Running Family

I started running in March of 2010, and when I started I ran alone! All the time! At the time I was unaware of the running community that was out there. So needless to say I was very attached to my iPod and only knew the routes in and around my house. When I started to run, it was only short miles. Until I said I’m going to run a half marathon, which was going to be in April 2011. I had no idea what training plans were…my thinking was every weekend I will just run 1 more mile then last week, and when I get to 13 I will be ready to run my 1^st half. So the week before the Talladega Half Marathon I ran 12.5 miles! Yes I know now…such the wrong way to train! I did run a few times during the week as well, but looking back I really had no idea what I was doing other then putting 1 foot in front of the other and putting miles in. 

Finished my 1st Half Marathon!

After running that race, I still couldn’t believe I had done it! And afterwards, running became a bit challenging. Maybe because I had just accomplished my goal of running a half marathon, and at that time I said I would Never run a marathon! I was in running limbo! I enjoyed running, but I had no other goals in the near future, and running alone was becoming lonely! But I still stuck with it, just a few runs during the week. But in June I saw a tweet looking to possible start a running group in Helena I responded. And my running love was renewed. It would be different; I would be running with people, which would be somewhat of a change. And so the first weekend in July, I got up earlier then I ever thought I would on a Saturday morning and meet up with the Helena Endurance Running Group.

Coffee after 1st HERG group run

It was the 1^st time I had ever run with a group and looking back I am so happy I got my butt out of bed that Saturday morning! I continued to get my but out of bed every Saturday morning to go and run with the group. They became my Running Family! With them as my family, I was opened to a whole world of running I was unaware of!

I think I can honestly say, with out my running family I would have never said I want to run a marathon, or let’s just randomly sign up for a half marathon!

Donnette & I Prior to Montgomery Half

I am thankful and grateful for so many people, so I am going to do a short thank you list:

Donnette, for starting the HERG’s

Stefanie & I after
finishing my 1st Marathon

Stefanie for giving me the courage to run a marathon

Brooke, Mark, and Jason helping with “speed and hills”

Tom for helping warm up the hands…Tebow style

Liz & I after Wed Night run &
before Pizza time!

Liz for being my 5:30am running buddy and of course Wednesday night pizza eating!

In the few months before I left for Michigan (and before I knew I was moving). I found that my running family extended from Helena out to the Birmingham/Mountain Brook/Homewood area, with the Village Runners.  I had met a bunch of them through races and other social events. They are a group of runners that meet almost every morning for a run, and of course on the weekends.  I had kept saying I am going to come out there one morning during the week, but I never did until one of my last weeks living in Alabama. I was always so concerned with getting up at 4:30am and travel and making sure to get back in time to get to work. But then when it was one of my final weeks in Alabama, I finally made the drive out to Mountain Brook for the Sunrise run! It was great, such a large group of people at 5:15 in the morning to run! Seeing that I went from running alone to running with a group, seeing such a large group that early in the morning was amazing! Especially when most of my weekday AM runs were alone, it was a welcoming change! The only thing was that I wished I had started to get up and drive out there a long time ago! It wasn’t so bad getting up early and driving out there. And with this extension to the family I am thankful for meeting them and keeping the motivation going! I will miss getting to know, Randy, Jill, Michael, Russ, Sara, Julie, Darnell, Niki, Tanya, David, Alex, & Cathy and everyone else...but there is always Facebook and Twitter to keep & stay in touch! And of course destination races!!

Village Runners Post Sunrise Run

As I now have moved back to Michigan, I am trying to find my new running family. I am not sure it will ever be able to fill the 'running' shoes as the family I had in Alabama!

HERG group

~Do you have a running family?
~What do you love most about this family?

What I love about Running

I saw that #runchat was having a contest and it is an interesting one....write 10 things you love about running. So that made me think what do i love about running? Let's see if I can list 10....
10~ Clothes...
 I know it's not high fashion but it can be! Any time I can go into a store and look at new running clothes it does add a smile to my face. I am a big fan or Under Armor, Nike, Brooks and now if I could afford Lululemon I would be in Heaven!!

Lululemon How Cute?!

9~ GU...

Peach Tea!

I never thought I would say that, but GU Chomps are so yummy at 4:45am when about to go out for a run. Peach tea is my favorite, plus has the most caffeine! Then off course how could you not like Chocolate! Chocolate brownie taste in a packet!! Now if Chocolate and Peanut Butter could combine...that would be heaven!!

8~Sweat..
Not something many people may love, but the feeling of being done with a work out and seeing the sweat you know it was a great work out!!

7~Garmin

Yes a gadget, one that I have only had for a week now, but I do love it!! I had the Nike+ sports band prior to this and it worked great! It was great for me being a beginner. But this Garmin has already taught me so much about my running! I see it being very helpful!!

6~ Shoes
What girl doesn't love shoes!? Just never thought I would enjoy running shoes as much as my flip flops and heels! and just me i have few pair of heels that I love! I am currently running in Asics GT-2170 but I am thinking of changing to Brooks..have to visit my favorite running shop, Fleet Feet to try it out!

5~You Tube Videos about Running.

just watch no need to say anymore!!

4~Beer

After Montgomery Half

Yes...beer as soon after running a race, I am not usually a big beer drinker, I enjoy captain and coke zero myself, but never thought beer at 9am would taste so good..especially after a great race!!

3~Accomplishment
The amazing feeling after finishing a run and knowing it has become of your longest runs yet! Yes there is some pain involved but such a amazing feeling knowing that you set out to run #miles and finished all the #miles!!

2~Medals

Me & Husband after 1st Half-Marathon!

This kinda goes along with accomplishment! Its a piece of hardware that gives you a daily reminder of the hard work that you have done to meet the goal you have worked so hard for!! I remember almost crying when I crossed the finish line at my 1st half-marathon. Now I wonder will I really cry when I cross the finish line after doing my 1st full Marathon in 5 weeks? I am guess so!!

1~FRIENDS!!

HERG running group 

Without finding the group that I currently run with I am almost certain that when I finished that 1st half marathon that would have been my only one! I am so happy that I have found a great group of people to run with. And along the way I can call them my friends!! I also have fun everyday that I am out there running!! If I start not having fun...i will have to find something else to do!


Well finding 10 things I love about running was a little easier then I thought! some may be silly, but it is a true passion in my life and i am so happy to have discovered it and stuck with it!!