I don't have some amazing story, just an average girl who decided to make some small changes in my life and continues to learn more each day. So many people say it, but I'll say it too...if I can do it, anyone can.
Here's a picture of me in 2002, at age 21 and one in 2010 at age 29.
I assume you can see a difference here to the tune of 50+ pounds. I've changed more emotionally over the years than physically though. Growing up, I pretty much hated anything physical. I couldn't run and I failed my high school gym final where I was supposed to run a mile. I should also point out that I'm shy...I stayed at home and lived in my own little world.
I skipped my senior year of high school opting instead to attend the local community college. I thought all I needed was to get out of the small town I lived in and on with my life. I went off to Tennessee for college where I majored in the recording industry. My shyness and lack of self esteem kept me from doing a lot.
So, college didn't change anything about myself and I found myself at age 20 with my bachelor's degree and still no clue what I wanted to do with my life. That's where things started to change. I met my now husband there. Jobs changed, locations changed and eventually we were living together. My confidence grew over the years but I was at my heaviest at this time too.
Then, I had my moment. I'll never forget it. I was shopping and realized I was going to have to go up a size...again. I refused. I started changing the way I ate. I started tracking what I ate and I started realizing how terrible I ate. Then, I started exercising with workout videos. I also started using the treadmill and elliptical at the apartment complex where we lived. Soon, the weight dropped. My lifestyle had changed.
In 2009, my husband seemed interested in trying a 5K so I signed us up for a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. He wanted a goal to work towards. This is when I changed my thoughts on running. I had been exercising to keep the weight off for awhile but I never pushed myself beyond that. After that first 5K, I wanted another. That led to a 5 miler, half marathon and a marathon, all within a year. After the first year, I switched to ultras for a bit and have run several trail races up to 50 miles.
In 2010, I had an idea to combine my new passion for running with my other passion, helping animals. It took awhile to act on the idea but in 2012, Miles and Mutts launched, a program to run with shelter dogs. Running is an activity that you can always pay forward in some way.
Thanks for reading,
RUN ON!
E-mail me at: highermiles@gmail.com
