Running anyone?

"Running? Me? No thanks!" This would've been my answer up until a couple of years ago. I took up a tennis class over regular PE class in school because the teacher made the regular PE
students run on the track/field. I'd rather chase after tennis balls than running. I despised running--made my head hurt, felt like all my internal organs were shaking out of place, and felt like puking after a couple of minutes. I've always been into exercises in some form or another like aerobics and step classes. But never running. I was not made to be a runner.

After 20 some odd years later, something happened... I was going through an unhappy phase of my life. I started just taking walks, about three miles each time. I enjoyed the peace and quiet time for myself to think and decompress. After a while, walking became a bit monotonous so I started trotting, then trotting turned to jogging, and before I knew it I was running. Eventually running became not-so-bad! After a few months of enjoying my new discovery, I ran my first 5K, then 10K, and trained for a half-marathon. Unfortunately the half-marathon was canceled but I was still able to run the distance at the end of my training. It was an exuberance that I have not felt for a long while. I could not believe that I was running. Me? Running? Who would've thought? At first it was a physical challenge but it became a mental challenge. There were many moments I had to tell myself "I can do this", "I've gone more than half", or "only a mile to go". I joined a local running group which was so helpful and valuable for me in order to stay focused and motivated. It was exciting to discover a whole new world of runners! Never bought a pair of socks that costed me $10 until now...but very much worth it.

Since then I have been off-track here and there but I still have the love for running. I try to get my running several times a week. I will re-start my races. My first goal is another 5K next month, then I'll work my way up to a half-marathon. A full marathon at this point scares me but...never say never. :) Marathon or not, I think running will be part of my life for a long time. I hope to share my journey of running time to time.