Comments on: I Am A Runner

By: michelle

michelle — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 02:36:42 +0000

Kelli, your race recap brought tears of joy. Congratulations — you’re an inspiration!

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By: Kelli

Kelli — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:39:21 +0000

On April 25, 2010 I woke up bright and early. Went through my typical routines, ezekial toast with low sugar grape jell and a cup of green tea. I decided to have a few cups of water then I showered, got dressed, grabbed my tag, my number, my kids, husband and mother in law…jumped into the car and drove to NYC for my first half marathon. This was it. The day was finally here. It was raining at home… more like a light misty drizzle. As we got closer and closer to NYC the rain began to come down more. It was even heavier when we reached the city. It was actually POURING. I couldn’t believe it. “Do you think they cancel half marathons?” I asked my husband..a few times. “No, Kelli…” Sitting there in the back seat, while my husband drove to central park, I kept thinking…”how am I going to do this.” A voice in my head kept telling me..”today is the day you have been waiting for, today is your first half marathon, no matter the weather, you will run.” They dropped me off in front of the park. I headed to the start line where there were more people lining up than I had ever seen before! Even at the army 10 miler! This was amazing. ALL WOMEN, running together, maybe some for the same reason, maybe some for different reasons. Whatever the case… we were all there together. When the race finally started.. I had the “I am going to do this” feeling deep down inside. It was the best run I have ever had. IT took all that was in me to run in the rain. I counted each mile as an achievement… mile 6, then 7. Once I reached 8 I kept saying to myself, “look you’ve never done 9 & here comes mile number 9.” Each mile after nine was something I had never done before. Yes, I ran the army 10 miler..but I had to walk some of it.. I ran this half marathon. When I saw mile 12, I could feel tears welling up, my knees were hurting, my back ached, I had a cramp behind my thigh..but I kept running. The last mile hurt. A pain I had never felt before. The pain when you push your body to that point it’s never gone. It REALLY hurt. When I came around the bend to the finish, I saw my family- they were cheering for me…and I wanted to cry. Not because of any pain that I was feeling…(I ran through that finish line as fast as my body would let me go… it was a rush that I’d never felt before)but because I did it. I set out to reach a goal- and I did. My husband and children were there to support me…and I finished and I finished hard. I may not have broken any records that day… I ran it in 2 hours and 17 minutes, but I finished and I was proud of me. :)

Thanks for all of your support!!

I am training for my next half marathon in June! The fairfield stratton faxon race!!!!

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By: Serenity

Serenity — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:18:28 +0000

Kelli-
Thanks for sharing your journey with running. Like yourself, I was an obsese youngster, and have made the intentional choices for myself to be healthy. I am encouraged by you mentioning what you have done to take the baby steps that led to you taking the momentous step of running a half-marathon. I used to be in disbelief of people doing triathlons, marathons, etc.- but really its a series of small choices each day that add up to a powerful ‘whole.’ Also like yourself, I have kids that keep me on my toes, and challenge me to be the best I can be. Isn’t running amazing? I think I actually need it in my life to stay sane. It is alone time, sweat time, music time, think time, and down time all in one! Best to you on your journey!
Serenity

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By: kelli

kelli — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:05:40 +0000

lol thanks catherine!! I like the 5’2″ part…because I’ve always been 5’1and 3/4″…until I started yoga…went for my physical…and wallla… I grew!!! I never knew that was possible!
Anyway, I am getting a little nervous now – but looking forward to this challenge! I ran a 4 miler this weekend. Pretty happy with my results. Gradually getting better. Will report back after this weekend.I will def. be blogging about it!

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By: Catherine Dickson

Catherine Dickson — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:35:31 +0000

Hi Kelli!

Wishing your 5’2″ frame tremendous speed: lightning fast-tt for your first-half! ‘You GO Girl!!!’ Give it what you got!! You CAN do it–straight to finish line and more!!!

We’ll all be here waiting to hear….:)

~Catherine

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By: kelli

kelli — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:01:31 +0000

marie– just checked out your site can you send me some information or email me?

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By: kelli

kelli — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 23:59:02 +0000

thanks marie! I will check out your site! It sounds amazing! One week left until my first half!!!

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By: kelli

kelli — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 00:19:54 +0000

Thanks Susan and good luck!! I find that at the end of a really good run… I FEEL SO GOOD! And I know that I’ve just burned my calories, worked out and left all my mommy worries out on the pavement! I use the treadmill too, sometimes. I found it easier to start off with.
Keep in touch and let us know of your journey!
I am going to be blogging about my race as it gets closer!

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By: susan

susan — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:41:48 +0000

great story…very inspiring. have always wanted to be a runner. even at my fittest times i have not found running at all easy for me. so always gave it up and stuck to step aerobics, power walking, nordic track and free weights. now i am at my most unfit and really need to get back in to cardio with major consistency. i have 3 young children so running just seems to be the most time efficient with the most cardio/weight loss benefit. i am ready to give it another try. i find running on the treadmill a little easier so i will start there. thanks for the motivation. it is so refreshing to hear from “everyday” people and not just fitness experts that have been doing this for a lifetime. :)

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By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:20:13 +0000

You can also become a fan of Facebook – B.I.G. (Believe, Inspire, Grow)
=)

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