My name is Jen, and in October of 2011, I weighed nearly 200 pounds. Given my short stature (4'10"), I was very, very obese and needed to make a permanent change. I had struggled with my weight my entire life, and had never incorporated regular exercise into my life. I had never been athletic, and was always the last kid picked for a team in PE class. But, running had always seemed to me to be the elusive badge of athletic honor. If you were a runner, then you were athletic. You couldn't be that kid picked last anymore - running cancelled that out.
Around the same time, my husband was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol and had all the medication to fix it. But he wanted to change his life instead. So he began running. Short distances at first, and then he got to 3 miles, and wanted to run a 5K. We signed up, and I walked that 5K on November 5, 2011 in 54:40. But, in the back of my mind, and heart, was the desire to be like the runners there. So, I found a Couch to 5K app for my phone and got started.
I was faithful to the program and was so proud as I started, little by little, to run more and more every week. I remember vividly the day in which the program called for me to run 20 minutes without stopping. I was nervous, scared, and worried that I would fail. When the app binged and told me 20 minutes was over, I felt as though I had won a million dollars! I continued my training, and on April 14, 2012, I ran the Sprint into Spring 5K in 44:47 - no walking!
I continued my journey with the goal of running a half marathon by the time I turned 40 in April, 2013. I added miles and my husband, convinced I could do it, encouraged me to sign up for my first half in December, 2012. I completed the Santa Hustle Half Marathon in 2:55:56 and it was exhilarating! I couldn't wait to run another!
Along the way, I have lost 50 pounds, but would like to lose 30 more. I don't know if anyone will ever read this blog, or if it will just be my own personal scrapbook and ramblings, but either way, I'm good. If I could inspire just one person to start running, or even just get active and lose weight, I would feel as though I had given back just a little bit of all the wonderful things that running, and other runner's, have given to me.
Running is an amazing sport. The people are so encouraging and friendly. I have been so grateful for every supportive word or round of applause that I have received from fellow runners as I brought up the rear at the back of the pack. I always worried that I didn't belong, or shouldn't call myself a real runner, because I still don't look like one, but no one I've met in the running community has ever been anything but wonderful.
I dared to start running, and maybe someday, something I share from my journey will help someone out there. It's never too late to start!
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