A Positive Change

Two years ago this summer I was hanging out on my mom's back porch, watching the kids swimming, when I noticed how trim my sister-in-law, TT, had become. I knew she had started running with my older brother, Bob, but until I saw how petite and toned she looked, I hadn't realized how much good the running was doing for her body.I looked down at my own body, still a bit doughy from my third child, and I vowed that by the following summer I would be running with her.

When I began to train some weeks later, I thought it was great that I could jog for a song, then walk for a song, and repeat that pattern for 30 minutes without keeling over. At the time, it was great- for me. Over the next few months, I decreased the amount of walking until I was jogging for two songs at a time, then walking for one minute of another song. I noticed my legs becoming more sleek and I loved it. Also, I wasn't gasping for breath, and instead had developed a measured breathing pattern.

With excitement and trepidation, I signed up for my first 5K. I ran long distance in high school, but that was several years ago. (Okay, more than several, but who's counting?) I was nervous that morning, but I pinned on my bib and my game face and took my place in the crowd. Twenty-nine minutes later I crossed the finish line and the euphoria carried me through the rest of the day.

I wanted to do it again.

Now, two years later, I am able to run for 2 hours and 16 minutes at a time, although not all of the time. I take short thirty second walks just to rest my shins, and then it's off I go. During the week, I will take my dog for 3 or 4 mile runs, something we both enjoy. Although I haven't been able to shrink my bones to my sister-in-law's size, I definitely feel more toned overall. It's a tremendously incredible feeling to have come so far, and  I have completed four half marathons with several more planned. I have also made the commitment to begin training for a full marathon, scheduled for May 5th, 2013.

I read somewhere that only 1% of the world's population have completed marathons. I want to be part of that elite group. I know it's going to be tough, this training. Already, my knee tends to be sore after a longer run, but I am so excited and determined. I feel that accomplishing this marathon will be one of the greatest things I can do for myself, besides bringing forth my three miracles into the world. Wish me luck.