I started running long distance my senior year in High School. Was my first time every running any kind of long distances. Always had a great time, maybe not running hills, but the enjoyment and fun our team had. This continued on when I went to Okinawa where I ran my first Half-Marathon. While there ran two Half-Marathons, never trained properly for either one, max miles I ran prior to any race was eight miles. Finishing times were about 2 hours, not to bad!!
Not until moving to Korea is when I became I would say a bit of fanatic. Have to thank a great friend Sarah, who a marathoner herself, invited me on a long run. Once again hadn't really built up to the 6 mile run, but wasn't so bad. That was the beginning. I started running non-stop in Korea same 6 mile loop about 5-6 times a week. (learned now, not the best training strategy) Either way, lead me to my best 5K 21 and something minutes, 1.5 mi run in 10:23, and best so far Half-Marathon 1:46 min.
Moving to Germany, I slowed my running, running 5 miles occasionally and enjoying 5K's
Moving to Colorado Springs, we read of the high fitness level that the city/state held. Can be seen with the large number of events taking place each weekend.
About a month after arriving in Colorado, I ran my first 5K here in our small town of Falcon. I was in the top three female's to finish, and was a great start to running in Colorado.
Running here can be a bit more difficult due to the higher elevation, it is important to train slowly and adjust to the elevation.
Panera Run was a 10K which all proceeds went to help Care and Share Food Bank/Shelter. This was a 10K ran in Colorado Springs on a combination of gravel and black-top trails.
The color in motion 5K was something I signed up for on a whim. This is a not a run you want to run a PR at, but to have fun. Seen in my picture, my shirt was colored following the run.
The Denver Rock N' Roll Half-Marathon is something that I signed up for prior to moving to Colorado. I started training in July for the Marathon in October. I trained well up to 7-miles, at this time my work scheduled changed and the training I did not complete throughout the rest of the months.
The final run, this year was also on a whim. I heard about this 5K on the radio, and the attempt to set a world record on the number of Waldos. All dressed in costume! The world record was not beat, but we had a great time running the Waldo Waldo 5K. This was held at the America the Beautiful park in Colorado Springs.
Have a schedule of events to complete this coming year, the first starting in January. Arizona here we come. Running the Phoenix Rock N' Roll Half-Marathon. I have never been to Arizona, so look forward to visiting a new city, and having a great run. Only issue I for see is the snow and cold in Colorado keeping me from running my long runs!! I have a great running partner in Logan, and a motivator, keeping me accountable in my friend Molly, who is also training for this Half Marathon.
