Runflections

A look back at the past 3 years of running, a look ahead at what’s to come, and 11 things I wish I knew before I laced up my shoes for the first time.

In February 2016, I was tired of feeling out of sync and at war with my body. It was time to give back to the body that had carried me through almost 22 years of life and hadn’t failed me (too horribly) yet.

So, I laced up my New Balance running shoes and set out for a run around my neighborhood.

It took me 14 minutes and 15 seconds, but I logged my first mile in Nike Run Club — an app I still use to this day.

Shit was hard. Everything was on fire, I was drenched in sweat, and I couldn’t get off of my floor for a solid 10 minutes. But I felt good, hopeful, accomplished.

Shortly after that first mile, I decided to set my first running goal. I signed up for the Longhorn Run 5K that coming April.

I logged miles every day, vowing to better myself with every step. On race day, I ran my first 5K in just shy of 35 minutes.

To many, that time isn’t impressive. To me? I couldn’t have been happier. Crossing that finish line, I felt powerful and like my body was mine.

So, I kept running. And the goals kept getting bigger. I ran my first 10K the following year in April 2017 and my first half marathon in February 2018.

Running is what made me fall in love with fitness and truly appreciate what my body is capable of. Not every run is perfect and not every race goes the way I hope, but I’ve committed to never settling and always finding the next goal to pursue.

I always told myself I would never run a full marathon, but after my first half marathon… I started thinking “What if?”

A good friend of mine, who is an absolute doll and a badass marathoner, told me that was normal and that when I was ready to run my first full marathon — not if– to run the Chicago Marathon with her.

I laughed it off, but I couldn’t get the thought out of my brain.

Fast forward to early November 2018, I ran a 10 mile race as part of the Austin Distance Challenge. When I came home from the race after bombing my last 3 miles (it’s actually kind of funny how you can pinpoint the moment in the race where my body said HELL NAW based on my Nike Run Club data), the thought of running a marathon weighed very heavily on my mind. So, I texted my friend the next morning and asked her how she knew she wanted to run a marathon.

She told me, “I don’t think I ever questioned it, it was just a matter of when. But if you’re thinking about it, you should just commit and do it. Or, put your name in the lottery for Chicago or New York and let fate decide.”

I read her text and put all my self-doubts aside. I decided it was time to let the universe decide what was next.

On November 28th, I submitted my application for the 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and cried at my kitchen table.

Here I am, letting the universe decide if I’m ready for a goal that I never even dreamed was possible 3 years ago. Something I always swore I would and could never do.

The second I pressed submit on my application was the very moment I decided I’m ready to run a full marathon, Chicago or not. December 11th, I’ll find out if I’m lacing up my sneakers on October 13, 2019 in Chicago or if I’ll need to wait a bit longer for my 26.2 miles.

Big goals are terrifying, but that’s how they should be.

I look at the runner I am now and the person I’ve become as a result, and it makes me incredibly proud. I’ve got a lot of room ahead of me to grow, but I’m excited and humbled by how far I’ve come.

In my 3 years of running, here are some of my biggest lessons I’ve learned (and wish I knew on day 1):

1. Invest in good running shoes. Take the time to get fitted for the right shoe for your foot, your gait, and your goals.
2. Listen to your body. If something feels wrong or off, don’t ignore it.
3. Your new best friends will be sports massages and foam rollers.
4. Not every run is going to be a good run. And that’s okay.
5. Find a running community. Whether it’s a handful of friends or a formal running group, the support and encouragement is unreal and makes such a difference.
6. Running fuel and supplements can be very clutch. Try them out during your training runs and maaaaaybe don’t try a new one in the middle of a race.
7. If you’re a “run with music” kind of person, practice running without music in case your headphones die during a race so you won’t be totally thrown off.
8. Don’t underestimate the importance of stretching.
9. If you do get injured, take the time to recover properly and learn how to avoid reigniting that injury.
10. Be proud of your ability to run and your accomplishments, and don’t be too hard on yourself.
11. Set big goals — you’ll find a way to rise to the occasion.

I’d be lying if I said I’m totally ready for what’s next — I’m not. But I’m sure as hell excited for it.