How Running Has Changed My Life

So, I'm a runner now.

Most of my life I could barely run a mile without great exertion and much coughing and aching of thighs. I'm not sure how or why, but I spontaneously ran a 5K in April 2012—and got high off racing. Afterward I signed up for a 10K, then the grand sport of recreational running took me for its own.

Three half marathons later, my life is quite different. While I'm still a beginner running a slow mile, the sport has made me a new woman. Running isn't for everyone—but it certainly is for me.

Here's how my life is different since I became a runner (bragging will follow, FYI):

1. I run (duh).
Running is a part of my life. Going for a run ain't no grand thang; it's a daily habit. I never question if I'll go, but when and how long. I don't not run, except when I need to rest or cross train. Sometimes I'm too busy or tired, but that's an exception to my routine. I'm not the best or the fastest or the fittest, but I run, and that's awesome.

2. I have a hobby (and significantly less money).
When people ask what I do with my time, I now have a ready answer. And I have lotsa new toys: My running shoes are the most expensive shoes in my closet, I have a cool running GPS watch, and I spend all my monies on race registrations. I probably go through a set of ear buds a month, and I've worn out two iPod arm bands.

3. I have muscles. And they all hurt.
You can touch my calves if you want. They are solid, sexy rocks of muscleness. And they are usually tight or sore. (Good thing I have a foam roller and The Stick.) My early running days acquainted me closely with DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)—muscles ached that I didn't even know existed. I hurt less now that I'm in better shape, but I've just comes to terms with always being sore at least somewhere (now it's my left upper hamstring). Yay running body!

4. I can't hate on my body.
Fact: You don't have to be skinny to be a runner. Who knew? Skinniness doesn't mean fitness. My body is not its ideal size, but it can do amazing things. Last Saturday I ran eight miles. Eight! In races, I've soared past runners 15 to 20 lbs lighter than me. I still feel a bit self-conscious about my glorious thunder thighs, and I don't look much like a runner. But I can't hate on my body anymore; it's just too awesome.

5. I have eternal bragging rights.
Running makes me feel powerful. I can conquer distances and hills that once made me want to curl in the fetal position and cry. AND, best of all, I get to brag about it on Facebook and bask in the ensuing "Likes."  

6. My hair is always wet. 
Free time is harder to find, and I miss it very much. Long runs take between one and two hours, and with my coming marathon training, they're gonna get longer. Also, running necessitates showers and grooming rituals before I'm ready for human company. Many evenings involve rushing out of work, running three to four miles, showering like mad woman, throwing on clothes and sometimes makeup, and eating an apple or something if I'm lucky before heading to FHE, dinner group, Institute, etc. As for drying my hair? Ain't nobody got time fo dat.

7. I eat better.
Running makes my body feel happy and healthy. Which makes me want to eat good foods, so my body can continue to feel happy and healthy. Doesn't always happen, but it helps :-)

8. I have more friends. 
I became friends with my bestie Bryce because he wanted to run the Freedom Run with me. I also got to know another dear friendy by making him go running with me. Racing and training with friends helps us become better friends. It's not about competition; we have different goals but cross the same finish line. Having people to cheer me or to cheer for makes races so much more happier.

The Freedom Run 10K in 2012 with Bryce, Marissa, Beau, and Laura

9. I have a happier brain.
Running away angst has been a huge blessing. Running time = thinking time, angsting time, escaping time, me time. The monotony of running is so soothing. I have no idea how I survived life before I started running.

Well, hopefully I've convinced you all to take up running ... or maybe not, haha. Last night I signed up for my first marathon, the Utah Valley Marathon. I'm a crazy woman—I'm freaking terrified of the 26.2, and of the training involved. Hopefully I can handle it :-)

Anyway, let me know if you want a race buddy next year :-)

Cheers and happy runnings!

Looking Forward

It's time to say good-bye to another year.

Already?!?

Yep. Cray cray.

This time last year I did a nice little summary of 12 major life events in 2012; those kinds of lists popped up all over news outlets and social media. As they are this year, and probably will continue to be as long as people like to read things. Even Facebook has a fancy little app that lists the top 13 events of your year, in case you can't figure it out for yourself.

I, however, will not be making such a list for 2013. This year has been hard, but full of good things too: I moved, learned new cooking skillz, ran two half marathons, actually wrote in my blog, finally got a smart phone, went to my bestie's wedding, won free cat food, etc. But for my New Year's post his year I want to look forward—to believe and hope for all the good things to come.

Elder Holland gave a fabulous New Year's talk at BYU a few years ago (the Mormon Message video version is embedded below). He retold the story of Lot's Wife, the lady who turned to salt because she looked back at a city she and her family were fleeing. Her sin was not necessarily looking back, but wanting to go back—not believing that the Lord could give her something better than what she had in the past.

Here's a highlight from the talk:

As a new year begins and we try to benefit from a proper view of what has gone before, I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives.

This year, I didn't set resolutions—I developed a vision of what I want to see in the coming year. In the vein of Elder Holland's wisdom, here are four blessings and events I'm looking forward to in 2014:

1. A Master's Degree.

My baby sister is headed to BYU in the fall. As I helped potty train her, I don't fancy the idea of being her classmate, so I need to graduate in August :-) All I have to finish is my thesis, and that's moving along at a glacial pace—I got stalled by work and stressful life events. BUT I am committing here to make finishing my degree a priority this year. It's past time for me to grow up and get out of school.

2. A Marathon.

Yep, this is how you know I'm crazy :-) I've already ran three half marathons and lots of shorter races. I'm young, I'm healthy, I'm single. I'm in good shape. The coming year is the perfect time for me to tackle this holy grail of running awesomeness. I'm all signed up for the Utah Valley Marathon in June. Maybe after that I'll work toward a triathlon—if marathoning doesn't kill all of my interest in moving my body.

3. A Real Job.
After I accomplish goal No. 1, it will be time for me to be an adult and get an adult job. I'm a bit nervous about the prospect, but oddly calm—the Lord's helped me out in this area in the past; I have faith that the future will be nothing to fear. To prepare for job finding (and getting), I'm setting a budget to help me conserve monies and resources.

4. Family History.
My current Church assignment has me researching my family line hand teaching others how to do the same. I love this work—I want to dedicate more time to it and make it a lifelong hobby. Of course, alongside this goal, I will work toward upping my temple attendance.

Nothing too fancy, but this is where I want to focus in 2014. These are simple things (mostly) within my own control. I'm sure many more good and happy things will come my way next year, and more in the years after :-)

Happy New Year to all my friendies.