Besides photography questions, one of the biggest questions I get asked is about running. Some people are eager to start running and want to know where they should start. Other people may be more negative towards it, for example “Why do you run so much? I could never do that. Running bores me.” Running has never been a love of mine. Growing up I actually hated it. Gym days in school where we would have to run, I dreaded and I quit track in 9th grade because it was too much running (go figure).
I remember when I played field hockey and during practice runs, I would just look at all the other girls asking myself how they all looked so breathless and why I was torturing myself doing this sport. I HATED running.
When I was growing up I always battled with weight. I was never the skinniest girl. I always had to “watch” what I ate. I was always trying the latest diet pill or diet fad. I was thin in high school but mostly because I “dieted” unhealthy ways.
When I was in my 20s and my nights were a social calendar full of bar nights and late bar food and diner runs, I packed on the pounds again. I never actually weighed myself and to this day I dislike the scale, but I always knew how my clothes felt and if I was gaining or losing weight. At this point I was gaining.
This is me in 2005. I was 25. Summer before I started dating my husband. I was in Vegas on vacation with friends. Living in NJ. Working full-time, but kid-free and going out close to every night.
When my husband and I started dating in 2006, my whole life changed. I started having all these goals and ambitions I didn’t even know were there. The girl who didn’t want to leave NJ, suddenly wanted out.
I moved to Virginia Beach in May 2006. I’ll never forget that day. I cried my eyes out. I am crying typing this thinking about it. I knew it was what was best for me and my new relationship, but leaving was tough!
I worked full-time when I moved to VA and I remember coming home from work and wanting to go for a run one day. I felt like it would help me wind down from the day and help curb my home sickness. I just had this urge to run. I would go “jog”, maybe a mile, come home and feel like I just ran a marathon. I would go in spurts, one week being really good, the next my running shoes wouldn’t see the light of day.
After the birth of my first child, Nicholas, I met a couple girls who were “runners” and they were talking about half marathons. A half marathon?! Could I?! I have never ran more than 4 miles my entire life, but decided to register for my first half. I trained that summer every morning with 3 other girls who always hold a special place in my heart because of what they did for me that summer and how much they got me through. I was going through a really rough time at this time of my life and running help me “breathe” through it.
Southern humidity is no joke when you are not a “runner” and training when you have no idea what to expect isn’t either. I ran my first half marathon in August of 2008. Not only did I have the support of my girlfriends, but my entire family from NJ came down to support me, and even wore “Team Jessica” shirts. Do I not have the cutest family ever?!
After this moment, I was HOOKED!! Running became everything from self-therapy to my weight loss program to proving to myself I could do whatever I put my mind to. Since 2008 I have ran a countless number of 5K’s, 8K’s and 10K’s, mud runs, 12 half marathons, a triathlon and I am currently training for my second full marathon.
There are days where I hate running. Seriously. Some mornings I wake up whining to myself about how I have to go run 8 miles in the cold, giving my running sneakers the stink-eye and feeling my head hoping maybe I have a fever and I have an excuse not to run.
But then I go about my morning, get ready and get moving and after that run I feel fabulous. I love going through the day on “runned” legs. There are some mornings I wake up completely exhausted, and I go for a run and feel like I just had 3 cups of coffee. It’s MY “coffee”. My energy booster. My sanity.
I get asked a lot how I find the time to run. People will say “Wow, how do you have time to do all that? I would never have time to put that in, Im so busy with this, this and this..”.
Trust me. You make time and stop the excuses. If you really want to do it, you will find the time to. We are all busy. There was a time I was working full time, in school full time with a 1 year old at home and still found time to train. It can be done.
I’m not saying it’s for everyone, but it can be done.
Running, along with clean eating, strength and cross training, has become a big part of my life. Next to my family, friends and photography, I would say it’s right up there in line. I’m proud of how far I have come with it. I’m stoked that this past week I have ran 54 miles in 6 days alone. And I am amazed at how I feel. I love all the people I have met through running and that bond we all share, new friends and old.
At 35 and after giving birth to two children, I am in the best shape of my life, less stressed, happy and ready to rock another 26.2 miles on March 15th. 10 years ago, I would of never said that. If you think you can’t, you can.
Running isn’t for everyone, and it takes time to build up endurance, speed and stamina, but it CAN be done. Take it from someone who hates running. xo.
