We All Start Somewhere – You Can Too!

Posted: June 21, 2011 at 5:39 pm

I have a special treat for you all tonight – a special post from Anne of fANNEtastic food! I’ve been reading Anne’s blog for at least a year and enjoy every single post. Since she has inspired me so much on my own running growth, I asked Anne to share her running story with you all. Get inspired from one of my favorite blog friends! Take it away, Anne!

Hey, Faith, Fitness, Fun readers – Anne here from the food and fitness blog fANNEtastic food! I started my blog in October of 2009 as a way to motivate others to lead happier, healthier lives through fitness and nutrition. Since starting my blog, I made a big career change and headed back to graduate school to become a Registered Dietitian! I’m now half way through with my program – so far so good 🙂

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On my blog, I share delicious and easy healthy recipes, simple health tips (check out my recent post about how to make a recipe healthier – includes a printable PDF!), and my adventures in fitness. In particular, I love running, and was thrilled when Tina asked if I would share a post with you all about how I got into running!

Because you see, I wasn’t always a runner.

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If you read my blog now, you might think that I’ve always been able to run 10 miles, or 11 miles, or even 13 miles – but that’s not the case at all!

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When I first graduated from college in 2004, I ran occasionally, but I’d never run more than 3 miles. I mostly stuck to using the elliptical and weight machines, but every once in awhile I’d go for a run on the treadmill, or outside. But I still couldn’t make it past the 3 mile distance.

In 2006, I signed up for my very first 5k race. It was the “2nd Annual Gulf Coast Relief 5k” for which the proceeds went to help revive the New Orleans area following Katrina. A big group of my friends and I all signed up for the race (which was basically the whole reason I signed up), and I remember being so nervous and excited that morning standing waiting for the race to start. And then – what a thrill! Races have such an incredible energy because there are so many people – both on the sidelines AND in the race itself! I loved running among all the others in the early morning light, listening as we passed people cheering us on. It was over in a flash and I was SO proud crossing that finish line! My first race and I was hooked.

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Flying high from that accomplishment, I decided it was time to delve into the world of over 3 mile runs. Tentatively, I agreed to sign up for a 5 mile turkey trot on Thanksgiving Day, 2006. My dad, uncle, and brother also signed up for the race, which really helped my motivation. I remember that race as being the day I really believed that I could run longer distances. Running is never easy, no matter how much you do it, but that’s part of what makes it great. It’s always good to challenge yourself. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone!

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It wasn’t until 2009 that I delved into the world of longer races (10k’s, 10 milers, and eventually my first half marathon), but that first 5 mile turkey trot was what gave me the confidence to really believe I could do it. It’s still kind of crazy to me now that I ran my second half marathon in March. Just goes to show how far you can come with a little determination (and good training buddies)!

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I’d love to hear from you guys now, too! Are you a runner? If so, how did you get started? If not, do you think you want to try?

And if you’re looking to get started but want to try the treadmill first before venturing outside – check out my printable PDF treadmill workout brochure. Just adjust the speeds to your level and you will be good to go!

A big thank you to Tina for having me here today – I hope you guys will stop on by my blog to say hello 🙂

Happy running!

Thanks, Anne! And as she asked – Are you a runner? If so, how did you get started? If not, do you think you want to try?

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47 Comments to “We All Start Somewhere – You Can Too!”
  1. SO encouraging and perfect timing! I just started running this morning 🙂

  2. Jill says:

    I want to be a runner. I am a biker and stepper. I want to add “runner” to my resume! 🙂 I am currently nursing an injury, but as soon as I get cleared… I want to run! I will look on your blog for getting starting tips! Thank you for inspiring me and making me feel like I can do it too!!!

  3. I love running! I have a lot of goals and things I want to work on before my next half in August. I really want to get better at it!

  4. Anna says:

    I have wanted to start running for the last year but it scares me for some reason. A couple of weekends ago I did a focused walk/jog and even though it was heavy on the walk, I realized it was something I could do. I am now building up my endurance by doing the c25k program on the elliptical. Not running yet but heading in the right direction 🙂

    • Tina says:

      You could go through C25K on the elliptical and then do it on the treadmill/outdoors. I know you can do it and it’s such a great program!

  5. Mrs. Fish says:

    I’ve been running since 2008, I got started with the coach to 5k program. I ran my first 5k that May and have since ran a marathon and I am training for a half! The hardest thing about running is just getting started!

  6. Lauren says:

    Love this post, Love Anne, and Love her story! I can totally relate. 🙂

  7. I love the “don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone”!! I totally agree – you never know unless you try!

  8. Great story! I actually started in a very similar way. Races are addicting and I LOVE the challenge with myself.

  9. Tee says:

    You have such a great story! I hope to run a 5K sometime before the end of the year.

  10. Anne, thank you so much for sharing. I haven’t been able to break that 3 mile barrier…but signed up for a half-marathon in October with my mom and hubby. Often times when you hear people talk about running that do it on a regular basis, it seems that they’re naturally runners and have been able to run long distances forever. It’s so nice to hear that this isn’t the case; Your post is great motivation!

  11. Donna says:

    Thank you so much for sharing, it is always encouraging to read how people get their start and succeed at something new. As others have already said, “great timing” as I am in the process of training for my first 10K with the hubby. I am at the difficult level of running for 2.5 and walking 2.5 min’s. My heart pumps so hard and my sit points ache as my body adjusts, I must look like a mess going up the street! But I am really wanting to accomplish this to maybe enter a race in Sep??

    Blessings!!

    • Anne P says:

      You can do it, Donna! I promise, running is never easy for any of us – you just have to build up slowly and remember it’s good to challenge yourself 🙂

  12. Katie says:

    Runner is my identity! I got started because I wanted to lose weight and then it became a method of recovery for me from ED. Now I just love it there is never a day where I don’t want ot go hit the trails for a few more miles!

  13. Chelsie says:

    I’m in the middle of the C25k program and I really needed a little encouragement with running today. Thanks 🙂

  14. Karolina says:

    Great post! I’m just at the start of trying to get into being a runner. I’m struggling to build up my endurance, but it’s definitely better then it was a few months ago. Posts like yours are always inspiring and motivating!

  15. I dipped my toes into running in high school, when I joined the cross country team as a way to stay in shape for lacrosse. In the beginning, it was TOUGH. I couldn’t understand how people found joy in doing nothing more than putting one foot in front of the other for the sake of…well, putting one foot in front of the other!

    It wasn’t until after college that I began running again. This time however, I was doing it for myself. The joy factor skyrocketed, and I was hooked. Now I run regularly, and I’m looking to enter my first 10k race next fall!

  16. p.s. I loved reading your running story, Anne!

  17. Kandi says:

    I got started running when I signed up to do a fundraising mile race (in conjuction with a 5k but the mile was for youths). My mom did the walk and decided that she wanted to train for the 5k the following year and I ran the mile and won! The next year we trained together and completed the 5k and then I was recruited by a friend’s dad to run cross country and track in high school. I had a blast in those sports. I took a break from running during college but then got back into it in 2005 and haven’t looked back. Next up, my first marathon!

  18. Kara says:

    I got started with serious running when I got married and moved away from my kung fu school. I had been training 8 to 10 hours a week in kung fu for 6 years, so I had a big gap to fill.

    Running isn’t the same as kung fu, but I do enjoy the challenges!

  19. Great post. Always nice to read other people’s experiences with running. I have a similar experience, I started running a couple of years ago but mostly just on the treadmill. Then I worked my way up to a 5K, 5 miler, and a few weeks ago completed my first half marathon! It’s a great feeling, and I’m looking forward to running more 🙂

  20. Whitney says:

    Hey Tina and Anne! I actually was thinking of doing my 1st 5k in October. Its for ALS and in Honor of Jeremy Williams from Extreme Makeover Home Edition last year. I have never been a runner but I really want to the first time in my life. I tried to start doing C25K but by the time I get off work its so hot that I’m scared to take my kids on a run(2 yr and 4 1/2 month old) What do you suggest? I would really love to do it! I have already managed to start eating healthier and it feels great. I look forward to every blog now. 🙂

    • Tina says:

      Hi Whitney! 🙂

      Do you have a treadmill you could use at a gym with childcare for the summer months until it cools down? I did the full Couch to 5K on a treadmill, and while I prefer running outside, it did the job. Then you can keep up with your running after it cools down. I know some gyms even offer special deals for just the summer months so maybe you could work something out to not have to do a full, long-term commitment membership if you aren’t already part of a gym. You could also look into if there are shaded paved trails (our area calls them Greenways) that would cut the heat down and make it safer for you and your kids to go out in the afternoon. The C25K workouts are only 25-30 mins long, so I think if you took certain precautions (kids hydrated, shaded stroller, sunscreen, etc) it wouldn’t be harmful to go out. Although I understand the concern!

      The other option would be to see if you could go early morning if there is someone to watch them? Think of all the options you can and I’m sure you can find one that works.

      And if all else fails – keep up with activity you can do and that healthy eating for now and you can pick up the C25K around September when it starts cooling off. Other activity may even help prep you to still be ready for the October 5K to at least do a run/walk combo. 🙂

      • Whitney says:

        Thanks for all the great tips! I did have a gym membership but I never found time to go with a 6 yr old, 2 yr old, and of course baby H! But I know i have to stop making excuses and just do it. Getting up in the mornings may be the best( the days the hubby is not at the fire dept). And I do have a treadmill at my parents(across the street). 🙂 I also need to get a watch that calculates the miles, calories,etc. Is there one you suggest? I really hope I can be ready for my first 5K in October. Thanks for all your help!! You should come do it. Not but about 2hrs away 🙂

  21. Lisa says:

    I love this! It’s exactly what I needed to hear & I was actually looking for someone to do a similiar post on my blog!

  22. Jamie says:

    I started running a few months ago. So far, I have only done a couple of 5Ks and run about 3-4 miles three days a week. I really want to work my way up to a 10K and then a half marathon but I am having trouble building my distance. How did you add mileage?

    • Tina says:

      I took it a very little bit at a time personally. I would do my 3 miler and then the next week shoot for 3.2. Then 3.5 after a few more runs. It took some time but I did it. I also would incorporate short walk breaks to make it feel more manageable. Slow and steady made it work for me. 🙂

      • Anne P says:

        The general tip is to never increase your mileage by more than around 10% each week. So if you run 3 miles 3 days a week, that’s 9 miles, so next week try 10 miles by adding a mile, and so forth.

  23. […] in the meantime, check out my guest post over on Tina’s blog about how I got into running – and you can, […]

  24. Chrissy says:

    I am training for a my first half marathon in a few months, and I am both excited and scared!! Thanks for the confidence booster! I will keep it up, and know that it produces great results!

  25. Brindi says:

    I never considered myself a runner. In high school I was very athletic but dreaded the practice laps and sprints. And when I went to college, I avoided the treadmill like the plague. Until last year, when my boss asked a couple of my co-workers and I if we wanted to join her in a half marathon race. NO! That was my first thought, until I overheard her make fun of co-worker who said she would do it. That really upset me, so I agreed to do it with my co-worker. I instantly thought, what am I getting myself into!! I don’t run! I came home and told my husband and he kind of seemed like “Yeah, you’re joking right?” My husband is a cop and he stays fit and runs almost every day, so he was excited to have a running partner. I found a great sports bra (because I’m…..very “blessed” in that area-which is why I used to hate running in the first place) and hit the road. And I LOVED it! I LOVE running. But sadly, a month before the race I injured my knee and couldn’t race. 🙁 I decided to take the winter off from running and get back into it in the spring. Well this spring I started running again, very light and easy…nothing too hard, but my knee has started hurting again and I’m kind of at a lost of what to do. I love running, but I don’t want to cause further injury.

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