I was inspired to start running after I volunteered at the 26th mile of the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. As I cheered for the runners to complete this awesome feat, I was so overcome with emotion that I vowed to return the following year as a runner, and I did.
I was the girl who dreaded running the mile in gym class, so I am not sure if those who knew me believed that I was going to run a marathon. I signed up for the 2017 race as a charity runner for Ronald McDonald House Charities, and I joined my local running club Calumet Region Striders to meet other runners in my area.
I trained and raced consistently in preparation for the Chicago Marathon. The Humana Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon was my first 13.1-mile race, and I felt great throughout the run. My goal was to break two hours, and I was pacing myself with other runners. It was a warm day, and I celebrated as water was sprayed on us during the finish. However, I hadn’t technically crossed the finish line yet. As I was dancing with my arms up in the air, I soon realized that other participants were still running past me. Luckily, I realized that I had a little further to go in time to still break the two-hour mark.
Rest assured, I always run well past the finish line now.
