Why I Run

If you have recently creeped on any of my social media channels, you will see from all my Nike Running App post and pictures that I am have been on a fourteen week  training schedule  for the Calgary Half Marathon that is less than two weeks away.  If you had asked me 2 years ago that I would be running  5km, 10km and now my first half marathon,  I would have told you hell no, I hate running! I can image you yelling at this post saying the same thing and I totally share your horror at even imagining such a ridiculous idea. It has been quite a journey and reflecting on how I came to this point on my life , I beam with a sense of pride and accomplishment that I have allowed myself to embark on a road that I never intended on travelling.

How did I get here?

I have been challenging my body for the past 3 years and striving for a better version of myself ( you know those fit for 30 challenges everyone is doing) and in the beginning, it has been great to see the lbs go down and some muscles start showing. However, it became less satisfying and more stressful when you see your progress slow down, stop and even go backwards. It was driving me crazy!!!  I knew from that moment I had to re-evaluate what my fitness goals. It was not going to be a certain number on the scale, a size of a pair of jeans or a checklist item. I decided my NEW fitness goals were to be on accomplishing new athletic and physical feats that scared that crap out of me. I believe the mantra ...  If your dreams do not scare you, then you are not dreaming big enough”.

So with that in mind I started incorporating 1km-3km walk and runs  into my workout and cardio routine. Months later, I could run 5km without walking! H O O R EY!  I stared adding 5km runs to my daily workouts as my warm up and it  soon became second nature. It is here where I began to relax and tell myself the job was done. Mission accomplished. The passion stated dying down because I had mentally checked out, my goal had expired.  It took a year for me to realised there was  more here than just proving I can run 5km, how about 10km?  I went back to the drawing board and started to demand more from myself! AND IT WAS HARD! The demand on your body, but mostly your mind is like no other. It takes longer for your mind to get with the program than your body, but once you get your mind right, this is when all the fun begins! Anything becomes possible... So I woke up one day and said to myself..”Hey what about a half marathon? That is to not crazy, is it?”

Running had now become so therapeutic to my physical and mental well-being and is part of my self-care routine. Running has become a way to deal with life challenges in a positive and productive way.  When I am overwhelmed with emotions, be it anger, stress and grief, I run! If I am elated with life and I want to show gratitude to a special person, a special day or accomplishment, I run!

I will be participating in the Calgary Half Marathon on Sunday, May 31^st, 2015, my first race ever! ( I skipped the 5km and10km races... go BIG or go HOME!) I cannot wait to feel the joy of crossing that finish line and reap the benefits of those early morning and late night runs, running in the rain, ice and snow (this is Canada!) and most of all, my friends who have accommodate and supported my crazy running schedule. Your likes and comment on my Facebook page via Nike running app are always heard and motives me to keep on going.  

It would be awesome for you to share your running journey.  Are you toying with the idea of starting running? What has inspired you to run? Or what are your running fears? ( If you dare to share) I never thought I would be writing such a post and it is great to know that  I am conquering my fears and redefining what is possible both mind and body!