Skirt On The Run

So this summer my running really slowed down, in May I strained my left quad and every time I started running again it hurt, mostly a dull pain, but it hurt none the less. So I dialed back the training, I walk/ran a few races and took lots of time off. It sucked and my mood got pretty bad, I hated not being able to run whenever I wanted. But I knew that if I didn’t rest it I wouldn’t make it through the rest of the races I had planned. So today I ran 4 wonderful pain free miles and am looking forward to running more and all of my upcoming races. I will still take it conservatively, but I feel like I am finally moving in the right direction. I have run a couple 5k’s recently and they were so fun. But I did hurt after.
Green Bay Packer 5k has to be one of my favorites, and this year didn’t disappoint.

Race for the Bacon 5k was fun, but not enough bacon at the finish line, never thought I would have liked bacon so much during a race, but it was awesome, bacon at mile 1.5 was just what I needed.

1. Get lucky triple 7k – March 16 – done
2. Wisconsin Marathon 1/2 – May 4 – done
3. Madison Marathon 1/2 – May 26 – done
4. Summerfest Rock n Sole – June 15 – done
5. Chicago Women’s half – June 23 – done
6. Madison Mini – August 17
7. Disneyland 1/2 – September 1
8. Women Rock 1/2 – September 21
9. Biggest Loser 1/2 – September 22
10. Brewers Mini – September 28
11. Empire State 1/2 – October 20
12. Haunted Hustle – October 27
13. Disney Wine & Dine – November 10

Just over 3 years ago I began a journey to change my life, I had tried to run in the past and failed at it after only a few weeks, so I gave it another try, I signed up with some friends for my very first race in April of 2010.

I barely trained for it, I started the couch to 5k program in February of 2010 and it was so so hard. I was also a lot heavier than I am today, 2010 was a struggle, I participated in a few races and mainly walk/ran them, but I loved the running community and being at a race having so many people support me really helped get me going.

My first race ever! Mount Pleasant 5k

2010 races (my average pace was a 11:35-13:00, I was walk/running everyone of these races, my only goal each time was to try my best and to finish)
Mount Pleasant 5k – April
Lighthouse Run 4 mile – June
Skeleton Skamper 5k – October
Mayors Turkey Trot 2 mile – November
Jingle Bell Run 5k – December

In January of 2011, I made a major decision to join weight watchers. Best decision I ever made, but also bitter sweet. I had been in Colorado over the Christmas holiday, I went for a run on Christmas morning and thought I pulled something, I found out several weeks later that I had fractured my leg…

There goes running for a bit, but I never gave up on getting back to running. As I healed and sat around, I began planning my running comeback. Once I was cleared to begin activity again (after 7 weeks on crutches) I started walking almost daily, I was doing weight watchers and was already down 25lbs, with no exercise! I tracked my walks with Nike+, I did a little in march and April, and in May I increased my activity a lot, my leg was feeling great so it was time to start walk/running. My goal was to stay healthy.

On June 18th 2011 I ran my first race after being injured, the Lighthouse Run 4 mile, it was hot and humid and I did walk some, but I did it and I felt great… Things only got better from there.

As I get ready for the Madison Mini in just under 2 weeks, I think back on how far I’ve come with my running. I wasn’t a runner in high school or even college. I always thought runners were a crazy fast elitist group of people, I was only partially right. Runners are the most open, honest and supportive people that I know, besides my family, I now have a running family. I am part of several running groups and each one has changed me and shaped me more than they will ever know. I have some really awesome running buddies and training partners.

I’m starting this blog to reflect where I’ve come from, where I am and to see what my future in running looks like.