The Running Bug

This is the story of how I, Sunny ended up getting the running bug! 

So the year was 2010 and the family and I had just moved to Lorton VA and on a whim I decided to run a 5k. I had started running (or trying to run) a year earlier with my friend Jen in Dayton, OH. However I had never mastered the breathing part of running. I tried but I just couldn’t figure it out. In April of 2010 I had seen a flier for a race called the Lyme Disease 5k, and ironically it was a on a paved trail in the woods during tick season but I thought this would be a perfect first 5k for me! So I signed up!

 I also convinced my neighbor (who just had a baby) to run with me. We had about 4 weeks to train, I still had not figured out how to breathe while I ran but I was determined to do this. Something I never thought I could do. As I type this I always have thoughts back to middle school when I tried out for track my 8th grade year (you know the team where everyone gets to participate). I ended up being the  team manager. True Story!

So Shawn and I trained for 4 weeks before race day and that day came!!! I remember being so nervous! Could I actually run 3.1 miles? What if I don't finish? Akkkkkk! 

We showed up and put on our race shirts (before we knew it was a faux pas to wear the race shirt before you finish...just to note I didn't find this out until well into my racing experiences) and got all pumped up! 

 Shawn and me before the start of the race! 

My husband and kiddos surprised me with 

these super cute signs! 

So we take off out of the gate and like every newbie, I am running with the crowd! You know what I am talking about!!! Haha! 6 minute miles..I am guessing. Yeah, that lasted all of half a mile or so! Then the running crowd started to thin out which was a blessing because the majority of the race was on a paved trail.

I am not sure what part of the race this is.

I still look somewhat ok...??

But I was thinking, "Why is this lady walking

right in the middle of this race!? Ha, now I notice 

there are not a lot of runners around! 

About mile 2 I remember thinking, "This SUCKS! Why am I doing this? I can't breathe!!" But Shawn kept me motivated. She kept me moving even when I decided I need to walk! 

This picture cracks me up! Shawn is telling me,

"You got this"

Even though I ran/walked the race, I finished, and the moment I finished I thought to myself, "That sucked!" But 10 minutes later I was planning my next race! I have now RUN many races: 5k, 10k, a TUFF 7.2 (which I literally was last to finish..more on that later), 10 milers, and more than a few half marathons! 

My times, breathing, and love of running have all improved over the years. I have figured out how to pace my self and finish successfully on almost all of my runs. I sometimes have a bad race here and there which is normal for any runner but it doesn't stop me! I just keep going! All thanks to that first race with Shawn. The Lyme Disease 5k on a trail in the woods during tick season! 

Shawn and me at my first 5k!