Danielle on FACEBOOK …My ‘Runnaversary’

Today is my “Runnaversary”! I started out walking LAST March to lose weight, but was inspired by others C25K’s posts and began running using C25K app, a year ago, today. I can remember, running just 60 whole seconds at a time, back then seemed like such a challenge, too, and to be able to run a 5k seemed SO far out of my reach but I worked the plan, was injured, took a lil time to recover, and kept trying.

I finished the plan on the day of my first 5k, The Volkslaufe: The People’s Race, Frankenmuth, MI, on our vacation on 7/4/14. I was so proud of myself I can remember tearing up while I was running because I was “doing it”. Since then, I ran seven more 5k’s, finished a 10k plan early February, ran a 4 Miler, in January, and ran a 5 Miler earlier this month. I can remember a year ago today I had contacted my cousin, Joe Lyman, in NY, who’s ran for several years, about wanting to run, and some advise he gave me was, “Don’t run for weight loss or timing, run to be fit and for endurance. And if your going to run, BE A RUNNER.” In other words, you don’t just play at it…run once a one week, several the next, not at all the next, and eat all kinds of junk and drink pop and caffeine …you gotta do it right, fuel up with good foods, and make water your best friend. \

I still struggle with drinking my water, lol…but I’m getting there. Speaking of getting there, after the first race, I couldn’t fathom why anyone would want to run further than 5k; in fact, as dad, the kids and I walked across Frankenmuth ‘ s famous Wooden Covered Bridge, we were looking at all the 10k, half marathon and full marathon stickers on people’s vehicles, and I just couldn’t see running that far. I guess I understand it now, as I’m in the end of my 5th week Half Marathon Plan, and I hope to run my first half 5/9/15.

I’m so grateful for Tommy Taylor, adjusting me once a month and patching me back together when I’m injured, the 5k Crew, who’s and constant encouragement to me and new friends I’ve met through running & fitness sites , Ashley Patton, Stacy Saunders, Angie Yates Koutsunis & and old friends I’ve reconnected with this year and discovered they run too: Sheryl Wheeler Wellman, Jen Henderson, Amy Sherman, and Jodi Grover Sweeney.

I’m also thankful for the community & family support too…I run, alone up and down our road, Cottonwood, 1185, Rt. 3 and from my first 5k to now people are always sending me good luck, well wishes and I know if I needed help out there, they’re there.

Now, how far will I run? I’m not exactly sure, as everytime I’m injured I wonder if I’ll even do another mile, and whenever I recover, like yesterday, those first 2 miles seem so tough…but for now, I plan to do a Virtual 10k race, Saturday, as I can’t find a real one around here in the near future, but I’ll actually be running 7 miles that day, but use the first 6 for the race stats. I hope to remain injury free to run my first half at the Honeysuckle Marathons, in Paintsville, and after that, I’ll likely be bored and start training on a full marathon plan, LOL! I hope to do some trail runs, I’m workimg on incorporating biking into my routine to give my feet/joints a break, and trying to be more avid about practicing Yoga, too for some balance, calmness, and assist in stretches to keep from injury (oh thank you Deborah Pennington, too!)…anyhow…so here’s to another year! GOD BLESS EVERYONE I MEET ALONG MY WAY!

Also, I couldn’t do half of what I do w/o my daughter Grace Carolina A to watch my boys while I run and at most of the races too! Oh, as to the “why I run”, as I said earlier, it started out as a hopeful weight loss quest, and a want to live a good healthy long life for my family. I really want to counteract health problems in my future, I’m not impressed with the cancer I’ve seen in our family, and I just don’t want to become overweight that I can’t keep up with my young boys or future grandchildren. ..I want to be vibrant, energetic & healthy so it’s less stress on them, later, as well as myself!

But also, I’ve come to love running: the challenge of more miles, the way it makes me feel, the time alone to pray and think…I can wants just a good thing all the way around!