A few years ago, I toyed with the idea of becoming a runner. A gal I knew was a marathon runner and it seemed crazy to me that she’d go and run 26 miles just for the hell of it. But I was out of shape and ashamed to say that walking up the two very short flights of stairs to my apartment put me out of breath. bad. very bad.

So I started stalking meetup.com groups and asking said gal for advice. Her first, and my most favorite piece of advice, was simple. Go to a running shoe store and have them assess your gait. Bring your running shoes so they can show you the difference between what’s appropriate for you and what you’re using.

Not long after that, my life fell apart. My husband decided that he could no longer be married to me and in retrospect it was the best thing he could have done. The illusion of happiness I clung to was so false that I’m not sure anymore why I thought I was happy. I bought the running shoes as an act of vengence since our money was all still in the same account, but in the process found solace in the endorphins that running gave me. Idly, a few months later, I commented that I had a goal to run a full marathon within 2 years. I met that goal.

That was two years ago around the beginning of 2010. Life is much happier and I no longer need running for the endorphins. I’ve found a passion for running and I now have numerous 5k races and eight 1/2 marathon’s and 1 Full Marathon under my belt with more 5k, 8k, 10k, 12k and half marathons on my schedule. Equipment is just as important as training.

Technically all you need is a pair of shoes but I’ve found it’s a little more complex than that. Here’s what I use or have used (none of these are affiliate links):

• Nike+ watch/sensor – have also used the ipod app. OR other similar type of tracking mechanism.  Garmin watches, Runkeeper, Endomondo apps…Find one that works for you. you want something at the very least keeps time for you. Other niceties include distance traveled, pace and calories burned.
• A good pair of shoes – I have worn Brooks Ariels, Saucony Omni 8′s and lately the Men’s version of Brooks Adrenaline. Get thee to your nearest Runnign shoe store (not big box dept store or Online) and have them do a Gait Analysis for you. This means they will watch how you walk and run and recommend the best shoe for you. They may not be pretty, but if you’re looking for pretty ask if the shoe they recommend has options for different colors. Many times you can and be a bit happier about less pretty shoes. Your running shoes should last you about 3-500 miles which could equate to about 4-6 months or more depending on how often you work out with them. That watch I mentioned earlier helps in tracking this amount. hint: if the sole is falling off, it’s time to replace them.
• Self-wicking clothing – VAST difference than using cotton. Especially in socks. Cotton tends to hold all that moisture you sweat in, making it slightly less and less comfortable as you exert energy.
• Body Glide – sold as a stick similar to anti-perspirant but used as protectant against chafing and rubbing. OR
• Blue Steel Sports Anti-Chafe Cream - similar to Body glide but as a cream. This is my preference since it’s easier to apply and doesn’t seem as sticky.

Been there done that:

• Dec 2009 Jingle Bell Dash - 46:34.2 w/pace of 00:15:09

• March 2010 St Pat’s Dash - 52:50 w/pace of 00:13:55
• April 2010 Top Pot 5k – 39:39 w/no official pace recorded
• June 2010 Run with Cops 5K – 35:52 w/pace of 13:48
• November 2010 Seattle ½ Marathon – 3:08:20 Split 1 = 1:41:53 ; Split 2 = 1:33:39 Pace: 14:55  (HMar Split 1 = 1st 6.55 miles; HMar Split 2 = last 6.55 miles.)

• Feb 2011 Love ‘em or Leave ‘em Valentines Day Dash – 42:21 w/pace of 13:40
• March 2011 St Pat’s Dash 53:00 w/pace of 00:13:57
• April 2011 Captain Jack’s 8k 1:20:02.2 w/pace of 00:16:06
• May 2011 Top Pot 5k 45:09 w/pace of 00:14:32
• May 2011 UW Bothell 5k 48:44 w/pace of 00:15:43
• June 2011 Rock n Roll Seattle ½ Marathon
  Pace: 15:44 5 Km: 44:51 10 Km: 1:32:49 9 Mile: 2:20:23 ChipTime: 03:26:03
• Oct 2011 Nike Women’s Marathon Pace: 17:48  5km: 0:53:02 10km: 1:43:32 15K: 2:34:21 Half:   25K: 4:21:36 30K: 5:18:42 35K: 6:24:21 40K: 7:23:32  ChipTime: 7:46:38

• Jan 2012 Nike Women’s Virtual Half Marathon Pace: 13:51 3m: 37:41 (and then snowpocalypse hit) Finish Time: 3:37:04
• Jan 2012 Tinkerbell Half Marathon Pace: 15:11 5k:  46:00 10K: 1:33:21 15k: 2:22:21 ChipTime 3:18:06
• Top Pot 5k 2012 (April 2012)
• Portland Rock n Roll (May 2012) 5 Km  42:45 10 Km 1:26:19 10 Mi 2:20:54 Pace - 14:05 Chip Time – 03:04:27 (PR)
• San Diego Rock n Roll Half Marathon (June 2012) 5 Km – 40:27, 10 Km – 1:21:24, 10 Mi – 2:14:42, Pace – 13:43,  Chip Time – 02:59:39 (PR)
• Seattle Rock n Roll Half (June 2012) 5 Km – 41:33, 10 Km – 1:27:55, 10 Mi – 2:24:47, Pace -  14:56, Chip Time -  03:15:43
• Nike Women’s Half Marathon (October 2012) 5 Km – 41:50, 10 Km – 1:31:19, , Pace -  15:25, Chip Time -  03:21:47
• Seattle Amica Half Marathon – Sweeper for TNT (November 2012) Split 1: 1:59:00, Split 2 – 2:18:17 Chip Time – 4:16:37 (HMar Split 1 = 1st 6.55 miles; HMar Split 2 = last 6.55 miles.)
  
• Tinkerbell Half Marathon (January 2013) 5 Km – 52:59, 10 Km – 1:43:42, 15Km – 2:34:06, Chip Time -  03:35:02
• Nike Women’s DC Half Marathon (April 2013) 5 Km – 45:00, 10 Km – 1:31:59, 15km – 2:19:38, 20km – 3:10:15 , Chip time: 3:20:52 Pace: 15:19
• May the 4th Be with You Virtual 5K (April 2013)

I CAME, I SAW, I CONQUERED

5K PR >> June 2010 Run with Cops 5K – 35:52 w/pace of 13:48

8K PR>> April 2011 Captain Jack’s 8k 1:20:02.2 w/pace of 00:16:06

10K PR>>  What 10k?  Maybe Lake Union? Iron Girl?

13.1 mile PR>> San Diego Rock n Roll Half Marathon (June 2012) Pace – 13:43,  Chip Time – 02:59:39

26.2 mile PR>> Oct 2011 Nike Women’s Marathon 7:46:38 yes you read that right… 7 HOURS.

Here’s my plans (I’ve put in bold the ones that are definite):

2012

• Jingle Bell Dash (Dec 2012)

2013

• Tinkerbell (Jan 2013)
• Nike Women’s Virtual 10k (Feb 2013)
• Nike Women’s Inaugural DC (April 2013)
• Top Pot 5k
• Captain Jack’s 8k
• UW Bothell 5k