Guest Blogger Jennifer G.

Jennifer runs with her girlfriends to stay motivated and to reconnect....

My name is Jennifer G., I live in the Washington D.C. metro area and I have run (on and off) since high school. (Considering the fact that I am 36 now, I think it falls into the “whole life” category.) I didn’t actually start running in races until my early thirties though. I have developed an intense love with the sport since then. My favorite quote? “My sport is your sport’s punishment!”

Every Saturday I get together with a couple of girlfriends (and an occasional guy friend) to do my long run. We run a minimum of ten miles right now. We are currently in training for the Ragnar Relay in Washington D.C. (183 miles) and the Baltimore Half Marathon.

Do you run with friends or family? How do you stay motivated?

A survivor's story--guest blogger Katie D.P.

A survivor's story...

I've been running since my divorce in 1984. I ran intermittently until January 2004 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I ran most of the way thru chemo until my feet blistered and I couldn't run any more. I read an article about that time that said that running and regular exercise had as big an impact on reducing the chances of cancer recurrence as chemo --- so I started running again. Worked my way up to 3 miles a day and ran my first half-marathon last year. When my fellow survivors put together a calendar, the idea was to show something about yourself that was different post cancer so I posed in nothing but my running shoes.



Katie D. P.

Katie M. shares her love of running

Meet another runner who loves it--Katie M.

I {just}turn{ed} 27 and started running October of 2006. I have had asthma for as long as I can remember, and I never looked at myself as a runner…athletic, yes…runner, no! I used to make jokes that I only run when people are chasing me. I have a large bust and tried to use that as an excuse that it hurt my back to run. I was never seriously overweight, but was never skinny…a healthy size 12 since middle school. I tried to run in high school to get fit, but could not find the motivation to get me past the “I am going to die…really, my chest is closing and I have pain in my heart,” feeling. I played softball mostly (was a catcher) and worked through various knee injuries, like surgery, etc. that provided more excuses for me not to run.

I then started a program to learn how to eat better… I started to lose weight. I then ventured to the gym (knowing that you need both the right diet and exercise to get more fit) and thought maybe I will get on the treadmill and run until I can’t run any more. It helps that the gym had TVs in front of every treadmill! After 10 minutes, I was winded and sweaty…so I got off and lifted some weights…then the next time I was in the gym, I ran again…adding a little more time as a friend suggested. I started to lose more weight and became more fit…I could tell by the way my clothes fit, not the scale.

I started sleeping better at night and was generally more with it at work…I began to crave my runs. I finally understand what people mean by endorphins (I was convinced they were fabricated by the running industry.) I still (try to) run between 20-30 minutes five-times a week. I learned that I am not a distance runner and that I don’t have to be. It is hard to keep up the routine and I still go looking for my excuses when my boyfriend says, “why don’t you go for a run, it will make you feel better!” But, when I do remember the feeling and get back on the treadmill, I feel like I am back to normal…and I just keep telling myself that it is the old me that is chasing me, so keep running!

Katie M.

Do you love or hate running? We want to hear your story.

Upcoming Events

SheRuns is hitting the road over the next few weeks and we'd love to see you.

Hope in Motion 10K & 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, August 03, 2008, 08:00 AM
Lake Merritt
568 Bellevue Ave
Oakland, CA 94612

America's Finest City
August 15-16

Disneyland Half Marathon
August 29-30, 2008

Come see us if you are in the area or participating in one of these events.

The trials and tribulations of a 40 year-old woman's running experience!

Read Dinneen's post and be inspired by her enthusiasm!

I am a Health and Nutrition Counselor (aka. Health & Wellness Coach) and what I do is empower women with the tools to find a healthful relationship with food and their bodies, so they can gain control of their weight with a 'non-diet' mentality. Women today are so confused by all of the nutrition and diet info out there that they no longer know how, what, when or even why to eat. I teach them how to Eat Without Guilt, while still eating healthy and nourishing their bodies AND their minds.

I'm a big proponent of exercise (for both myself and my clients) and over many, many years have dallied with running - but never been able to make it a habit. I belong to a gym, keep in shape, and run here & there - but have not stuck to a regular regimen of running (at the gym I lift weights, use the elliptical machines, take classes, use the treadmill, etc).

This past June I turned 40 (gulp!) and decided once and for all to start running regularly. (there's just something about turning 40 for a woman...time to FINALLY get those lifelong goals into play!) I knew that in order to do that (run REGULARLY) I needed a GOAL - I feel setting goals is important whether it be for weight loss, to improve one's fitness, health, or even personal aspirations. So I took the plunge and registered for the Walt Disney World Half-Marathon taking place next January, 2009.

I've always wanted to run a full-marathon. So registering for a half-marathon is a way to get there. I'm realistic and know that it takes one step at a time, and what better way to eventually running a FULL marathon than first running a half-marathon.

Why have I always wanted to run a marathon?

1) to get into better shape (one can always improve...)
2) use it as an excuse to travel running various events (I enjoy traveling, have visited many places, and even lived in France for 5 years)
3) as a proud accomplishment (if I can finish a marathon, I can do anything!)
4) it's always been a goal of mine
5) I was born and raised a Bostonian - the Boston Marathon is in our blood...the late Johnny Kelley is a HERO here (I know, he's a hero to ALL runners, not just Bostonians!)

Yeah, I've always wanted to run a marathon but never took any ACTION so I could actually DO IT. Well now that has changed!

I will LOVE to log my progress and my training (which is just beginning), tell interesting & funny stories of my love/hate relationship with running, and motivate others to get out there and run (for body AND mind). And who would be better suited to tell their story on their quest than a 40 year-old Health & Wellness Coach who helps & inspires women to eat better, gain more self-confidence, and have a better body image.

Yes, that would be ME.

I invite you to visit my website: www.EatWithoutGuilt.com to learn more about me (read the "About Me" section) and what I do.

Warmly,
Dinneen

Guest Blogger Judy N., -an inspiration

We told you we'd have some new "team mates" posting and here is our first of many more to come. Judy N. is an inspiration and we love her story!

Hi.

I'm a 52 year old woman who's recently gotten back into running after quite some time. I haven't done any serious running since I was 25 and as I got older and heavier I never intended to do it again. But this year, after losing 28 pounds, I decided that I wanted to run a triathlon. So I strapped on my trainers and ran up the road for exactly 10 minutes and 48 seconds before I felt like I was going to collapse right there. Not much of a start.

But I kept at it, and I got so I was looking forward to it. Being able to listen to my favorite songs on my MP3 player made it fun. Pretty soon I was running two miles and then three miles.

As it turned out, the triathlon fell by the wayside. I didn't have a chance to swim in open water and I am not that fast at cycling. The event held locally in Wilmington requires everyone to finish in two hours and 15 minutes, and that just wasn't going to happen.

So I did the next best thing. I entered the Wilmington NC Tri-Span Race (it does have "tri" in the title just like "tri"athlon).

I finished the 5K race with a time of 37:53. My goal was 1) to run the entire race without stopping to walk, which I did, and 2) not to come in last, which I also managed to pull off, finishing 72nd out of 92 females, and I placed second in the 50-54 age group Only 16 seconds separated me from the first place finisher, so if I'd pushed a little harder, I could have won my category.

I can't wait to run another race. I love the feeling when everyone starts out together and everyone cheers. And I'm at the point in life where they give me a prize for showing up.

Judy N.
Wilmington, NC

Thanks for sharing Judy. Do you have a story to share? We'd love to hear it!

Back in season

We're back! We've taken a little time off and are back with something new and exciting for you. In the coming weeks you'll have an opportunity to read some very interesting, helpful, funny, informative, and inspiring stories from everyday women who've joined our "team."

Our new team members have lots to say and share with you. They come from far and wide, we know your going to love them as much as we do. Stay tuned.

Next stops on our road games:
Hope in Motion 10K & 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, August 03, 2008, 08:00 AM
Lake Merritt
568 Bellevue Ave
Oakland, CA 94612

Disneyland Half Marathon
August 29-30, 2008

Come see us if you are participating in one of these events.