Am I a Runner?

The past few months, I've tried to get more in shape. Because believe me, there is a big difference between being skinny and in shape. So I decided to run.

I have never, ever, been a runner. In high school when I was asked to be on the cross country or track team I laughed. I hated running to some unknown destination that I couldn't see. I like seeing exactly how far I have to run. That's why I liked soccer. So the fact that I decided to run now seemed crazy to me. But motivation from some people in my ward and family made me decide to run. I started slow and the day I ran a mile without stopping was probably one of my biggest accomplishments up to that time. After that, I just kept pushing.

I started training for a 5K. I got to the point where I could run 2 miles without stopping and so I figured I would do ok. Jesse agreed to run the Dam 5K with me, along with my sisters-in-law Katie and Jocelyn, and my brother-in-law Jordan. It was SO cold that day!

 Katie, Jocelyn, Me, and Jesse

 Me and Jesse

 Me beating Jesse to the finish line :)

 This is my "I can't believe I just did that!" face

Jesse and me. 

My goal was to run it in under 40 minutes and I came in at 35 min and 50 seconds. I can honestly say I couldn't have done it without Jesse. He was so supportive and kept me going the whole way. He helped me keep my pace steady so I didn't get too worn out but pushed me enough to help me do my best. 

After the Dam 5K (that was the actual name of the race, I'm not trying to swear) I slacked off. I had some major blisters that needed to heal and I took probably more time than I should have. But then I convinced myself to get off my lazy butt and start running again. Then last week I had the coolest experience. 

Jesse and I were in Idaho Falls for some business stuff and we were staying in a hotel next to the falls by the IF Temple. There are lots off cool running paths so I woke up early one day and went for a run. I don't know how long I ran, I don't know how far I went, I just ran. I just enjoyed the scenery, of course its hard to beat scenery like this:

Picture from lifesplaybook.wordpress.com

It was so beautiful. It was an awesome experience to just go running and have such beautiful views all around me. 

And today, I pushed myself farther than I have. I ran 4 miles. My personal best. It was hard, but I couldn't be more proud of myself coming from a girl who hated to run and avoided running long distances. Now I can run a mile without stopping and I know I can push myself to go even farther. 

Now I have a confession. Most of my runs involve walking. I'm not the fastest, or the best runner, and I know I never will be. And all of my amazing friends from high school and in my ward who run all the time and now run marathons and half marathons and 10K's all the time just amaze me. I admire and look up to each of them. They motivate me to "try a little harder to be a little better". So now, I love running. I love the energy I have after I run. I love that feeling that I have accomplished something. So I guess now, I am a runner.