As many people know a little over a year ago I started on a quest to “get fit”. Long story short, I lost 40 lbs in about 8 months and maintained my “goal” weight along with building muscle. After reaching the goal I of course started setting new ones…one of them being – running. I’ve never considered myself a runner (at ALL). I could never pace myself and therefore never really enjoyed it. But I was determined to run. So in January I signed up for a Half Marathon…crazy right? I couldn’t run more than about 3 miles at the time, but that didn’t stop me…only 10 more to add on. Easy! I joined a gym and started training. My timing has never been perfect. I decided to take on running while my husband was away training. So my daughter joined me on most of my outside runs…that was hard. I didn’t enjoy those runs pushing her…but she was always perfect, so I shouldn’t complain. She made me faster and stronger! My first “training” run was 2.25 miles and my average pace was 11:29…27 minutes. Just 2 months later I ran 6 miles at a 9:11 pace…I was getting better/faster and was so encouraged by my progress. Shortly after that I ran my first road race, a 5k (3.1 miles) benefiting The Wounded Warriors Project. I averaged an 8:06 mile and couldn’t have been more happy with my 26 minute finish.