Kerri's Blog

Running

It wasn’t until I was out of college, that I first gave running a chance, and I owe it to Margy for even trying it out. I had finally started to work hard on making sure I was physically active, but relied heavily on the gym. Margy urged me to run with her, and that first run had me feeling so weak in process, but when we got home I felt so light, so exhilarated, and so it began. I ran here and there, three to four miles at a time, loved to push myself my adding crazy hills to my routes. I thought about how cool it would be if I could run marathons, I loved watching people do it, but I never thought I could do something like that. It wasn’t until my friend Laurie urged me to, that I ever considered actually doing long distance. She and I worked together to lengthen our runs, and without her determination, I’m not sure I would have gone as far as I have. I’ve now run 16 miles, still not a marathon, but it still feels amazing to me! My cardiologist has encouraged me not to do a marathon, to stick to half marathons due to a heart condition I have. Though I would love to have the experience and the feeling of success to have run a marathon, I understand that I have physical limits, and I am content to respect that and continue to do half marathons instead. 

When we moved running got put on hold, and I’m back to the running a few days a week for three to four miles at a time. On New Years Day, I ran six miles in the hills of Nelson, and it felt SO wonderful! I actually was sobered by just how out of shape I am, my friend Laurie was running circles around me I had to stop to walk so many times! Laurie, who got me started in the first place was helping me back into my running life. Thank you Laurie!!! She is working herself up for a marathon this spring, and will be running the 16 mile prep run in a few weeks, the one we did together last year. I loved seeing her looking so natural, running with ease and comfort, and I am grateful that I can live vicariously through her experiences as she continues to push herself to reach new goals. Running long distance has been something I have been missing, and wanting to have as a priority again; I think this experience is what I needed to get going again. So, you’ll see notes about my progress from time to time here, don’t let me get lazy!