Running Christmas Gifts!

As I've mentioned before, 2011 was my first year of running seriously.  So this was the very first Christmas where I received running related gifts.

My parents got me new running shoes.  This will be my third pair of Brooks Defyance 4 Running Shoes.  I switched to them in May 2011 and stopped suffering from black toenails after.  Running shoes need to be replaced every 300 - 400 miles so a new pair is always a great gift!

My sister Jess made a scrapbook with photos from all of my races in 2011.   This was such a great, personalized gift!  She included the finisher certificates from the Disney Wine and Dine half marathon and the Philadelphia Marathon.  This was especially great since I hadn't bothered to print them myself.  Getting a book for the year's races is also fun since I can store all the race bibs.  I hope to have similar scrapbooks each year as I continue running (@Jess, hint hint ;)).

Scrapbook Cover

Sleepy Hollow 10k Page

Philadelphia Marathon Page

1000!

Today I completed my 1000th mile since I started tracking runs in late 2010!  How did I get so far?

I ran my first 5k in Septemeber 2010 but then took a break from running for a bit.  It wasn't until I signed up for the Brooklyn Half Marathon in spring 2011 that I started to take training seriously.  Starting out was downright hard.  I was out of shape.  Running just one mile was difficult and I thought that achieving a sub 10 minute mile was impossible.  The largest motivation for sticking with it was that I committed myself to money for Millenium Promise.

I don't know when it happened but at some point I started to enjoy the runs.  This must have been a result of being in better shape and not hurting as much afterwards.

Even now, after 1000 miles, it is sometimes tough to get out there and start the run.  Today I really had to build up motivation.  When I went to run it was 24° F outside.  I told myself that after the first half mile it would be fine.  It was.  I even managed to get too hot toward the end of the run.  I have never regretted going for a run but I've certainly regretted not going.

Finishing Sleepy Hollow 10k; running isn't always easy but it is always worth it!