Blog - Just Breathe: Learning to Run and Never Stopping
Just Breathe: Learning to Run and Never Stopping
I started running competitively in 2010. I’d always admired runners but never imagined I’d be one. I started walking at the local track and would look longingly at runners but couldn’t breathe properly whenever I tried.
“I’d always admired runners but never imagined I’d be one.”
One day when my husband was at the track with me I shared my frustration. He said, “show me.” So I did. When I finished running he stated simply, “You’re running too fast,” essentially giving me permission to run at my pace which I did and completed three miles that very day.
“Well, I might actually be good at this running thing.”
Soon I registered for my first 5K where I took first place in my age group. I thought, “Well, I might actually be good at this running thing.” After the 5K I wondered if I’d ever run five miles, ten miles, or even more. My first half marathon was in support of our pastors who were in the midst of an international adoption. When I was first approached about running it, I had no idea how far a half marathon was. I nearly puked when I found out it was 13.1 miles. Racers could join teams and all proceeds went to finance family adoptions. I finished that race ten minutes under my target time and was hooked. I could not believe what my body had accomplished.
“I could not believe what my body had accomplished.”
“My only goal was to run again. And I did.”
Ten years later and hundreds of races including the London Marathon and a broken neck later, I am still running. The half marathon remains my race of choice. After breaking my neck in a car accident, and being in a titanium halo for three months, my only goal was to run again. And I did. 2020 was my sixth AF Half. A high school friend from another state posted pictures one year of a group of her friends she’d run with and I invited myself to join them the following year. Now my husband goes too and we look forward to the expo, the excitement of the run, the after party and seeing all of our race buddies. Each year someone new joins the group. My father served 22 years in the AF and my husband 7, so the military connection also makes this race special. Every year we make sure to register on January 1 to save $10!
Written by: Becky Miller
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