Three years ago today I went for a run.
It was not a long run (barely two miles).
It was not a fast run (probably took me about 27 minutes).
It certainly was not an impressive run (and there was lots of walking, and lots of huffing and puffing).
But it was the most important run I ever went on, because it was the FIRST run I ever went on.
Three
years ago today I had lost about 25 pounds in four months, at the
beginning of my journey to get healthy and take care of myself. I was
sick and tired of work out videos and the Wii Fit, and on a whim decided
to head outside and try to go for a run. I had never gone on a run before - I had never run in school or for recreation. But I thought that I surely could
make it around the two-mile loop from my house. I was wrong. I was
humbled. I was exhausted. I was HOOKED. I was determined.
I
went back out the next day. And the day after that. I was set on making it
around that two mile loop, running the whole way. Running was HARD. My
body was crazy sore. I was still overweight and I was slow. And yet I
loved it. I loved heading out the door early in the morning and being on
my own and free. I loved the feeling of running down the road. I loved
the challenge. I loved the feeling I had after a run. Something inside me clicked.
I
kept at it. Pretty soon I found that I could run that two mile loop
without walking. So I decided to try and run three miles. I signed up
for a 5k. I finished in 32 minutes and found that I LOVED racing. I
pushed myself to be faster. I ate better. I lost more weight. I read
lots of books about running. I bought real running shoes. I kept going out and running day after day, and kept pushing myself to go further and faster.
Three years ago -
if you had told me that I would run eight marathons in less than 3 year's time...
if you told me that I would qualify for Boston in half of those marathons...
if you told me I would run seven days a week, have 85+ mile weeks and 300+ mile months...
if you told me I would lose over 75lbs...
if you told me I would consider myself an athlete...
if you told me I would be sponsored by Brooks...
if you told me I would have a goal of running in the Olympic Marathon Trials...
if you told me I would be in Runner's World magazine...
if you told me I would run fast...
if you told me I would organize a running club...
if you told me I would be an active member in the online running community...
if you told me I would meet all kinds of amazing and inspiring runners (and friends)...
if you told me I would be the one giving advice and encouragement to lots of beginners...
if you told me I would believe in myself as a person and a runner...
I
never would have believed any of it. Three years ago I was an overweight girl that
couldn't even run a mile at once. And yet I did all of those things
listed above and many more in three short years.
And that is a large part of why, even though I have a long way to
go and a lot of work to do to be able to qualify for the 2016 Olympic
Marathon Trials, I am feeling confident. I have shown myself that with
determination, commitment, consistency, effort, dedication, heart, faith, and lots of
hard work, I can achieve a lot in three years.
Three years ago today, I became a runner.
Bring on the next three years. :)
30 comments:
Happy Anniversary Erin! You have literally covered more ground in 3 years than most people do in a lifetime.
I'm so impressed and inspired by your journey and the determination required to accomplish as much as you have.
I look forward to playing a small role in your next major accomplishment. I have all the confidence in the world in you because YOU have proven what a person is truly capable of accomplishing when they have endless determiniation!
It's a honor to be your coach!
Rick
Congratulations sweetheart. Anniversaries like this help to put the past in perspective. I remember what it was like and how it felt three years ago. I have been privileged to see and witness your transformation since the beginning. You have always been my inspiration, in every aspect of life. We are all anxious to see what your next accomplishment will be. I am grateful to be living it with you. I love you.
Congratulations on coming so far in 3 years!!! Your determination has paid off in so many ways and I can't wait to follow your journey over the next few years as you go for your goal! Good luck and happy runiversary!
That's really amazing! I love hearing about your determination. You want to do something, so you work hard and achieve it. Congrats on all you have achieved in three years, and have fun pursuing your dreams in the years to come!
Your words drip with determination that no matter what obstacle is put in your way, you WILL find a way! It has been an inspiring 3 years....and I don't see an end in sight for you!!!
Love love love this!!! You are amazing and an inspirational example to us all. I am so glad you took those steps three years ago and am so blessed to call you my friend. I look forward to cheering you on in all of your adventures going forward. I am most looking forward to watching you MEET and EXCEED all your wildest dreams and expectations. You absolutely have what it takes. Thanks for sharing your passion with us. Love you!
Thank you for being an inspiration to us all...and showing us first hand that ANYBODY can achieve what they want if they put their mind to it and bleieve in themselves!
It is exciting and motivating to follow your journey...thanks for sharing it with us!
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Love everything about this. :) You rock.
This seriously brought tears to my eyes. I think the part that really hit me was "I kept at it". That's the part I am not good at and need to learn - and I'm learning it daily from you and inspired always. You rock. Can't wait to see what else these 3 years bring you!!
Amazing accomplishments!!!!
You are living proof there is NO EXCUSE valid enough to put off being fit and healthy.
Awesome encouragement! Well done!
Can't wait to see what you do next : )
You inspire me everyday! Congratulations on all of your accomplishments so far. I can't wait to see what you do in the future!
Your story is so inspiring, one of my favorite runners to follow! It's just amazing to think that in only 3 years you have achieved so much with regard to this sport. It goes to show what all can be accomplished with hard word and perseverance. I'm approaching a "runnerversary" soon myself, 1 year this July. And approaching my first half marathon in 2 weeks. Thank you for all of your inspiration to us moms!
LOVE LOVE LOVE. omg. best post i have read in a long while. it just spoke to me. every time i comment i wish i could put into words the inspiration you have been to me. i often feel like things happen for a reason and im so glad that a random lil secret santa fun could bring me to your blog. reading your story makes me feel like my "great" is still out there...I don't know what it is yet. But I feel like I can be good at something and have a lot of hope. Maybe its this ultra thing. I don't know. But your blog and YOU are full of hope and inspiration for me to keep working and along the way I will discover what is truly me :) Thanks for that! Congrats on an incredible 3 years and here is to an incredible PRESENT and FUTURE!
I think it's wonderful that your coach and husband were the first people to comment on this post.
YES! Look how far you've come in three years. You can go VERY far in the next three. I'm excited for you. And congratulations.
I'm an emotional mess! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!
You story is very inspirational. Thank you for sharing. It's extremely impressive how much you have accomplished in a short time and you are setting a wonderful example for your family and others.
Happy Anniversary!
Incredible testimony and such encouragement, thank you and way to go!
I remember when you began your journey to health. I was a regular reader of your family blog and you inspired me then but seeing all you've accomplished in such a short amount of time inspires all the more! I've recently started my running journey and I LOVE it! I know that if I continue to keep at it I will meet and exceed my fitness goals because you've proven that to me through your journey.
Thank you Erin for setting the pace for the rest of us!!
Awesome post, thanks for sharing this to us. Looking forward always for more updates, Congratulations for a great job well done in your long run marathon.
Amazed by how far you've come in *just* 3 years! Truly incredible, you have a gift! Well, you have many of them, running is one :)
Brought tears to my eyes...congratulations!!
I had tears in my eyes reading your post, then I read the comments from Coach Rick and from Josh and am crying.
You're great Erin! Happy Runniversary and thank you so much that you're sharing your journey with us and inspire us!
what a great post. you have worked hard, have been disciplined and consistent. the sky is the limit when you have all 3 of those things going for you. :)
You are incredible and inspiring!! I completely understand and hope to be as fast as you someday.
I have just recently started running again after a 16 year break and am enjoying your blog! We share a goal, an olympic trial qualifying time. This blogging nonsense is new to me, this is my 1st comment and I have just started my own blog. The transformation into running geek is complete :D
Cool :) Happy Running anniversary! I'm sure the next three years will be just as special :)
Cool :) Happy Running anniversary! I'm sure the next three years will be just as special :)
My friend told me about your blog - you are so inspiring.
I ran my first mile in December 2009 and fell in love. Still a little more weight to lose, and not running nearly as much as you, but I am inspired by your story that I will be doing that half someday. :)
Congrats on three years and keep it up!
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