Hi. My name is Meghan, and I love to run.
(Hi, Meghan.)
I am sure this is no secret to many of you. But what many of you may not realize is that lately, I've been feeling so empowered by my recent running improvements that I am willing to sacrifice some pretty big things in my life to see where this new path takes me. (Pun intended!) From my recent race times, to the amazing selection of running blogs I've come across, I am inspired and READY to see how far I can push myself.
I started running back in 2006 or 2007. I can't really remember. A few of my colleagues signed up for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle - the largest 8K in the nation! I remember feeling SO nervous, ready to urinate all over myself before the race began. I had never run an actual race before. Sure, I played basketball and soccer in high school and had always been pretty active, but MAN. This was new. Yet when the race began, the nerves melted away, and I remember feeling so ALIVE. So INSPIRED. I ran the entire race without stopping and under 50 minutes (which was my goal at the time). Another colleague noticed my excitement and said, "If you can run 5 miles, you can run a marathon." I remember thinking that she was nuts, but, well, after several years of running races, getting injured, and training for marathons (but never actually running them), here I am. Ready to take it to the next level.
Since '06/'07, I have come a long way. Here's where I am at as of today. I've beaten some of these times unofficially, thanks to my new Garmin. I seem to be running at an average pace that ranges between 8:00-8:30!
I started running back in 2006 or 2007. I can't really remember. A few of my colleagues signed up for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle - the largest 8K in the nation! I remember feeling SO nervous, ready to urinate all over myself before the race began. I had never run an actual race before. Sure, I played basketball and soccer in high school and had always been pretty active, but MAN. This was new. Yet when the race began, the nerves melted away, and I remember feeling so ALIVE. So INSPIRED. I ran the entire race without stopping and under 50 minutes (which was my goal at the time). Another colleague noticed my excitement and said, "If you can run 5 miles, you can run a marathon." I remember thinking that she was nuts, but, well, after several years of running races, getting injured, and training for marathons (but never actually running them), here I am. Ready to take it to the next level.
Since '06/'07, I have come a long way. Here's where I am at as of today. I've beaten some of these times unofficially, thanks to my new Garmin. I seem to be running at an average pace that ranges between 8:00-8:30!
PR times:
5K: 26:01 (Race to Wrigley 5K - 2011. My time in 2010 was 27:01 - crazy, right???)
8K: 43:24 (Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle - 2011. My best time before this was 44:45 or something like that.)
Half-Marathon: 2:03:54 / 9:28 pace (OneAmerica 500 Festival Indianapolis Mini-Marathon 2011. My time in 2010 was 2:11:01.)
Sure, they may not be overly impressive, but I am happy with how far I've come, and I am excited to get even faster. To that end, I've registered for a few races this summer, and I am continuing to push myself with each run.
United Race to the Zoo 5K - 6.5.11 (Tomorrow!)
Race to the Taste 5K - 6.26.11
Bastille Day 8K - 7.14.11
Rock & Roll Chicago Half-Marathon - 8.14.11
Additionally, I've found that my Bar Method classes, which I try to take once or twice each week, have kept me strong and (knock on wood) injury-free. When I trained for the Chicago Marathon back in 2008, I ended up getting a stress fracture in my ankle. My physical therapist said most injuries stem from core strength - and the stronger your core, the stronger you are all over. That really resonated with me, and since then, I've been trying to do as much core and strength training as possible. Bar Method has been awesome for both, and while the classes are HARD, I really give them credit for helping my overall running improve!
Sure, they may not be overly impressive, but I am happy with how far I've come, and I am excited to get even faster. To that end, I've registered for a few races this summer, and I am continuing to push myself with each run.
United Race to the Zoo 5K - 6.5.11 (Tomorrow!)
Race to the Taste 5K - 6.26.11
Bastille Day 8K - 7.14.11
Rock & Roll Chicago Half-Marathon - 8.14.11
Additionally, I've found that my Bar Method classes, which I try to take once or twice each week, have kept me strong and (knock on wood) injury-free. When I trained for the Chicago Marathon back in 2008, I ended up getting a stress fracture in my ankle. My physical therapist said most injuries stem from core strength - and the stronger your core, the stronger you are all over. That really resonated with me, and since then, I've been trying to do as much core and strength training as possible. Bar Method has been awesome for both, and while the classes are HARD, I really give them credit for helping my overall running improve!
(Is she bad-ass or what???)
Anyway, I will try not to inundate you with running posts from here on out - but know that I am really excited that it has become a priority for me. Thanks for indulging me:) Wish me luck! For all of you runners out there, any words of inspiration?
Great post, Meghan! I am training for a half marathon in July and I've been in a major rut this week, so I needed some inspiration to keep going! Your blog, and that picture of that girl---seriously with those abs??--was just what I needed! :)
ReplyDelete~Tiffany
Awesome! Your times have improved a lot! It's fun to look back over time and see improvement - makes you feel proud and helps you know you are doing something good for yourself! Way to go!! :0)
ReplyDeleteYou're such an inspiration! I love seeing your tweets early in the morning, and you're excited to go out and run first thing! It makes me feel like I need to get up and do something. I love it! :)
ReplyDeleteI always kind of wished that I liked running because it seems like it could be really therapeutic. However I'll have to stick to rollerblading because I am just not a runner whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteThis is really inspiring. I've been running a LITTLE lately which is a feat since I've never really enjoyed it. I'm so impressed with your dedication and stamina. My mom is a hardcore runner--I wish I had her skill/desire when it comes to running.
ReplyDeleteI find what you said about core training to be absolutely true. My back hurts so much less when I'm doing core workouts every day. And our Dailey Method is similar to your Bar Method--really hard, but incredible for toning.
Congrats on all your progress!
You are awesome. For real. I used to love running and now I'm trying to get back to loving it.
ReplyDeleteI do wish you luck honey. This is a awesome post and I am so happy for you
ReplyDeleteLove
Maggie
Hi Twin :) I have 3 races coming up too! 10K, 8 mile and half marathon! We are so alike! Maybe we can run together while IM in Chi too :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome that you can run! I wish I could. I've always been athletic - played three sports in high school, still play softball once a week, but I am not a runner. After about 30 seconds I have an asthma attack so serious running freaks me out :(
ReplyDeleteI am feeling that same way too - the Team In Training has completely motivated me again. I am loving every run these days (minus my shin pain). I am super excited because this week we have track workouts too and I am hoping that that is key to improving my times. I've never been so serious about my running to do track workouts so I feel completely hard core (even though I know I'm not)! Good luck and hopefully we can keep each other motivated though the hot summer!!
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