national runner’s day

How I got into running. (National Running Day)

| cheriarmour

So, yesterday was National Running Day, which I celebrated by sneaking in a quick run after work, and then heading over to Fleet Feet to supplement the staff for one of our events, Ladies Night.

10338232_10100333307830413_5297024876603291970_nLiterally, this is one of the fastest runs that I’ve ever done in my life – I actually did it mostly in the rain, and since I live near Crabtree Creek, I also spent a good portion of it running in a puddle up to my mid-calf.  But running in the rain is the best, right?  Makes you feel like a badass.

It got me thinking about how running radically changed my life.  I mean, it partially helped me start this blog, and helped me to accomplish some of the wildest things I’ve ever accomplished in my life.  But I’m not sure where I would be or who I would be without it.

I got into running by just trying it.  I would run.  Run a little further.  Then run a little further.  Until finally, I signed me, and a newer boyfriend (now fiancé) up for a Warrior Dash in Virginia.  He drove, we ran, and had one of the best times ever.  And I realized that not only had I done it, I’d done it WELL.  About a year later, I ran my first half, and less than a few months after that, my first full.  And I wasn’t hooked necessarily to the misery that you feel at mile 17, but more to the elation of starting something, and finishing it.

Running brought me:

  • A new body.  My body was fine before.  Good even?  But I feel that my body looks it’s best when I’m in the throes of marathon training, and I’m craving good-for-you foods.  I love the confidence that running has given me in my body,
  • New friends.  Yesterday, when I worked at Fleet Feet, it was so amazing to be around my people.  Beautiful, nice, likeminded people, who just take care of themselves.
  • New experiences.  Ask me two years ago, would I do a 5k?  How about a half marathon?  How about SIX half marathons?  Two fulls?  Ever consider an Ultra or a tri?  I would have never guessed that for myself.  And it makes me wonder what other incredible things that my body can do.

After celebrating this wonderful day (National Running Day), what can some of you guys say running has brought you?  

 

I’m a fatty. It’s a runner thing.

| cheriarmour

Friday was like, National Donut Day or something.  Very well played, especially since Tuesday was National Runner’s Day, and everyone (rightfully so) was getting off the couch and embracing the great feeling-of-personal-hotness-increaser.  Friday rolls around, and every Krispy Kreme and Dunkin in America was offering a free donut with the purchase of a coffee.  If I was home in Raleigh, I would’ve gone to that homemade donut place, Rise, and stuffed my face, but I can make do.  I’m a versatile chick.

So anyhoo, I really tried to hold out all day.  “Cheri, you don’t need the sugar.  Your diet is awesome, no need to screw it up.  You’ve already run a couple of miles today, why taint that with that donut.”

The urge for that donut won.  So I put Krispy Kreme in my GPS, cause I’m still in Charlotte, and I don’t know where anything is anymore, I called to make sure they were still open, and the inner fatty in me forced me, forced me drive into a tropical storm to find this donut.  I approached where I thought the shop was, and my GPS let me know I’d arrived.  Buuut there was no Krispy anywhere to be found.  I drove in a circle.  I checked behind this sketchy motel.  And finally, I asked some guy who was chilling in front of the movie theatre next door where the heck the Donut Shop was.  ::Southern Accent::  “I don’t think it’s open yet!  It was over there.”  And then it hit me.  The Donut Shop had been demolished.  And my GPS had taken me to a now-non-existent shop.

I was about  25 minutes away from my parents’ home at this point.  In a storm.  So of course, I kind of remembered that there was a Dunkin close by.  And I settled for one of those chocolatey ones with the sprinkles on top.  As I swallowed it in 1.5 bites, chased by a swig of decaf, I sighed, “Yaiiis gurl!” Donut bettah werq!”  It was that good.

So I ran a few extra miles over the weekend to make up for my naughty behavior.  Hey, I’m a secret fatty.  It’s a runner thing.  Am I right?