Passion for Running

Finishing my first half marathon
Prison Break, 2008

my neighbor & friend, David, & I after finishing my first half

Five years ago I gave birth to our youngest child, Reagan.  She was our fourth & we were so excited for her to join our family.  She is a fun & sweet girl & she will always hold a special place in my heart because she is, & always will be, my baby.

After my husband & I went in for her ultrasound, I knew, without a doubt, that our family was complete...Reagan would be our last.  Two thoughts flooded my mind.  First, relief.  Never again would I have to experience 3-4 months of nausea & feeling totally crappy, tired, emotional...9 months of feeling like I was living on the outside watching everyone else live their happy, healthy lives.  Next thought was, "what do I do now?"  I know...crazy thought...since I had 4 children to raise.  But, I really did feel a little lost.

When I had my oldest, Ernie, I was young & always planned my life around the kids I had & when we were going to plan to have our next one.  I was so focused on them that I never took care of myself.  I hardly wore makeup, never really felt like I wore the latest style, & I NEVER made time to exercise.

Now, here I was...reaching the end of a stage...birthing children.  I instantly felt old, even though I was only 32.  Being overweight (not able to get the weight off from my 3rd & 4th baby) didn't help either.  So, 6 months after Reagan was born, I really felt like I had adjusted (if there ever is such a thing) to having 4 kids & I starting feeling freedom & a desire to take care of ME!!!

I started an exercise routine (with the help of Greg) of lifting weights & cardio.  Joining a gym was intimidating to me, so I bought some hand held weights & an exercise bike & worked out consistently at home.  5 weeks in, I enhanced my diet & I started loosing weight & fast.  I was HOOKED!!!!!  I felt better &, for the first time, I really felt like I could focus on me...not just the kids.

I became addicted to exercising & looked forward to it everyday.  After loosing close to 30 lbs. & finally getting in shape, I decided I would take a leap & go for a run.  My husband has been running since I've known him & I had always envied him for that.  (I should note that I had tried running in the past & HATED IT!!!!)  My goal was to see if I could run 2 miles.  Well, to make a long story short, I did & I loved it!!!!

There really is nothing like running.  It is a sport that I can do just for me.  I can go early in the morning, before the madness of the day begins.  I can listen to whatever songs I want, as loud as I want, & I can run anywhere I want & for as long as I want.  It is all about me.  I can think clearly without any distractions.  I can feel my heart pumping & I get such a high!!!  When I finish a run, I love that feeling of complete exhaustion.  Biking & swimming are great workouts, but they don't come close to making me feel the way running does.  I could go on & on about my love for this sport, but really, when it comes down to it, I have such a passion for running!

Mary Jo