Running-From Punishment to Pleasure
Running-From Punishment to Pleasure

“Get on the line!”

Already tired from the day’s practice and frustrated with whoever screwed up a drill for the umpteenth time, those are 4 words every high school football player dreads hearing as they head for the sidelines and prepare to sprint until they want to puke.

Fast forward 7 years to the moment of euphoria when I crossed the finish line of the Chicago Marathon in 3:04:11 and joined roughly .05% of the population who’ve qualified for Boston. As I was presented with my medal—along with the best part of running any race, the beer at the end!—one question crossed my mind. How did I end up here?

At different points in my life, I’d run for many reasons: for sports, to meet people, for a girl, to get in shape, to build confidence, to network, to push myself, and for the beer (or bourbon!).  Somehow, over time what I’d once thought of as punishment turned into something I would actually pay to do.

My first ever race was a 5k in a small college town. The course itself was less than inspiring and nothing but a painful reminder of all those sprints I had run for sports.  After that race I didn’t really continue running much, except to stay in some semblance of shape for Rugby.

About a year later, after college and having joined the ranks of corporate America, I found myself running the Cincinnati Flying Pig Relay to help a friend’s team who had an injured runner. I was the third leg which was 7 miles, my longest run. Ever. Intimidated by the myriad of runners surrounding me in my corral as I waited for my teammate to pass the baton, I felt out of place. I was not a runner and I felt like I didn’t belong there among all those other people with huge smiles eagerly awaiting their turn to run. I was nervous I might let our team down. All that changed when I slapped the bracelet on my wrist and hit the road. Distracted by the crowds lining the street, cheering for and encouraging me to keep going, to keep pushing. It could have been 1000 miles—I was enthralled. Each sign or cheer gave me a smile, momentarily distracting me from the pain of running. I was hooked!

After that race I decided to run a full Marathon the following year. It was then I joined a running group. I never would have guessed how quickly they would become such a big part of my life—more than just a social circle or training partners, they truly became family. The support and encouragement we give each other as we push ourselves to be better, not only in our training, but in all aspects of our lives is unparalleled.  From venting on a run after work and feeling better about the day, to coming together to support a fellow runner whose mother was battling cancer, to the encouragement from complete strangers simply because you are a runner; there is no better community.  And that is what keeps me coming back and pushing forward.

So, whether your next run is with a group, by yourself, a race, on a treadmill or even your first run – know that with running you are part of something bigger and that there are family, friends and even strangers who support you like few other communities can.

 
 
Seen a lot of slim chicks posting their

workouts on here so I thought I'd join 

the fun
Warning : I will bully every one of you

into daily stretches, plyo drills, crazy 

intervals, lifting heavy weights and 

epic long runs
104 °F.....  As my Grandma says, 

"Marathon training ain't for p*ssies."



Crazy old lady is right.

New Featured eBibs

Not as boring as it looks.
Things only runners understand... Sizing up every street, path or alley for its potential as a running route.
Running takes balls.  Other sports just play with them.
Who's idea was it to do the winter 8km cross? I knew I should have ran a 10k on the road instead.
I may not win, but finishing the race as Bat woman gets me cheers along  the way...
The moment your Garmin dies.  It's like the run never happened...
MARATERNITY LEAVE:  A sick day utilized the  Monday after a marathon,  solely to avoid walking up  the stairs of your office  building.
One does not simply run  past a glass wall without  looking at their form!
Runorexia. The belief that no matter how far you run, you still have one  more mile in you.
When your legs get tired, run with your heart. If that doesn't work, just keep moving towards the free beer.
I don't always sprint at the end of  race.. But when I do, my running  picture looks like I was trying!
RUNNERS.  Our feet will never be attractive.
I run because I get to be the weirdo running in the wind, rain and snow.
Effort level for this morning's run: Somewhere between OMG and WTF!!!
Everyone else on snow days:  Yay! No school!!!!   Runners on snow days:  Running is gonna suck!
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