I had always been in the category of people who didn't understand why people ran. Running was the hardest part of gym class next to push up-pull ups. My aunt and uncle who ran the Riverbank Run each year amazed me. How did they do it? I was much more content to twirl my flag in band!
In 2009 I had a thought, "Why not give this running thing a try?" Over the next couple years I found myself running more and more. In January 2015, my uncle who had always amazed me with his ability to run died from complications to prostate cancer. I decided that he had always lived his life by living life to the
fullest...so I registered for the Riverbank Run 5K for that spring.
My best friend of over 25 years flew up from Florida to run with me.
In the fall of 2015 I made the commitment to train and run the Gazelle Girl Half Marathon. I didn't know how I would train, but I was going to do it. That Christmas my husband gave me the gift of Priority Health- Gazelle Sports Run Camp and a Gazelle Girl Half Marathon pullover. I can’t thank Aleksandra Schab at Gazelle Sports GR enough for encouraging Jeff to gift them to me. He knew that in order to get me across the finish line, it was going to take more than his support. I met the most wonderful, supportive group of people in January 2016 and have not looked back.
Participating in both Winter Half/RBR and Summer Half Run Camps was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have run in the best weather…in the crappiest weather…when I just didn’t feel like it…recovering from a sprained ankle…but with my Run Camp Team it was all worth it!
I will never forget the feeling of coming into Howard City from my second spur late Saturday morning during The Fred and seeing my fellow Run Campers from all different pace groups. By that time I had run almost 13 miles of two track trails. It was HOT. I was tired. My IT band was in full flair mode. Hearing Terry calling my name and then more cheers…well…to say I was emotional is a mild statement. Pace Group 10:30-11:30 has donned the nickname of “Team Ohana” because we are family and in a family no one gets left behind. Well, that really does go for us all in Run Camp. We are a running family and you will NEVER be left behind! In 2016 I not only ran the Gazelle Girl Half, I ran the Riverbank 25k, Women Run the D Half, the GR Half, The Fred Running Relay, the Gasprillia Distance Classic 8k (in Tampa, FL) and various 5K's. In 2017 I joined the ranks of Team Leader with the Gazelle Run Camp in GR. My events last year included the Gazelle Girl Half, Riverbank 25k, Women Run the D Half, the GR Half, Bayshore Half, Gran Fondo, and various 5k’s.
2018 has been a recovery year for me. I had a bone spur removed from my left “big” toe in December and have not yet been cleared to run. Instead I have been attending an RPM Spin Class twice a week and walking with the Gazelle Walking Group on Saturday mornings.
When people ask me now why I run in one word my answer is Hope. Hope, it’s why I run. Hope that we can find a cure for cancer. Hope that by running I will inspire my kids to lead healthy, full lives. Hope to make it through the day with my sanity. Hope for so many things.