I am 42 years old, I have 2 daughters Alexandria (21) and Brittny (15), and a 3 year old Jack Russell Terrier named Button. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I am from Wilmington, NC. I moved to Charlotte in June 2001 when I got out of the military. I served 11 years in the US Army in various duty stations and the Gulf War. I enjoy working out, reading, and traveling.
I was invited to the running group in Spring 2010 by my church member Janice Tucker. I consistently told her I do not run anymore. I told myself when I got out of the military I would never ever run again unless someone was behind me lol, with her urging I thought to myself what the heck what do I have to lose it is not like I have never ran before, even though I despised running in the military because we had to do it, I saw it as another way to challenge my body since I do LOVE exercising. So I decided to come out and have been running ever since.
Did you ever think you would be a runner?
No I did not think I would ever be runner, even when I ran in the military I did not consider myself a runner. Now, I like running. I like the way I feel afterwards like I have accomplished something. Running is very empowering.
The first runs were okay, I was getting back use to running. I knew I could do it because I did it before for 11 years in the military. It has changed because I was running because I wanted to and not because I had to. I liked challenging myself in a different aspect.
My asthma has improved I am able to run without being out of breath-by learning to breath properly and building up my lungs by exercising. My knees do not hurt as bad-thanks to the injury prevention clinic. I wear my knee braces just to protect my knees so I do not re injury them. My pressure has improved, my cholesterol has improved. My doctor was trying to put me on cholesterol medication which I Refused to take-thanks to running and the healthy eating clinics my cholesterol is within normal levels without medication.
Do not run with music.
My running goal is to run a half marathon. I have ran a couple 5ks and a 10k.
Take a nice long shower, and give myself pedicure and pamper my feet.
I would tell them they can do it that running is mental, they can do anything they put their mind to. I would tell them they will like the way they feel afterwards-it is very empowering, and to make sure to be hydrated even when not running.