They say if you want to get healthy then exercise. If you want to change your life become a runner. They weren't kidding. A year ago I found out I would be running my first marathon. This wasn't just any marathon, but the Boston marathon. At that point I had only done a 5k. I put an application in thinking there is no shot in hell I'll get picked. Boy was I wrong. I had no clue what I was getting myself into. I had just lost all the weight and had really just started running. I was at a very low point in my life. I was struggling to eat, my hair was virtually non existent and I was extremely depressed and suffering from anorexia. A year later my world couldn't be any different.
When I first started I had no clue what I was doing. How to eat, how many miles to run per day and proper equipment. Honestly, I wasn't even sure I could actually do this. I was listening to all of negative comments being made and taking it all to heart. Everyone had found out and office pool was started with most betting against me (including a teammate, yeah I kicked her ass!). I looked up training programs and gave it a go. I had only four months to prepare and decided to take it seriously. Once I got my shit together and worked on doing it the healthy way, I really started to enjoy the 5 am long runs on Sunday. I started to love running in the snow, ice and wind. My body started to change and every week I could run faster and longer. I knew there was a cut off time of 6:30 and I was determined to make it. I started to live for the run.
There became in a change in me. I wasn't so sad anymore. I had an easier time eating. I was actually happy to get up in the morning. I was actually excited for something. I started to be able to just block out all the negative and focus on the positive. I also started spending money on spandex and sneakers instead of designer clothes. It honestly felt like the sun had finally come out for the first time in years. I joined Facebook and found all my old friends. I was shocked at how many people were routing for me and happy for me. It was humbling to say the least. I was actually smiling and everyone else noticed.
I took my 20 mile run and actually nailed it. For someone who had never done these kinds of distances it was huge shock that I could actually do it. It was crazy to me and such a life changing moment. I, the girl who could barely walk a mile a few years ago ran 20 miles in less than 4 hours. I was in complete shock and cried like a sissy. 3 weeks later I ran the Boston marathon in 4:19. After running less than a year I shocked the shit out of many.. including myself.
After that I realized I loved it and wanted to continue. I also realized there are a ton of marathons and I wanted to run them all. I also learned that you need time to heal. My next marathon in Wakefield MA was a disaster. I had been hit by a car 3 weeks prior, I had terrible stomach issues from undiagnosed Celiac disease and bad sneakers. Even all of these couldn't stop me and I finished 77th. I realized that I must be doing something right because I was still getting faster. I had the best time at that race. I realized runners are really a friendly group of people. I started to notice I was being treated differently. People stopped questioning if I could actually do this to just asking whats the next race. I was no longer the under dog, I was the runner. Then came New York.
Training for New York was intense. I was so focused on running a sub 4 hour marathon. I refused to screw with my diet. I was determined to finally be victorious. I got good shoes, worked on my form and built up my endurance. It all paid off. 3:46, with my parents at the finish line. I was 8,549 out of 50,397 finishers, 341 out of 3,738 in my age group and 1,598 out 20,400 females! I finally proved I was competitor not just a finisher. Plus I ran a couple of half marathons, both under 2 hours and ran everyday like a true crazy person.
My next year kicks off with a half back in NYC and of course, Paris. This has truly been the craziest year of my life. I have met amazing people, learned who my true friends are and proved to the world don't count this little one out. Plus I've eaten more rice Chex than anyone ever should, spit all over Boston and never crapped my pants which is the ultimate victory. The best thing isn't my times or sweet medal collections, it's that I'm finally happy. 113 days until I run my dream... Paris. To the next year.. It's going to be epic!
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