Happy Anniversary to Me!!

Hey guess what everybody?...It's now officially been one year since I became a runner....wooo hooo!!

In March of 2012, I participated in a little race on campus called "Campus on the Run".  I've done this race many times in the past, but last year it was special.  It was the first race to start off my journey as a "real runner".

Fast forward 1 year later....Look where I am now???  I'm still running.  I've changed my life, my health, and my outlook....Who knew??

I was super excited to run this race again this morning.  I was thinking...this will be a true test.  I will be able to see how much progression I have had over this last year and this should be cake.  I've been running for an entire year now..I'm stronger and I'm much faster. 

All those things are true, but I was wrong!  The race today was still hard and very much a challenge for me.  Let me explain :)

Before the race, I was talking to my friend Joe.  We were talking about our goal times and the route.  I told Joe, just follow the people in front of you....they will know where to go. The organizers of the race changed the route....what??  It's always the same route, but not today.  I didn't realize that the route had changed until after I was already running.  I was following all of the other runners in front of me and then..wait...you're all going the wrong way :(

This new route felt like it was uphill both ways (we can say that in Pullman because it's true).  I just had to say to myself...Denise, just keep going.  No matter what!  Just trudge up the hills, you can do it.

After about the first mile, I got a little tap on my shoulder.  I turned to see my friend Kristi running along side of me.  It was nice to see a friendly face.  Kristi explained that she had not ran since last October.  Her goal today was to just finish and not stop.  We looked at each other and said...we can do this!  I was happy to have someone beside me.  It's easier to keep running up hills when you have someone else trudging along with you. 

Hills are rough on my lungs.  I don't know what it is, but sometimes I feel like I can't breathe.  I have trouble getting a nice, big breath.  It happened again today.  Kristi and I were running up another long hill...I had to stop.  I just needed to catch my breathe.  I told Kristi to keep going.  I would start again in a second.

I did catch my breath and motivated myself to start again.  At this point, I only had 1 miles left.  No problem!  I didn't let myself stop again....I had to finish strong.

When I came across the finish line, I saw Joe and his son cheering me on.  I also saw Kristi with a nice big smile.  Thanks to both of you for helping to inspire and motivate me today!!

My official time was 39:38.  It's not my best 5K time over this past year, but you know what???  It's still faster than this same race last year (41:48) with what I considered to be a harder new course.

This journey has not been easy.  In fact, it's been alot of hard work.  But it's also been extremely rewarding and makes me happy.  I'm excited to see what year 2 will bring :)

Up next:  100K Relay in April....go Global Grrrrlz!!

BTW....119.81 of 500 miles are DONE!!

P.S.  Kerri...I missed you today, but I know you were there in spirit.  Run on Spartan!