Running for a Cause

Several of my friends & family (and, you!) asked me if I was going to keep running after I ran the Nike Women's Half Marathon in October.

(You can read about my race experience HERE)

I started training for that 1/2 marathon in July.....after a 10 year running hiatus.

You see, I used to run all the time. I was a runner (and soccer player) in high school and college.

After I graduated college, I kept running. 

Kevin and I ran together almost everyday after work when we first became friends & then started to date.  He actually proposed to me when we were on a run...up in the hills. 

Running was a big part of my life.

Then in 2005, we decided to start trying for a family.

Summer of 2005 was the last time I ran.

I got pregnant in September 2005 and then had a miscarriage at 10 weeks in October 2005. 

I was in a funk for several months & then in May 2006 I found out I was pregnant with Kate.

Even after my pregnancy with Kate I didn't start running. 

Then when Kate was 11 months old, I became pregnant with Claire.

These were my excuses:

"I'm nursing....it will hurt to run with all that milk in the ladies"

 "I'm too tired"

"I don't have enough time"

"I'm too out of shape"

"I don't want to"

Kevin would beg for me to run, when we moved into our current house, it backs up to a running trail. I promised him we would start running together.

I broke my promise....I kept making excuse after excuse on why I couldn't run. 

Again, these were my excuses:

 "I'm too tired"

"I don't have enough time"

"The jogging stroller is too heavy to run with"

"I'm too out of shape"

Again, these were all excuses & lies that I was telling myself.

I did have the time, I just wasn't making it a priority to work out & run.

But, the real reason I wasn't running was because of 2 things:

PRIDE & FEAR.

I had too much Pride to start running again because I knew that I wasn't the runner that I used to be. When I was in my teens & early 20's I was a really fast runner. 

(I still hold a school record in track at my high school) 

I had too much pride to start running again because I knew that I wasn't going to be as fast as I used to be. 

It was also Fear. 

I was scared to start running again because I know how much it hurts to start from scratch.

You are so sore those first few weeks back.

I was fearful of the pain & also fearful that I would be slow.

I knew that taking years of running off, plus having 3 kids & now being in my 30's would mean that I would be slower. 

It was pride & fear getting in the way of starting to run again. 

Thankfully, I FINALLY pushed that aside when my friends Jackie & Steph asked me to sign up for the Nike Women's 1/2 marathon. I actually laughed when they asked me & said "No Way"

Then I realized it was a lottery to get in, so even if I signed up with them, we might not get in. 

I decided to humor them & agreed to sign up for the lottery with them.

Imagine my shock when we got in. 

 We got in for a reason, so I needed to suck it up, swallow my pride & fear and start running again.
So on July 16th, I started running again.
The first couple of weeks running were pretty brutal.
I was sore & I was winded.
I was SO out of shape.
But, I kept running.
As the weeks of training turned into months of training, it became easier & easier to run.
I was enjoying it and I felt stronger and fitter.
I couldn't believe I wasted 10 years of NOT running.

When October 18 arrived & it was time for the Half Marathon, I was ready, I had trained hard for 3 months.  The race was hard, but amazing...lots of hills. But, when I crossed the finish line, I had tears in my eyes...I had done it. I ran a half marathon. It was a great feeling.

After the 1/2 marathon I didn't run for 2 weeks because I hurt my left knee at mile 11...it was all downhill. Those 2 weeks that I took off, I was missing running! I couldn't wait to start running again.
It made me realize what a waste those past 10 years had been...I could have been running for 10 years, but instead I made excuse after excuse.

It made me realize that I didn't want to make excuses any more.
So,  a few weeks ago when my older sister asked me to join Team World Vision and run another 1/2 marathon in December, I knew I couldn't say No.

My sister Elyse has been running with Team World Vision for several years.
World Vision is a non profit organization and Team World Vision is a team of runners & a community of people helping each other get to the finish line while changing lives around the world.
My sister has done many races with Team World Vision, including the Chicago Marathon in October.

I always donate to her runs, but now I joining her and running the Walnut Creek 1/2 Marathon on December 12th with Team World Vision.

My goal is to raise $1310, which is $100 for every mile I run...13.1 miles.
A $50 donation will provide clean water for LIFE for 1 person.

Water changes the lives of children in Africa.
They have better health, improved nutrition, and can go to school instead of spending the day fetching water. Through World Vision’s comprehensive and sustainable water projects across Africa, $50 will provide clean water for one person for a lifetime.
 
If you can't donate $50, any amount helps....$5, $10, $15, $20, $25, etc.
Would you be willing to give up your Starbucks money one day and donate $5 to my run?
All donations are tax deductible.

You can donate {HERE} on my fundraising page.

In October I ran my first 1/2 marathon for myself, but on December 12th, I am running for something bigger & better than myself.

 I am running for a cause.
I am running for those who can't run & for those who don't have access to water.
I am running for others. I am running for water. I am running for life.