Running Beginnings

I started running back in 2009 when I was in grad school. I lived in Austin pretty close to some neat trails and would hit the pavement when classes were finished for the day. I would consider myself a fair-weather runner during that time. If it was too hot, or even a smidge too cold- forget about it. I had done a couple of 5K's, but more for the social aspect of the race.

I started to take running more seriously in 2011. I had just been laid off from my first job out of grad school during a "reorganization" of the company. Albeit, a "sign- of the economy," but as someone a year out of grad school and ambitious my whole life- to say I took the whole thing pretty hard would be an understatement.

I needed a goal. I needed some structure to my days while I searched for my new place in the working world. So, I signed up for a half-marathon scheduled for January 2012. I guess I kind of started cold turkey. I didn't really know much about running, form, distance, etc.. but I had a pretty cool condo up in the hills in Austin, and certainly took advantage of the scenery. My new training regimen allowed me to set goals- both short and long term, and it helped break up the monotony of my days while I searched for a new job. During that time, there was also some transition happening- I knew I would be moving to Houston in the fall of 2011 so my boyfriend could go to dental school, so I needed to figure out transition to a new city as well.

I started off running a couple of days a week- for shorter distances of about two miles at a time. I felt my body slowly adjust. Then, I started to read more about it and talk to some friends who were runners. I would fall in love with it after a good run, and then fall out of love just as quickly during those hot days or bad runs.

I moved to Houston and had to adjust to the humidity. I developed a few migraines after long runs, and I had to adjust my running a bit (more on the migraines in a different post), but I was still on schedule for the Aramco Half-Marathon in January.

I had a running partner- Kristen- and even though we lived in different cities at the time, we held each other accountable for our long runs on the weekend. A running partner comes highly recommended when training for a race (more on that later as well). January crept up on us. The week before the race I got sick with a cold and got bit by a red ant on my ankle (I'm allergic). My ankle swelled up and I was unable to fit my foot in my shoe. The day before the race, I was on the upswing. We were good to go.

My swollen ankle from my red ant bite! Pretty gross.

We went to the runner's expo, where I was amazed at the amount of runners and the support of the running community. We planned the first of an annual carb loading party the night before and got ready for the race. Kristen and I barely slept, and our alarms woke us around 4 a.m. I ate my pre-race breakfast, which to this day, consists of coffee and an orange, and we were on our way.

Our race bag to check in. Mine always contains a fresh pair of socks, a change of clothes, some ibuprofen and lip gloss (can't forget the lip gloss).

 As we waited to line up in our corrals, we were stretching and doing some people watching. I felt very not-hardcore compared to some of the other runners I saw. I was nervous and intimidated. Soon, it was time to line up in our corrals. They said a prayer and the gun went off. It was go time.

Kristen and I started off on our journey. We knew our friends would be there to cheer us on along the route, but it wouldn't be until later in the race. The weather was a bit chilly, but was slated to warm up just perfectly toward the end of the race. We knew we had trained the best we could, and now it was time to run the race. I settled into the run. Houston has some amazing crowd support- the best I've seen- and a ton of runners. There was live music and even some house parties right along the route. Spectators line the course the entire way!!! A great course for a first-time half-marathoner.

About halfway through the run, we happened to see Kim there to cheer us on! Then, we ran into the Tatums-one of which who took a lovely video of us and ran with us for a bit. Before we knew it, we were nearing the end. We finished the race together with a time of 2:19:41. I was in a bit of pain following the race, but I was addicted.

Since then, running has become something near and dear to my heart. I've participated in three half-marathons, a 10k and some 5k's in between. I've certainly learned some lessons along the way. I'm about the run the Aramco  Houston Half-Marathon again on January 19, and this time- I'm going for a PR.

 

Us during the race doing a sic 'em!