The First Race

I thought that as I start this blog out, I will document some of the races I've done in the past - to see how far I've come and to see how far I have left to go.

This is me after my first ever race. Thanksgiving Day, November 2009. The Cottonwood Heights 5k.

Please note a couple of things that make me chuckle:

1) The older gentleman behind me - yep, I finished about 2 seconds before him. I am not a fast runner. At all.

2) Note the older woman a few yards back. Did I mention I'm slow??

3) My complete lack of running gear - I ran in a long-sleeved Sounders shirt, basketball shorts and knee socks. Hot!

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I decided that I wanted to become a runner. After running a little bit off and on at the rec center (okay, let's be honest - a LOT more off than on), I decided to switch things up a bit. What better way than to run a 5k? I found one close to home and registered, not knowing at all what I was getting into. I remember being up late the night before the race, worrying about being the absolute last person to cross the finish line. Worrying about being too cold. Worrying about running outside since I'd only really ever run on the treadmill. Worrying about if I couldn't run the whole way. A whole lot of worry.

I don't remember a whole lot about the race, but I do remember that I finished with a time of 33:21. Which I was (and am) proud of. You have to start somewhere. For my first race, for being nervous and for never having run more than two miles at a time (yeah...my training wasn't so great), I thought I did pretty well. The sense of accomplishment I felt when I crossed the finish line and found my mom waiting there for me was amazing. It's so cheesy, but I started tearing up thinking - "I just ran 3.1 miles! I ran the whole way! Me - Amy - I did this!" It was a great feeling that left me wanting more.

I wish I could say that this first race was the stepping stone to me becoming an amazing, dedicated, speedster runner. It wasn't. Life happens and I have struggled off and on to run consistently. But I'm still running today and I am still progressing. And I want to remember how it all began and remember that it's always possible to improve.

Also, as a sidenote - I'm running my first race this year on Saturday. The Rex Lee Run 10k. I feel like I'm kind of ready. ;) I am running with some of my favorite people in the world, and I can't wait for that. I'm excited to see where I'm at "race-wise" and see what I need to improve on for Ragnar and the Big Cottonwood Half.

Let the good times roll!

And So It Begins...

Where to start? 

I'm just an ordinary woman, living a great life, and wanting to become the best me possible. 

I have been blessed with an amazing husband and four incredible children who are absolutely my everything.

I live in a wonderful neighborhood, surrounded by exceptional people.

I have the best parents a girl could ask for.  My sisters couldn't be radder.  I am truly a blessed girl.

After having twins in October 2007, I realized that maybe my metabolism wasn't what it used to be.  Okay, not just maybe.  For sure it wasn't.  So, I decided that in addition to my weekly hour of old lady rec league basketball (which was pretty much the only exercise I ever got), I should start getting more exercise.  I joined our local rec center with full intentions of becoming a runner.  

To make a long story short, 7+ years later and I still am not quite a runner.  Maybe more of a sporadic, sometimes, when I'm in the mood slogger/runner!  I have a few races under my belt over the years and have learned a lot of things so far.  And I still have a lot of things to learn (like, seriously, will I ever figure out how to drink at a drink stop along a course without making a mess or choking?!?). So, I decided that I would start this blog in efforts to remember and document where this journey has taken me and where it will take me.  I also figured it would be a good way to pass along any tips or tricks that I have learned as I get ready to conquer my second Ragnar in June and my third half-marathon in September. Here goes nothing!