I'm a Runner!

Yep, it's true..I'M A RUNNER!  Though I have run since I can remember with my Mom down our country roads, I have never said it out load..I'M A RUNNER :) I am not a professional runner by any means whatsoever...but i'm a runner.  I run to stay healthy.  I run to stay SANE in this crazy world.  I run for myself.  I run to push every limit of my body and brain.  I run to have me time.  I run to enjoy this crazy world that God has put before me.  I'm a runner.  Running has and will always be a big part of my life, because I have come to realize that it's a part of me.  Every day, except maybe one or two days out of the week, i'm out there running.  Even when i'm not training for my next half or full marathon you will see me enjoying the world, or treadmill when the weather is not cooperating, by running.  In this past year or so, I stopped scheduling running around everything, but have scheduled my to do list(s)/personal activities around running .  Some people may not understand this or agree with it for that matter, but they aren't living in my shoes.  My shoes are meant for being outside and running, not for sitting in the inside and letting life pass me by.  During my training for the Marathon I have had to turn down dinner get togethers', nights out at the bar, and weekend getaways with friends...But its a choice I have to make..It's a choice to run 26.2 miles, and it's a choice I absolutely LOVE.    Running is my passion.  For some people it's reading, making crafts, traveling, or maybe playing a sport.. But mine is what my title of my blog is all about.. RUNNING :)  Currently I'm training for my 2nd Full Marathon, 26.2 miles, in the lovely city of New Orleans in March.  Running a full marathon is something I always hoped to do, but never thought possible.  But on April 30, 2011 I made it possible...I ran 26.2 miles in 4 hours, yes you read that right..hours, and one minute.  (i'm still pissed about the minute)  It was a feeling that can't be described..All you can do is raise your hands and say "Thank you God"  That is why I have decided to run this one coming up in less than 2 months!  The weekend of the race is a very important weekend for me.  It's the weekend of my 25th, quarter of a century, half way to 50 BIRTHDAY.  It's also the weekend of  my Dad's 60th birthday..which i didn't tell you that ;)  It's also the first full marathon for my boyfriend, Andrew!  I'm so excited to share my passion with him and for us to run this together!  This weekend is also the first birthday weekend that I won't be going out to the bars and drinking/celebrating Pic's birthday bash away with friends..but I will be sleeping in a hotel room with my family anxiously dreaming about the morning to come.  This will probably come as a huge surprise to people who knew me through college, but life has changed over the past year and half...(blog to that nature to come soon)  But I can't tell you how excited I am.  A full marathon plus time with my family sounds like the most amazing weekend..(yes i'm a crazy but i love it) My life has done a 180 and I couldn't be happier..The one thing that hasn't changed though is my LOVE/PASSION for RUNNING..So as you have probably guessed by now....I'm a Runner :)

A picture after my first mini-marathon in Louisville with my Mom..My inspiration for running :)

After 4 hours and 1 minute I completed 26.2 miles :)

.God. Bless.