Ready, set, RUN!

It's May, National Running month! The perfect time to share my love/hate relationship with running. Once upon a time about 7 years ago I ran half marathons. The first one I ever did was to repay the favor of my friend Beth who did a triathlon with me. I had never dreamed that I could run that far. With the help of Beth and her well planned training I was on my way! After we finished I was hooked so to speak.

Beth and I pre our 1st 1/2 marathon in Las Cruces

I then enlisted my friend Alexis to be my training partner and we made vacations out of races. We ran the OC half marathon in Irvine and the Rock and Roll half in Virginia Beach. I also did the Rock and Roll half in Nashville. Each race holds a special place in my heart and in some cases in scars from blisters on my feet. There is something so magical, for lack of a better word, about getting in your zone and feeling like you could run forever. It is that feeling that keeps me coming back, despite that burning sensation in my lungs and legs.

Most recently I have cut back to fun 5k races around town which have reignited my desire to run. 

If you are like me when I first started I couldn't run a mile in a decent time. So here are some tips to take you from the slow walk to a run, ok a fast jog in my case!

• Start small, walk at a brisk pace and add in a jog for either a certain amount of time or pick a landmark and run till you get there. Slowly you will be able to run for longer stretches. These walk breaks will actually make you a stronger runner!
• Suffer from chin splints after only a few steps? Make sure your calves are warmed up and make sure to give them a little stretch before you start jogging. Also be mindful that you aren't running on your toes.
• Running up hills of any sort will make you feel like a champ when you hit the flat ground again and will increase your stamina in a hurry. As Beth taught me, run with your head down and don't look up till you can feel you are at the top. 

My challenge to you this month, go for a run! It doesn't matter how far just go! Be careful you just might like it!

Laura and I at the Great Pumpkin Chase 5k

Want more information on a training schedule for a race you are hoping to run, contact me, sassycassy@gmail.com.

Color runs are fun!