My Running Story

I played soccer growing up -- we're talking from second grade on, until I graduated high school, at which point I played college intramurals just so I could keep in the game somehow.  I never really thought of myself as a runner, though, being that aside from sprints at practice, I didn't run outside of a game. What was the point? Practice kept me in enough shape!

First Georgia 5K, 2011.

The summer between my two years in grad school, my roommate and I decided we'd start training for the America's Finest City Half Marathon in August. On July 4, we ran our first race ever, the Coronado July 4 15K. Yep, my first road race ever and here I am going for a 15K!

That summer, I also I played in a women's rec league in San Diego. I absolutely loved it; on July 9, just 5 days after that first-ever road race, I was playing in a game, stopped the ball, and my knee just gave out on me. I hobbled off the field, sat down and stretched for a few, and went back in about 15 minutes later. Not even a minute back in, I tried throwing in the ball from the sideline and couldn't even get my left leg to be stable enough to throw -- it was just jello. 
 

First half marathon weekend - here we go! January 2012.

Long story short, I partially tore both my meniscus and my ACL and had my first arthroscopic surgery in November 2007. Doctor said after therapy and a strong recovery, I could go back to doing what I was doing - I thought, awesome! Fast forward a year and a half, and I was playing in an intramural soccer game with my students in April 2009 in Texas - I was running, I stopped, and pop, there goes the knee. Again. Second surgery, July 2009, full ACL reconstruction with a cadaver graft. 

Needless to say, my soccer days are over. I'm terrified of even kicking a ball. But I've decided that I need someway to stay in shape, stay active, and continue in some form of stress relief. And well, running involves a straight line, no sudden turns and twists, so at least it'll be safer than soccer for now! 
 

I'm a marathoner! February 2013.

 As of February 2016, I've completed 3 full marathon, 42 half marathons, and countless 10Ks and 5Ks, not to mention additional color runs, mud runs and obstacles. Running is cheaper than therapy, keeps me happy and fit... and I love where I'm going with it!