2015 Race Calendar

In my younger days I ran.

I ran for fun and my health. I loved it. And one day I stopped. I don’t know why, it was something that just faded away.

In the years that have passed I always thought about starting again. Every time I would try to run at the pace and longevity that I had before. I knew better, I knew that after a decade of not running I couldn’t pick up where I left off. But I tried, and I failed. So I would get discouraged and put my running shoes back in the closet.

It is different this time.

In October of 2013 I broke that habit. I heard about the Couch to 5k program.

Before I praise the program, let me tell you something about it. It is nothing but common sense. This is not a negative comment about the program. I knew I needed to start small and work my way back up, but I needed someone else to tell me how to do it.

The basic principle is that you start out by doing running and walking intervals. You run three times a week for nine weeks. With each run you gradually increase the time (or distance) spent running. At the end of the 9 weeks you are able to run a distance of 5k (about 3 miles) without any walking, supposedly in 30 minutes. Giving you a pace of 10 minute miles.

So in October of 2013 I jumped on the band wagon and began to run. Around the holidays my sister talked me into doing a race with her, a 5K. The race also offered a 8k and a 15k race. I decided that I knew I could do the 5k, but I didn’t know if I could complete the 8k. So I signed up for the 8k.

I started to share my training journey with you, on this blog, in a Running Journal series. During my training and completing my first ever race I found that I am addicted to racing. You can follow my races and running experience by signing up for email updates. It is also a great place to find motivation for your running journey. Starting in May of 2015, I will go over my marathon training schedule with you as I prepare for my first marathon in October.

In 2014, I also ran the Bridge to Brews race, a 8k and will be running my first half marathon. There are so many races I wanted to run this year but just couldn’t afford it. Each race is about $40-$100, and when you start choosing that is a whole lot of cash. I sat down and figured out the races that I want to run next year, which ends up being one a month. Some months there are multiple races I would like, so I’ll have to choose the one that fits my schedule best.

In 2015 I have decided I want to do more than run — I want to make my miles count for the kids of St. Jude.

This is why I’ve registered to participate as a St. Jude Hero. I’m running for a reason, and I need you to help me reach my fundraising goal of $1,000.00.

Will you help me support St. Jude by donating today?

How your support helps:

Thanks to donations from people like us, no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food.
St. Jude speeds its research discoveries directly from its labs to doctors and scientists everywhere.
One child saved at St. Jude means thousands more saved worldwide.
Please visit my online fundraising page to donate http://heroes.stjude.org/mamasonshine

Thank you for your support!