Healthy Life = Happy Life

Running has become one of my favorite activities to do in life. People say I am crazy when I tell them I spent three hours of my Saturday morning putting one foot in front of the other as I hit my miles. I tell them “Yes, I know I am crazy, but I don’t care because I love it! Running to me, is like a spa day to others, it relaxes my mind, removes any stress and it keeps me calm. I love the feeling running gives me, especially because I am going at my own pace and enjoying the beautiful scenery around me. I hate treadmill runs; you will find me running in the rain with a rain jacket on before I hit the treadmills. I do have days though where I am forced to put the miles in on a treadmill, and I suck it up and get the job done!

 

I now consider myself a marathon runner. I have completed two full marathons – the 2016 New Orleans Rock N Roll Marathon and the 2016 Chasing Jefferson Davis Marathon. I am currently in training for the 2016 Savanna Rock N Roll Marathon. Being able to run is a reward for me which is why I love it so much. I was a half marathon runner before I was diagnosed with cancer; I completed three half marathons total. When I was diagnosed, I was told I would need surgery to remove the tumor. My tumor was wrapped around my soleus muscle, which would also need to be removed as well. The soleus muscle is what gives you the motion to be able to do activities such as driving and running. Getting this surgery meant I would always walk with a limp, driving would be difficult and I would never be able to run again. I made the decision to not go through with surgery, and I am beyond thankful for the decision I made because I am surviving while doing what I love the most. 

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I started running again shortly after I finished treatment. From 2013-2015, I completed four more half marathons. The time of my last half marathon before I got cancer was 2:11:36. After treatment, I finished my first half in 1:53:47, setting a new personal record. This past Thanksgiving (2015), I ran my fastest half and set a new PR with a time of 1:39:53. As I crossed the finish line, I knew it was time to conquer my next goal: to run a full marathon and qualify for Boston, something I have dreamed about for a long time. I finished the New Orleans Rock N Roll Marathon in 3:34:53, which qualified me for Boston with seven seconds to spare. Being the competitive person I am, seven seconds was not enough for me because I knew I could do better. Almost two and a half months later, I finished the Chasing Jefferson Davis Marathon in a time of 3:31:29, dropping my qualifying time for Boston tremendously. I hope to run the 2017 Boston Marathon with my aunt by my side. These were both days that I will never forget as I crossed the finish line. My oncologist and other doctors were surprised, but as much as I thought they would be. Even though they felt that running a marathon was a strech, they knew if anyone could do it, it would be me.

 

I am a dedicated and motivated runner, especially when I am able to prove you can conquer anything in life as long as you believe. Running is something that doesn’t come easy the first time you hit the streets. Just like anything in life, it takes time to learn the key factors that are involved in it. Just remember though, like anything, it may be hard now, but I promise it gets easier. Stay positive and continue to work your hardest, that is when you will achieve your ultimate goal!