Sunday, July 20, 2014

I run for..."club membership"

New blog post today to commemorate my return to training! Yay! I've been off for 2 weeks (8 runs total) due to injury and illness. First, plantar fasciitis. Thankfully, I stopped as soon as I felt pain so my recovery time was fairly short. I did a combination of ibuprofen, ice, and massage with a golf ball. Was ready to get back into running after that and then sinusitis hit me. Took a couple days off work and rested which helped a lot! I returned to running yesterday with a short 4 mile run even though I have some lingering symptoms but it was SO worth it. I just love to run. There is nothing else to it. Today I followed up with another short 4 mile run. Tomorrow I return to cross training.

So on to today's topic - "club membership". My running journey began as a much needed step to get myself healthy and happy. This has been my story all along. I run for me. But over the years (3 years in November) I have come to value my membership in a seemingly exclusive club of runners. Once I started running, I became much more aware of other runners around me. I quickly developed kinships over our mutual love for running and I talked endlessly with other runners about our successes, struggles, etc. From this I have learned so much.

I feel like my first marathon experience is what really made my club membership official. As I walked to the start line and saw all of the people there for the same reason, I just relished in that feeling of belonging. That feeling never went away. Along the race that I day, I drew encouragement and strength from the other runners on the course. I will never forget how it inspired me.

Even though my running journey is for me, for my own health and happiness, I continue to be inspired by other runners. On April 15, 2013, when the Boston Marathon bombing occurred, it was an absolute tragedy. But among the horrors of that day emerged the ever inspiring and encouraging stories of runners coming together to support the victims. The entire national running community showed their support by running in solidarity for Boston.

The thing about this club membership is that it is not as exclusive as it seems. If you run, then you are a runner and you, in essence, "belong" to the club. I am always looking to recruit! That is why when anyone asks about how I got started or what it takes to train for a marathon, I am more than happy to share my experience. That is why I started this blog! It is not to toot my own horn. It's to encourage and inspire others to change their lives. Running DOES change lives. It has certainly changed mine.

So let this be my official "welcome to the club" post. Now go run! :)


Some of the things I've acquired in my years of club membership…(not included: race shirts, swag bags, and running clothes)

My Shoes! All Merrell brand. There's about 1500+ miles in those shoes. 


Handheld water bottle, 2 hydration belts, my flip belt, reflective bands, watch and heart rate monitor, IT band strap, iPod arm band, Camelbak

I display these medals and race bibs with pride! There's been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to go into those babies. 

And finally...my first StrideBox! I will get one of these every month!