running

I ran track when I was in junior high, who didn't really?

And I only think I did it because friends of mine were running and I thought it would be fun.

Turns out I wasn't really good.

As in, I wasn't a sprinter, I didn't do hurdles, long jump, etc. I always ran a lame 400 meter dash and always sucked. Seriously.
And I am pretty sure it scarred me through the rest of my teenager years. 

Sports weren't for me.

Then in college after I was married and was a health/biology major I started running outside and in the winter on the treadmill. I loved it. I could run farther than ever before and I wasn't being timed or judged on how fast I was. I did it purely for the high of how good it felt when I was finished. 

And it allowed me to stay in shape with all the benefits that come from running. 

I maybe ran one 5k in Island Park with a pregnant sister in law (hey angilee!) and that was it for racing. 

Through both children's pregnancies I would stop running and walk and then pick it up again. 

I think moving to California and finding a good running friend helped me realize I was ok and maybe a runner after all.  As in it was possible to run more than 3 miles.

 It feels so good to run alone at my own pace without a lousy junior high track couch yelling at me. Am I right? 

Long story short, there was  a 10k trail run right in San Clemente and I heard a friend was running it so I decided to run with her. 6 miles is nothing. I do that most mornings. 

All 6 miles in the hills is another thing.

 And it was all hills!

 Up, down, up down, up down.
The day before my race I had food poisoning. No lie.  I almost bailed. I was so sick! Then husband gave me a blessing (thank you!) and I woke up feeling awesome. 

So I did it. Those hills kicked my trash, not gonna lie. It was hot and I was pretty drained from the day before. 

But it was awesome. 

Seeing my cute kids and husband holding a sign when I came running around the corner made it all worth it. 

Also, a girl I ran with was 8 months pregnant. I have no excuses now. 

And now some pictures. I look horrible while running. The kids look a bit disheveled (kelly got them ready :) but he did good getting their on time).

Enjoy.