5 reasons I run.

1. Becoming a runner is unlike anything else.
Now, take it from me... I've never in my life been a runner. I didn't like hated running before I started training for my first 5k. But as soon as I experienced my first runner's high, running has always held a special place in my heart. For me, I was only a week or 2 into the couch to 5k program and I was doing more walking than running at that time. It has taken my body to a whole different level - a level that I question how I ever lived without.

2. The results show.
Before I lost a pound of weight, according to the scale, I was dropping inches after what seemed like 30 seconds on the treadmill. I read somewhere that for women, running is the best exercise for weight loss. For me, this is true. While it may not be true for everyone - I've found that if I'm consistent, everything starts fitting looser than it did the week before.

3. Best sleep ever.
The night of my 5k, I literally slept like a baby. For several years, I've had a hard time sleeping completely through the night. I usually wake up 2-3 times a night, but nights after I run - I get better sleep than could ever be offered from a pill, a drink or anything else.

4. Self-confidence is on the up.
I feel better about myself with every mile I run. There's something about being able to call myself a runner that gives me more self-worth. Not that I didn't feel like I had a purpose before I started running, but running has made my life so much better. Along with that, running has given me more confidence to try new things at the gym. Today, I tried the stair master for the first time. Who am I?

5. The ultimate stress reliever.
After a good run, my head is clearer and my problems don't seem so big anymore. I've always been big on stressing, but running takes the load off. When I run outside, I feel closer to nature. When I run anywhere, I always feel closer to God.

"Where the hell is the finish line?"

These were my exact words I shouted to my mom when I was just seconds away from the end of the race.

I can't really say I was overwhelmed with joy right away. When I finished there was one guy telling me to turn around when I started walking out of the finish line and another one saying he needed my number off my shirt, I was more flustered than anything right away. We took some pictures and my mom, sister and aunt left and I waited around with Cameron for my final time. I was greeted by a friend who pointed me in the right direction. It was confirmed, 48:23. My original goal for this 5k was 45 minutes, but my practice 5k on Monday was 50 minutes and when I saw all the people that were at the race today - my main goal was to not come in last.

Let's back track here. I've had a really great month of running leading up to this. I was hitting milestones left and right and becoming much more comfortable with running outside since all of my training prior to September was on the track or treadmill. If I would have done anything differently it would have been training outside from the start and sticking to it. Not that the treadmill and track hindered me from anything because I felt it was nice to transition through the weeks of c25k trying out each, but running outside is honestly the most enjoyable for me personally. When I went from running 2 miles, to 2.5, to 2.75 I knew it was getting serious. There was no turning back.. I was going to do this 5k whether I wanted to or not. I HAD to do it. 

As with all change and new events in my life, I dealt with some serious anxiety last night and today. I got barely any sleep and it was hard to eat today, but I managed to calm down some once I got to Lake Andrea. I didn't know many people there.. while it was good to see at least a few familiar faces it may have been a good thing I was surrounded by mostly strangers. There was just a lot less pressure (not that anyone is really watching anyone else.. except the person in front of them to speed ahead at the end :)) The trail didn't get difficult until we entered the woods. We were there for at least a half mile and I hadn't done an ounce of training on anything outside, but concrete and it showed. I slowed down a ton, but after I went by a volunteer I was right around 15 minutes for my first mile which made me much less nervous about the woods. As we exited the woods I saw my mom and then my sister and aunt and that was definitely a turning point of the race. It was a moment where I realized, you are not alone Brittany! There are people here who love you and even those who aren't here are behind you 100% I think that's the hardest thing about trying something new - you feel so alone, but everyone who loves you only wants the best for you and for you to succeed. I looked ahead at the rest of the course around the lake and began to panic a bit. It seemed like it would take me days to get to the other side and that everyone behind me would eventually fly by me. While I dealt with these thoughts for a few minutes I kept reminding myself that I am not here to beat anyone. I am here for myself. I started running for myself and I need to run this race for myself. Even if I do come in last.. I will have accomplished something I never have before. At this point the sun began to come down and I approached a crowd of volunteers with water, who were cheering for everyone as they passed and heard the man with the stop watch read off "32:12" for mile 2. I did the math in my head and realized that as much as I would have loved to finish in 45 minutes, there was just no way I was going to run another 1.1 miles in 13 minutes or less. At that point, I was simply focused on finishing. During this race after finishing each mile, I envisioned my runs near my house and that helped me concentrate on how much running I really had left to do. I would speed up, slow down, speed up, slow down, but never stopped running - not even once. It was during this race though that I realized how much credit walkers do not get. There were walkers passing me, going faster than I could run. This was inspiring. It just goes to show that as individuals we have to choose what works for us and if walking works for them, they should continue to go on with their bad selves. I using MapMyRun to track my distance and I checked that I was right around 2.75, I knew it was time to kick it in to high gear. I wasn't even sure where the race ended, but I needed to finish with my head held high. I saw my family in near sight, but it was dark and there were a lot of trees. I saw the screen that read in bold red "48 something" I let out a sigh of relief and ran at a speed I didn't even know I could reach. I heard a stranger scream "finish strong!" and with my family and Cameron around me.. I finished my first 5k.

Remember that one time when I destroyed 25 minutes of running? Had my best mile time of 15:19 and went down a pants size in the same day?

BECAUSE I DO!! It was TODAY!

A recap of January- September and the direction I'm headed

Today marks the very last day of summer.

It's sad, but I'm looking forward to the last quarter of 2011. These last 9 months have been something else.

I would say the jump start was February when I broke my ankle. This was my first xray.

(Not exactly how my leg looks anymore because that faint white line across the bone, which can only be described as a very strong rubber band, was removed in June)

I was using a walker, laid up majority of the time and seriously unhappy.

March and April were mainly months of recovery. Yay, physical therapy!

May was when happier times began. On May 6, Cameron and I got engaged! It has been 4 months since that day which is so hard to believe.

June is when I officially started the couch to 5k program. While this is a 9 week program, it has taken me much longer to get through (still not done). The day I started it was the day before I found out I would have my second surgery the next day. The ironic part of this is that the day before I broke my ankle, I was playing basketball at the Y with my little brother and was looking forward to working out more.

It took me 2-3 weeks to recover from the second surgery but after that I got more involved with running. I started off really slow. I remember my first mile (run/walk) was like 19 and half minutes. Now, my mile is between 15:30-16:30. I would say the most brilliant part of the couch to 5k program is the change is so gradual that you don't even realize how much better you're getting until you start looking at the progress of each workout. For instance, the first workout is alternating between running for 1 minute and walking for a 1.5 minutes. Now I'm half way through the 6th week of the program and my next workout will be run continuously for 1 mile, walk for 1/4 mile and run another mile. I remember in my first few weeks thinking "there's no way I'm gonna be able to run 3 minutes straight.. or 5 minutes.. or 10 minutes.. or an entire mile". Everything's changing and I'm so proud of myself for the progress I've made.

The end of July our family went through a really hard loss. Our family friend Rob passed away unexpectedly leaving behind so many loved ones and so many unanswered questions. While there is no reasonable explanation for why he left us so soon - I know in my heart that God had laid out the plans of his life long before he was even born. Although that will never mend the hurt and sorrow, Rob is finally at peace.

At the beginning of this month, I started Weight Watchers again. Last year, I was doing WW and fell off for reasons that mean nothing anymore, but I'm happy that I'm back at it! Since I've done the program before I feel a lot more prepared. What I've learned about myself is that majority of my weight gain has stemmed from overeating and overindulging in sweets. I won't lie - I love sweets. Candy, cupcakes, soda.. you name it and I've probably ate it, a lot of it. It's going to take me some time to let go of this addiction, but I don't believe that it's impossible.

Tomorrow I start my senior year of college, hello 18 credits! Exactly 30 credits and 9 months stand between me and graduation. I am so ready.

My first 5k is 2 weeks away! I'm excited, nervous and a little anxious to get it out of the way. With the way this year started for me, I really just thought it'd be another year of unhappiness with myself and my body, but I'm finally on the up and excited to see the results.

My first weight loss goal is 30 pounds by December 31st. I will keep you all updated with my weigh ins at 1st and 15th of every month :)

In closing, I leave you with a video of Coco. She was an addition to the family for the last several months, but is now in North Carolina with my cousin Brad again.