I was never really a runner. I ran a little as cross training in high school for gymnastics, but that was it. I ran a little more in college, a couple of 5k's but nothing more. In grad school, I ran a little more, a few 10k's and one HM. Then in 2006, I ran the Peachtree 10k and we had to start in the back because we didn't have a qualifying time. After that, I ran a qualifier 10k and have been running ever since. After having DD, running was my preferred form of exercise because half the time I could do it with her in the stroller, and it was the biggest bang for the buck time wise. Now, I run 30 miles/week and ran my first marathon this year.
Post by chitownbelle on Jul 28, 2014 9:11:33 GMT -5
Growing up, I was a midfielder playing soccer, so running was just included. In HS during preseason for swimming, we had to run 3 miles here and there and I HATED it. Wanted to die. Walked some. Was the last person in, just miserable. Then started running a couple miles here and there with my crew before rowing a few mornings a week while in college, and then gave that up and would randomly hit the treadmill at the gym. It wasn't until grad school when a classmate was getting ready for her wedding and I hopped on the treadmill next to her at the gym, and found it very easy. I skipped couch to 5k and downloaded bridge to 8k/10k, and found that simple too, so I just started running on the indoor track a lot.... so inexperienced that I wore Soffee cheer shorts. Chafing and all! I started running consistently to get in shape for my 2008 wedding, ran my first half in 2009, full in 2010, and never looked back! As an adult, running is a self-competitive sport that you can do alone or with a group, do it for fun or take it seriously, and it is something I found to really enjoy. Who doesn't like a hobby that keeps them healthy?
Post by runblondie26 on Jul 28, 2014 9:49:48 GMT -5
I was involved in dance and then cheerleading from the time I was a toddler until I started middle school. I began running with our middle school cross-country team when I was 11, since my friends were doing it. My parents were surprised when I took to running cross country and liked getting muddy on the trails since I was very "girlie-girl".
I pretty much ran year round either with the school team or our town's youth track program. My college's track/xc team lost its funding my freshamn semester, but I continued running on my own in college anyway and moved up to doing half and full marathons as well.
Of course it's ebbed and flowed, but I've idenfied with being a runner for most my life. Pregnancy is really the only time I've ever taken a few months off from running.
I ran track in HS, mainly because it was good cross training for swimming. I HATED it.
I've grown to like it-not necessarily the act of running-but more of what I get out of it. The alone time in the mornings where I'm 100% disconnected, the social aspect of my running team, and the fact that I can drink more wine when I run more
I always ran off and on throughout middle-HS and beyond. I never ran competitively in HS...I was a (very mediocre) member of the swim team. My first BF in college was a runner so that continued my involvement with the activity, and over the years it became the one constant in my life. I started doing longer distance races around 1-2 years after college graduation, motivated by friends that were getting into running HM's and marathons.
Post by melodramatic26 on Jul 28, 2014 13:21:36 GMT -5
Never a runner or very active. Weighed over 250lbs. Got pregnant. Had gestational diabetes. Scared the crap out of me. 6 weeks postpartum, started weight watchers (Sept.)meetings.
Around New Years, our leader had us write down a goal that wasn't weight oriented to reach for just a month. I wrote down "exercise 3 times a week". I wasn't even shooting for 4. Just 3.
My bff was a runner. I had a treadmill. I started C25K because it was 3 times a week and no more than 30 minutes. Done while watching tv.
By March I completed the program. In April, ran my first 5k. October, first half marathon.
Now, down 100lbs and training for half marathons 7 and 8. It's a combo of losing the weight and running. I can't do one without the other. My life is so different now, I couldn't even imagine how sad it would be to still be in my old body.
Loving ALL of these stories!!! Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond. I really love all the 'never runners' who are now doing 5ks, 10ks, halfs and beyond!
Post by blndsnbrdr on Jul 29, 2014 12:34:33 GMT -5
I socially ran cross counter and track/field as a fresh/soph in high school...then I got a job and didn't have time.
My first non-HS race was as a senior in college. In 2007 I was an event coordinator for an AMA 5K, it was chaos so I decided I would run it the next year so I couldn't take on extra planning responsibilities. In April of 2008 I ran my first 5K...and immediately signed up for my second...before the end of the year I'd run a few 5Ks, a few 10Ks and two 10Milers.
From 2009-2013 I ran a lot of road races -- anything from 2miles to marathon distance [although only 2 marathons that I agonized over!]. I was a solid middle of the packer with my pace not improving much at all. It was a "for fun" thing for me.
In 2013 I got on a LRS team in Colorado and consistently did speed work every week...and consequently PR'ed every single distance I ran, sometimes back to back. Obviously speed work actually does work!
I discovered trails in the fall of 2013 and impulse registered for my first ultra marathon just a few weeks before the race -- I ran the Bear Chase 50K in September 2013 with far less pain and far more smiles than I expected.
By the time January 2014 rolled around I was sitting at my computer with a credit card ready to sign up for more ultras -- two 50milers and one 100miler. So far I've survived the 50milers...we'll find out about the 100miler in September!
I kind of love the trails and am learning SO much about myself and my body! It's insane to even think about how much I've learned in the past year!
Post by billysgirl07 on Jul 29, 2014 22:35:42 GMT -5
Just like most everyone else, I was never a runner when I was younger.
My friend from HS was killed in the VT shootings in 2007. He was an avid runner among other things. Each year, there is a race to help raise money to build a track at our old HS in his honor. That's why I started running, in honor of my friend Herb. He used to help me with my physics homework, so this is the least I can do.
Post by schitzengiggles on Jul 30, 2014 8:30:58 GMT -5
I was never a runner. I was overweight as a kid and various levels of overweight/obese throughout most of my 20's. As an adult, my low was maybe 170/size 14 (for my wedding), and my high was 230/size 22 (after kids).
As a kid, I never did much of anything physically active besides riding my bike in the summer. I hated gym class. In 8th grade, I skipped it so often that I ended up failing (not a good idea since the next year I had to take it again, plus 9th grade phy ed). I never joined any organized sports.
In 2011 I decided it was time once and for all to change. I wanted to be a good role model for my kids and I was sick of feeling exhausted just by going up a flight of stairs in my house. Shopping sucked, meeting new people sucked....I felt uncomfortable all the time. It just sucked. So, I started eating better and exercising a little (Wii Fit at first). One day I decided to try to run on a treadmill. I went for about 10 seconds at 4.0 and thought I was going to die. But afterwards, I was a nasty sweaty mess...and felt great about it. The following month, we bought a treadmill for our house. I used it frequently and built up to being able to slowly jog a mile. Someone convinced me to sign up for a 5k in the summer. That kept me motivated on the treadmill though I was still too insecure about running outside in public. I did the 5k in 38:48 though, and by the end I thought I was going to die. I was sore, exhausted....and hooked. Someone commented that maybe the next year, I should do the half marathon option instead of the 5k. I cracked up and said "no way in hell".
Well yeah. Fast forward a year...and I did the half marathon. That was 2 year ago. I am currently training for my 6th half marathon. I intend on doing a full in 2016, after I am out of grad school. My 5k PR is 27:00. I ended up losing 90 lbs throughout all of this, plus I started and lead a very active local chapter of Moms RUN This Town.
Post by derbycitycook on Jul 30, 2014 9:08:04 GMT -5
I never thought that I would be a runner, ever. I never did sports as a kid and have never been athletic.
When I got married I was really unhappy with how I looked (after a bout with depression and subsequent weight gain in college). I had just gotten on the Nest, saw how successful a lot of Nesties were with c25k, and just went for it. And now I love it!