CLARITY

When I first started running there were times when I thought I was going to die.  OK so I'm exaggerating a bit but it was tough in the beginning.  You have to admit the picture above is pretty darn funny and fits perfect with how many feel when they first start running!
Yes, that's me signaling to my sister-in-law, waiting for me at the finish, to call 9-1-1 cause I seriously felt like I was about to fall flat on my face!!

I can laugh about this now but back then I was really pressuring myself hard.

I would see all the runners in the mornings and they looked so fit and their movements were so fluid.  I wanted to be like them. So naturally I was thinking within a few weeks that's where I would be.
Uh...I quickly found out. Not so much!
But if I had only known....

Oh how I wish I had known when I first started running all the signals that running sends your body. I would have been so much kinder to me.  I wish someone had pulled me aside and said
"Listen this is what your going to feel and here is why so be kind to YOU."
I think I would have been more patient with myself and would have been more understanding had I known all the amazing processes that were taking place inside my body when I first started out. 

I would have told myself 

"It's OK that you feel tired. It's OK that you can't sprint a mile non-stop. It's really OK that your muscles are sore and everything you're feeling right now is normal."
 And I would have loved it if someone had sat me down and had a real heart-to-heart with me.
I imagine that conversation going... 

"Kim"
[insert really really long pause here]
"I know what you're thinking... You're thinking back... Yes, way back when you where little Kim, AKA Kimmy. And I know you used to run super fast but honey, let's be honest with each other, it's been a long while since those legs have seen that kind of action. So be patient. It will come."

Being brought back to reality is always a good lesson. Sometimes hard to hear but always good.

So is knowing and understanding what's happening behind the scenes. 

For example this next line shocked me when I read it. 

Did you know runners/endurance athletes have more blood volume than someone who is sedentary?

I never knew that!!

Really?    Seriously?

YES RUNNERS have a HIGHER BLOOD VOLUME.  I don't know about you guys but when I read this I was floored. I hope I'm not the only one out there that finds this totally cool and fascinating. :) Now with that being said just think about all the energy needed to build that extra blood!! And that's only one tiny portion of the runner transformation. So if you are just starting out remember this. It takes a lot of energy for your body to chisel away at the old you to strengthen and build the new you, 

The Runner.

I bet you also didn't know running stimulates the body to expand its aerobic capacity by building new blood capillaries beds, which is somewhat similar to building new highways, so more oxygen and nutrients can be delivered quickly and efficiently to your working muscles. Slow-twitch oxidative muscle fibers are developed, blood volume increases, and glycogen stores expand. More mitochondria and enzymes, necessary for greater energy production, are created. Bone cells are stimulated and make stronger bones; connective tissue, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are strengthened, and on and on. OK seriously! This is pretty freaking amazing dontcha think??? That is a heck of a lot of stuff going on inside our bodies. Geesh. How dare I get aggravated at me! It's true though and sadly we don't realize all of this internal work going on because we can't see it; however, it becomes evident when overuse injuries, like tendonitis, stress fractures, muscle strains, or shin splints appear. And boy-oh-boy we don't like any of these problems.
So be careful, listen to your body and please please take it easy on yourself.

So when you start running remember this. There is a lot going on inside your body so trust it. It knows what its doing. Fuel your body right, drinks lots of water, get adequate rest, supplement your diet with a mutli-vitamin and keep an eye on your iron stores as they can become depleted much easier if you run regularly.

It's been a little over a year now that I've been running at least 3-5 times a week.

In that year...

I ran my longest race which was a 10 miler at Disney.

I found strength in family and finished my longest run to date with my Sole Sista Jackie.

I'm a little less puffy these days due to running and eating a healthy diet.
It's puffy not fat. haha

I've connected with some amazing men and women on-line and in person who inspire me to be my very best and teach me a lot about running.

Back in 2010 - Arlene, Myself and Gabby

I've seen old friends take up running and let it take them places they never dared dream.
Gabby up there on the right is a running machine. I talked her into going with me to a run and she hasn't stopped. You go Gabby Girl!!
She just ran her second Half Marathon last weekend!!

Teri, Myself, Arlene and Zoe at the Orlando Color Run.

I've made new friends and reconnected with old ones.
We've all ran a few runs together and we hope to do more this year!

I've accomplished a lot in a year and I hope to keep excelling and inspire others to get out and move!

What have you learned about you, your body and running that you would love to share?
I would love to hear from you!