Running and the Journey!

***Just to preface for once this post will not be about my kids...shocker I know (ha ha ha!)

Well I am just over a month away from the St. George marathon and I have been doing some reflecting about what it is that I love so much about running. I don't love the waking up early but I love the feeling after I finish. I don't love being a seriously sweaty mess but I do love feeling like I have earned my breakfast for the day. I don't love sore knees and feeling like my body is telling me I am not 16 anymore but I also love feeling sore and knowing that I can still run every day. I love the therapy sessions with friends, and discussing and finding out that I am not as bad of a mother as I sometimes feel. Or that I am not the only one with certain issues. I love the feeling of accomplishment as well as how much happier I am the days I run. I love the health benefits but for me it is so much more a mental help (honestly!)

My running journey started young. I can remember waking up at 6:00 am in Jr. High to go and work out before school with my dad. I would run on the treadmill...and I couldn't tell ya how fast or far but I knew I loved the feeling I had. I wouldn't say I was consistent by any means but for a 13yr old I guess I knew that me and running were in it for the long haul!

By high school all running was put almost a complete stop as Dance took over my life. Instead of waking up early to run I was waking up early for Drill and Dance company. I would occasionally run but other things took over my life like competitions, dances, boys (well one boy in particular...but he occupied a lot of my time, guess some things never change)

In college running and I got re-acquainted I moved to Boise my freshmen year to dance on the Boise State Drill team. To say I didn't love my freshmen year would be an understatement but I did find my love of running. I would leave my house after classes and run as far as I could before it got dark. I loved running in a new an unfamiliar place. I loved seeing Boise from a different point of view and I especially loved running the green belt. A beautiful track that runs along the river that takes you through the better part of Boise. I loved seeing the wildlife, as well as all the other runners, bikers, bladers. I saw a few things on my run like when a student on a bike accidentally ran over a squirrel which exploded all over the kid. It was totally disgusting but I actually made a friend out of it (we later found out we had an English class together, and we stayed in contact after I moved home to SLC.)

Once I moved home and to Provo my love of running continued. After a couple of years of inconsistent running I decided to run a marathon. So I ran, and ran and ran...I rarely new how far but it was never more then the 1/2 marathon's I did. Looking back I was young, and obviously a little clueless. I only wish I could do that now. I ran the 1st marathon with Chris, who had only been home off of his mission for a couple of weeks and hit two brothers. My second marathon I did after I had kids, I ran it with my BFF Meg and again I never ran further then the 13.1 miles I did at my 1/2 marathons. The second one was much more difficult and I finished 30 minutes later then my first time...but at least I finished.

After having kids I thought I will never run a marathon again. There is way too much time involved and when would I find the time. I found a running buddy that whipped my butt into shape (thanks Jill) and at least got me loving running again. I started to find that I needed the running for the outlet more then anything else...and I started calling it my therapy session. Jill will always hold a special place in my heart (for many reasons...she is just a very amazing person all around and I felt lucky to get to know her so well on our runs!)

Then came Audrey and came the drive...Marathon time again. Lucky for me I have a sister-in-law that talked me into it, and a neighbor to train with. This time around I have actually trained. I just finished running 18 miles this morning and I can honestly say I loved every second of it. I loved the hills and the unexpected pit stops and getting lost there for a min. I loved it all. I am so excited for the marathon, I don't know that I will ever beat my first marathon time but I will be so happy to finish the marathon and know I got a few new running buddies along the way. All in all running I believe will always be apart of my life, and as long as my body is able I am grateful to be able to get out their and RUN!!!