Happy National Running Day!
A little background on my running story:
Back in 2007, the year I graduated from college, I felt like I needed a new goal in my life. My full-time job wasn’t very fulfilling and I was used to having a lot on my plate in college thanks to internships (remember when I drove the Shamumobile!?), classes, meetings and events related to the clubs I was involved in on campus.
I felt like I needed a new challenge in my life, so I registered for a 5K, wondering whether or not I’d be able to run the whole thing. When I crossed the finish line that day, I couldn’t get over how much I loved the experience. Running 3.1 miles surrounded by people who shared a similar goal was a lot of fun.
After searching for more races when I arrived home, I stumbled upon a half marathon at the end of December and knew that was the goal I had been looking for ever since I graduated. I immediately registered, thoroughly intimidated at the thought of running 13.1 miles, but determined to train properly and run the whole thing. I followed Hal Higdon’s novice training plan and earned my medal. It was the best feeling!
I think it’s so easy to see someone running outside or on a treadmill at the gym and think they’ve been doing it their whole life. That they were born a runner. Running may come naturally to some, but it has always been hard for me. If you have the desire to run a race but you’ve never run before, know that you can do it (assuming you have no serious injuries). Find a quality training plan (I love Hal Higdon’s novice plans for all distances), set a realistic goal and do it! There’s no better feeling than crossing the finish line at a race you never thought you would have the ability to run. Believe me, I’ve been there! If you’re just starting out, definitely check out the Couch to 5K program. And if you have no desire to run, have fun with the kind of exercise you do enjoy and disregard this little running pep talk! I got carried away in the National Running Day magic!
Some past running-related blog posts:
- How To Find Races
- So You Want to Run a Half Marathon
- Training for a Half Marathon on a Treadmill
- Running With Your Dog
- My Half Marathon Reflections
- Race Recaps
And running playlists to keep you going:
Workout
I worked a short shift from 5 – 9 a.m. today and trained one client before it was time for me to tackle my own workout for the day.
My workout began with a 20-minute run. How appropriate! I followed Monday’s 20-minute treadmill interval workout and once I completed just over 2 miles, I hopped off and walked into the gym for a boot camp class.
Since I enjoyed the class so much last Wednesday, I was really looking forward to it again today. It was challenging and fast-paced. Loved it!
Lunch
Once I was done at the gym, I came home and immediately made myself a protein smoothie.
Looks gross, tastes great!
Into the blender went:
- Frozen strawberries
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp. dark chocolate cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp. peanut butter
- Fresh spinach
It’s officially smoothie season in Florida!
Question of the Afternoon
- If you’re a runner, when did you first get into running? What is your all-time favorite race?
- If you’re not a runner, is there a race you’d like to run in the future?
Running a marathon is on my fitness bucket list. I’d love to do one at some point. Some point waaay in the future.
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I only recently got into running, but I really love it and I have so many running goals. I’m starting slow with some 5ks, but the new york city half is in the back of my mind!
It’s so awesome to look back at your fitness bucketlist and see how man of them you’ve completed! Job well done!
I started running back in high school and I just turned 31 (yikes!) so I’ve been running for awhile now…and I LOVE it. I’ve run a ton of 5k’s, one half and I’m looking a running a full marathon at the end of the year. Ahhhhh!!
My favorite race was the 2010 Chicago Marathon on 10.10.10. It was such a special race for me because it was my first marathon and I wanted to celebrate the year I turned 21 in a healthy way. I learned so much about myself through training and that I can do whatever I put my mind to. I also ran it with my uncle and it was a fantastic bonding experience training together all summer and then completing the marathon together, hand in hand.
I started the couch to 5k program about 5 weeks ago and I came to the day that I had to run two miles without stopping and I thought oh gosh, that’s never going to happen. And it did! Such an amazing feeling, I can’t wait for my first race! I wish I could’ve ran today but it’s been pouring rain. Boo.
I have been using the Couch to 10k app on my phone for about 4 months now, and I still remember that two mile day! It was so intimidating to see that 20 minutes, but once I finished it, I felt SO proud. Makes you realize what you can accomplish! 🙂
I’m not a runner, but I would LOVE to try a 5K and a Color Run… maybe I’ll be adventurous and try the mud run! 🙂 But I am scared to run. I don’t do so well and I feel so awkward!
This coctail looks very delicious.
I started running two years ago at age 47. Never too old to start! Running has been a great way for me to lose weight, stay healthy, and mentally unwind. I started out doing the Couch to 5K program and it was perfect. From there I built up my distance, running 5Ks, 10Ks, 10-milers, and then just this spring I ran my first half marathon at age 49. It was the Kentucky Derby Festival Mini Marathon and I loved the course. Nice and flat and fast. Part of the race took us through Churchill Downs where you could get a peek at the Derby horses doing their morning workout. So cool!
First of all..That picture is so Cute of you and your dog! Love it! I had no idea it was national running day (good thing I logged 2 miles then). I started running after high school. I went out for track my freshman and sophomore year in HS but didn’t like to ever be “forced” into running. Once I hit college and I wasn’t told how long, far or fast I had to run then I absolutely loved it! My favorite run was the Warrior Dash I completed with my husband a few summers ago. I liked it because even though it was challenging it was a lot of fun!
I got into running in college as a way to keep the freshman 15 at bay, but it’s stayed with me for many years since! My favorite race was my first marathon with my husband, Richmond Marathon- perfect!
I’m not a runner – every time I try to start I end up straining my knees (any tips on how to strengthen them?). I do have to say this post inspired me up to get up and go to the gym and out for a long walk! Always love reading your blog. 🙂
Lesley, I have the same problem, although my knee injury is from running. I strengthen it by doing the leg press at the gym and also massaging it with arnica every night!
What kind of dark chocolate cocoa powder do you use? I am trying to find one that I can add to smoothies and shakes that is healthy and clean.
All of the people I know that have started running on Hal Higdon’s running plans have ended up falling in love with running and are doing really well on their running goals! Glad to see it worked for you too!
I just started running last fall! I loved the Runner’s World event!
I just started running in April, did a 5k in May, and immediately signed up to do another in June. Love the feeling of running with others. Also enjoying competing to try and beat my own race times! I’m currently using the Adidas miCoach app, and it comes up with all the training plans for me. I don’t have to worry about my mileage or what I should be running, it’s all there!
I’ve always been pretty good at running, but I would never have called myself a “runner” until this past November when I ran my first 15k. But I would say my favorite race is the one I ran this past Sunday, The Northshore Half Marathon!
I was so scared the morning of the race and kept second-guessing my decision to register, since I felt like I kind of slacked during my training. Despite the pouring rain for the first half of the race, I easily finished in exactly 2 hours. You’re right, there is NO better feeling than when you cross that finish line and realize what you just accomplished.
I’m already planning out my next race obstacle! I’m thinking a sprint triathlon possibly.
I’m just getting into running I use to run all the time in high school and college, and now I want to take it further to race level. I’m going to start with a 5K and then a half marathon next year (super excited!) What sort of watch do you recommend for running? I live in a very rural area and run on country roads and paved roads in the same run (when its not blowing 100 mph here in western kansas) I’ve been looking but can’t decide what to get! Thanks Julie. Love your blog so much keeps me so motivated and I feel like i learn so much from you!
I used to run cross country in high school, but my love for racing was rekindled after I did a 5K last summer. Since then, I’ve run about 7 races, my favourite being the Toronto Yonge St. 10K! I’m also thinking of doing my first half-marathon this fall!
I definitely fall in & out of love with running often–I call myself a binge runner for that reason. haha 🙂
But I’ve done the Halfs & Marathons–they’re definitely a fun/rewarding experience!
I still find it hard to refer to myself as a “runner” because I don’t think I’m that good at it! 🙂 But I started running a few months ago and am running in my first 5k this weekend. I really enjoyed reading through all your posts about training and your past races – I’m hoping to work up to a half marathon someday! 🙂 I am dug around your blog and really enjoyed your blogging tips as well since I’m pretty new to the blogging world!
Completely random question – I’m going to be in Orlando in two weeks and I noticed you used to live there! Any suggestions for healthy/local places to eat? I hate eating at chains and would love to avoid it if I could! Thanks! 🙂
I’ve been running just over a year and I absolutely LOVE it. Having been pretty heavy most of my life, I never felt I could. Last May I was just 20 or lbs from my goal weight and I just felt the need to run. Walking didn’t do it anymore. And that was all she wrote! I’ve been at my goal weight (actually below my original goal weight) for almost a year and most weeks I run 6 days a week.
Yesterday in honor of National Running Day I pushed myself and finally had a run with an averge pace under 10 minute mile. Finished up 3.25 miles with an ave pace of 9’30” I was so pleased!
Love your blog!
Love all these stories! I just love running in general. I loved to race my family when I was a kid and then despised running from junior high to high school. I started running more officially in college to stay in shape because I was no longer in high school sports to keep me active. I would only run on the treadmill and not outside because I didn’t want anyone to watch me run. By my senior year, I “trained” for and ran my first 5k. After that I was pretty much hooked on that distance, Then gradually started doing more distances, ran one race a month in 2011, then a full marathon in 2012, and this year is a bunch of races on the schedule. The overall big running goal is to do a race in every state. This year, I’ll get Oklahoma, Alaska, and Tennessee. All it took was one race to get me hooked 🙂
I didn’t start running until my early 40’s when I did a Girls on The Run 5k with my 7yo daughter. I run regularly now, but only 3-6 miles. It still doesn’t come easy for me and I am fairly slow. My daughter and I do several 5k races together every year but she outruns me now and we meet at the post-race gathering. 5k’s prompted me to try a sprint triathlon and I have now done 6. Tring my first International distance soon!
My favorite race is a 10k in Washington DC the first weekend of Oct. it goes along the Potomac with views of some of the monuments and it is totally flat!
In High School I dreaded the 1 mile run and never could complete it.
I really started running 2 1/2 years ago. Some coworkers were doing a race a couple weeks before Christmas and same as you, I didn’t know if I could run the full 3.1 miles ( I may have even had to walk a bit). I followed it up with a race that March that I ran with my Dad and I loved running side by side with him the whole time.
From there I decided I REALLY wanted to do the Disney Wine and Dine half marathon. I started training for it and it happened that I was full trained for a half marathon by the time the Hartford Half Marathon came around so I decided to run it, and so did my Dad. Some time between Hartford and Disney I injured myself(partially tore a tendon in my foot) but I ran Disney anyway. I ended up in a boot after I returned from the race to repair the tendon and haven’t really been able to get back into running but as I read this post I printed out a training plan and I’m going to start training next week for a Labor day 20K!
Thanks for the inspiration! Woo long winded.
I first got into running my senior year of college, when I randomly signed up for a half marathon with a friend. It was my first race, so I had no idea to expect. Guess I’ve been hooked ever since!
I am not a runner, but I would LOVE to run one of the half marathons in Disneyland or Disney World!
My first race was two years ago.. The Turkey Trot! I chose to do the 2 mile run with a couple of friends. I was very nervous since I didn’t think I could even finish 2 miles at that point. I had started running a few months prior and when I first started, could not run a block without having an asthma attack. Now, two years later, I’m asthma free and 50 pounds lighter! I’ve ran numerous 5ks and 2 half marathons.