Runner.

I've always thought there was something special about runners.  I don't know what it is.  I used to envy long distance track runners.  They must have so much discipline to be dedicated to do something that seemed so tiring and boring.  I used to think it would be so cool to say, "I can run 5 miles or 10 miles.  I can run from Arroyo Grande to Santa Maria if I wanted to!"  Or as in the case of Sunday, from San Luis to Shell Beach.

After I started running with Running Grrrl, it never really dawned on me that I was a runner.  I'd go out nearly every day after work, meet up with my club every Saturday, and run up to 6 miles a day.  Still, I never thought to call myself a runner.  It wasn't until I got this injury that it really phased me.  I have a running related injury, common among runners.  At first I was thinking "Awesome!  I really am a runner!  I feel it's official now!"

My near 6 week running hiatus has been a lot harder than I thought it would.  At first I thought it was going to be a nice little break.  That idea lasted about 2 weeks.  I really, really began to miss it.  I missed being outside in the fresh air, meeting with the girls, and just the entire way running makes me feel.  I'd see runners on the road and hate them just a little bit!

Today, I ran my first post injury release run.  It was only a mile, because I have to take it easy.  But it felt sooo great.  I ran hard.  I ran fast.  I was so out of breath!  I loved being back out there!  Running is such a unique sport.  I am amongst those people I envied.  Now, I proudly lift my chin up, with a big smile on my face and announce "I am a runner!"

My Running Story.

I started running about a year ago now.  I was fresh off a break up from a nearly 4 year relationship.  In a 2 week period, I lost my boyfriend, moved out of my house and back with my parents, and got laid off from both of my jobs.  I felt my world was crashing down.  With all these major changes in my life in such short period of time, I knew that I was being tested.  It was either make it or break it.  I had lived with depression most of my life, and I was determined not to go back to that place.  It was time to change my life for the better, and I was going to take it.  My slate had literally been wiped clean, my time was now.

I needed an outlet.  I was so hurt, angry, and sad, but relieved, liberated and eager at the same time.  I was feeling so many different emotions and thinking way too much.  I needed to be able to escape from myself. I needed to care for my health, my body, my soul, my heart.  I needed something to focus on besides what was going on in my life.  I, myself, became that focus.  I didn't want to face people yet, and I didn't want to pay for a gym membership, so I started running.

About 8 months later, I was getting over the running.  I was feeling so alone, run down, over it.  One night I was bored and searching through the internet, hoping to find something that would re-spark my interest in running.  I came along this little blog.  I immediately emailed for more information, knowing that if I didn't, I probably never would.  I wrote that I was stepping far outside my comfort zone by even making contact, and if they had any words of encouragement to get my butt out there to meet with a bunch of girls I didn't even know, to do something I was on the verge of not wanting to do anymore.

Today, I am so thankful I got an encouraging response back.  I have met so many strong, beautiful women through Running Grrrl.  I've found them all to be so friendly, kind, encouraging, welcoming, admirable and inspirational.  It's not just the running that keeps me going to our weekly Saturday runs, but the girls.  I love that we all come together and bond over something each one of us loves (or are learning to love) to do.  I feel like I am truly part of something special.  I love that I know I have a support group who will stand up for me, help me in any way they can, support me, and pray for me.

I've for so long been looking to find something that I feel like I can belong to.  RG fits all the criteria I've been looking for.  We want strong, healthy, bodies.  We want to promote a healthy lifestyle for all women.  We want to use our gift of loving to run to help other people.  We want to reach out to our community and become involved.

I am so thankful for this lovely group of ladies.  I may not know all of them well.  We may not see each other outside of our weekly runs.  But everyone of them has become important to me, and I am so glad they've become a part of my life.