It all started for me like for so many others....back in high school. I came to a huge public school of over 1300 students...from my own school of only 2. This is because I was homeschooled for 9 years, and jumping into this new life was like arriving on a new planet. I had so much to learn and experience.
But when I got to the public school and saw the track and field girls in my biology class so excited about shot put and discus, and the season coming up...that I made up my mind to take a chance and go out for it the next season, which was my Junior year.
I still recall being so embarrassed to run in front of people (due to my lack of endurance and stamina), that I began out hobbling painfully and breathlessly in the alley behind my grandparents' home (whom I lived with at the time). By the end of that summer, I was running after work for up to an hour, and on some of the hilliest courses you could find in the Morningside area of Sioux City.
The cross country coaches somehow found out, and begged me to go out for the team, but, nervous that my grades would slip, I made up my mind to stick only to track (for the first time around at least) in the Spring instead...when my course load & work schedule allowed me more time anyway. When track season came, I was so excited...and may I add, nervous? I had just figured that I would join the sprinters...despite the fact that I had been distance running for months. What was I thinking?!?!?! Glad that I didn't follow the rest of the girls over to the "sprinters" section of the auditorium, and listened to the coach beg for more distance runners.....
And there begins my story......
I never made it to state during those years, and I probably wouldn't even now. Those girls who make it are quite amazing!
All I know is that I love this sport,...especially distance running, and it has taken me more places and had me meet more amazing, wonderful people than I would have ever dreamed about! My latest and greatest accomplishment and dream-come-true was my PR at the 2008 Boston Marathon, where I ran a 3:26.35. I NEVER thought a time like that would be possible for someone like me, and, although I hope it never gets to my head, I want it to help boost my confidence and drive me to the Women's Olympic Marathon Trials someday.
I have run countless 5Ks, 8Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, 20Ks, half-marathons, and by the end of this year, I will complete my goal of running 10 marathons since I started back at age 19 in 2003.
My dream lives on...and continues to grow and expand....and this is something I have found I want to do for the rest of my life, if God lets me. If not, then I'll help people fulfill and reach their own dreams and goals in running. I aspire to be one of those crazy, yet awesome people who looks back over her life and has run 60 plus marathons and can recall all of the wonderful adventures and people she has met and befriended, all because she was inspired...by people like you.