Today’s guest post comes from Brittany. Thanks so much for sharing your story!
You don’t look like a runner.
How many times have you heard that? For me it is always the first thing people say. Thanks… I guess. The next thing they say is “Did you win”. Why yes! Yes, I out ran ten thousand other runners. It is these silly statements or questions that gets you thinking about how you got started running. How did you get started running? Is it a story you like to tell? Let me tell you how I got started.
It all started with a friend. A friend that has been my friend since high school. She emailed me one day and said the normal thing you talk about in emails..”Do you want to run a 5k with me?” My first response I am sure was something like “Umm no thanks”. Fast forward to googling The Color Run – IT. LOOKED. AMAZING. I mean you wear white, run 3.1 miles and get color thrown on you. What is there not to get excited about? So of course I said yes, after her having to talk me into it.
Here is the part were “training” comes in. Let’s use that word loosely because we might have got together a handful of times to “train”. I mean we ran around the track a couple of times and I said to her “This isn’t hard”. I did not want to over train for a little ‘ol 5k. How hard could it be? Let me tell you, I ate my words. It was hard. Harder than I ever thought.
Let me just mention that the course started on a hill. My hometown is what we call “fast and flat”. I was not ready for that hill. I ran up that hill and walked the rest of the way. No shame in walking, but it was not what I had in mind. I finally finished that race, along with my Mom, after all my friends had crossed the finish line way before me. My confidence was hurt. That did not keep me down though. I had cheerleaders at the finish line cheering me on. Crossing that finish line, hearing people cheer other people on, that is why I run. I love it. It has helped me gain all kinds of confidence that I never thought I could have before!
2013 was my first 5k. I ended 2015 with a handful of 5ks, two 10ks and my first half marathon.
I started 2016 with a 5k, hoping I can finish with 4 half marathons. I am just like everyone else, still learning as I run. Here’s to a new year, many more miles and maybe a shiny new PR.
Happy Running!
I’m a ballet dancer who has also run my share of races. “You don’t look like a runner” is baloney. Good for you staying true to yourself and going for it no matter what!