Canada Day, July 1, 2013.
My sister was signed up to run the Toronto Women's 8K that fall and asked me to run it with her. Feeling like I needed to do my race distances in order, I signed up for the Toronto Scotia Waterfront 5K so I could get it in the week prior to the 8K. I happily found that the race environment pushed my limits and I was rewarded with finish times I had never seen in training. Plus--a really cool medal! Following those first two races, I feared I losing interest, so I quickly signed up for a 10K the following spring and trained through one of the worst winters the city had ever experienced.
To say I was hooked on running from that first day is an understatement--probably one of the biggest in my life. Instead of losing interest, I couldn't (and really still can't) get enough of running. I read whatever I could about it, signed up for races, chatted with running friends on social media, bought running gear and further improved good diet.
I have learned a lot since June 2013. A lot about running. A lot about myself. And that running has become part of what defines me. This blog is my way of recording events as well as lessons learned. For myself, friends, family--and for anyone else that says they hate running but secretly wonders if running is for them!
In order to stay healthy and active as an adult, I became a walker, trekking all around Toronto. When my husband and I adopted a very energetic terrier, I saw my perspective on running slowly evolving from 'hate' and 'for crazy people' to 'hmm, I wish I could do that.' The idea of tiring out our hyper dog while getting in a workout in a fraction of the time was definitely appealing.
When my very fit sister told me that she had started running, the competitive nature in me trumped the last of my hesitations. On a walk in June 2013 I thought, 'what the heck,' and decided to just start running. As expected, I was winded and didn't get very far. But, I was determined to give it a real chance, and tried again the next day. And the next. By slowing my pace from an all out 'I am being chased by a zombie' to something much more sustainable, I discovered I could continue further. After only a few weeks of walking and running, I ran 5K without stopping on Canada Day, July 1, 2013.
My sister was signed up to run the Toronto Women's 8K that fall and asked me to run it with her. Feeling like I needed to do my race distances in order, I signed up for the Toronto Scotia Waterfront 5K so I could get it in the week prior to the 8K. I happily found that the race environment pushed my limits and I was rewarded with finish times I had never seen in training. Plus--a really cool medal! Following those first two races, I feared I losing interest, so I quickly signed up for a 10K the following spring and trained through one of the worst winters the city had ever experienced.
To say I was hooked on running from that first day is an understatement--probably one of the biggest in my life. Instead of losing interest, I couldn't (and really still can't) get enough of running. I read whatever I could about it, signed up for races, chatted with running friends on social media, bought running gear and further improved good diet.
I have learned a lot since June 2013. A lot about running. A lot about myself. And that running has become part of what defines me. This blog is my way of recording events as well as lessons learned. For myself, friends, family--and for anyone else that says they hate running but secretly wonders if running is for them!