It Must Be The Skirt

Sorry for not posting about my run last night, but I just needed to do a full post or I wouldn’t do it justice.

It was, by far, the best run I have ever had.

I actually feel like a runner for the first time in my life.

I ran 6.24 miles in 57:51, which is my longest run AND my best time ever per mile (average).

I honestly just cannot get over it – the longest I had ever run was just over 4 miles, so once I hit that, I just could not quit smiling. I’m sure I looked like an idiot, running around the walking track at the park just grinning for no reason. Plus, I’m pretty sure I’m the only person in town that runs in a skirt  :)

Since Nick was cutting the grass yesterday after work, I knew I wanted to try to run a bit longer than we usually do, but I was planning on just doing 5 miles – which still would have been a PDR – but I ended up doing more.

The first 3 miles honestly felt easy and fun for (quite possibly) the first time ever and I beat my last 5K time. It just felt good to be out there. I’m sure it helped that it wasn’t hot; the clouds and cool breeze definitely made it easy to get out there today and just go. Between mile 3-4, I started to get some side stitches, but I just focused on breathing through them and they would go away, then come back a bit, go away, etc. They never got so bad that I felt like I needed to stop and walk at all, which is another big thing for me.

Once I had done my 6 laps around the park and hit 4 miles, I thought about following my original plan and heading back to hit 5 miles before I got home.

But I was feeling good. And, I figured, I’m already out here, I’m not having bad cramps – let’s see if how I feel after one more lap. I still felt pretty good, and by then, I knew if I did one more lap before heading back, I would hit 6 miles. So I did it.

I did it.

I feel like such a goober, but I actually had tears in my eyes when I got home and started stretching.

Never in my life would I have ever thought that I would run 6 miles ON PURPOSE and enjoy myself and feel great. I never ran before March of last year – ever – unless you count running between bases playing softball. I never thought I could ever call myself a runner. I never thought I could push so hard and go so long (ha – that’s what she said!)

After seeing all the amazing recaps and just inspirational posts over the  past couple of weeks from other runners, I felt so motivated to just see what I could do today. To not stop because “I hit my goal for today” – to just go if I was feeling good.

I now know how hard it is to get to this point. It is not easy or fun everyday that you’re out there. I started out last year not being able to run more than 1 minute at a time. I hated it – it hurt, I couldn’t breathe, my legs burned, my lungs burned…I found every excuse to go as easy on myself as possible. Until I finally signed up and paid to run in my first 5K last April. Then I realized that I would have to start working and pushing myself if I wanted to finish a race without stopping to walk unless necessary.

This is probably the most rambly (is that a word?) post I’ve ever had, but I am just so happy and proud of myself for pushing myself and seeing what I can do.

Gah – I ran 6 miles!!!

I am Brandi – hear me run.

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Check out Danica’s Cheesy Giveaway!

Jen is giving away some sweet stuff, too!

12 comments

  1. Brandi, I’m so proud of you! Isn’t that an amazing feeling? I love runs like that! I think running can be very emotional at times. There have been random training days where just the thought of WHAT I CAN DO with my body amazes me. You are an inspiration! Way to kick butt on your run – Miss Speedy :)

  2. Brandi, I am so freakin proud of you!! You rocked those 6 miles and felt great doing it. You are an inspiration to me and I hope you know that. Go you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Congrats Brandi!! That is so wonderful!!! I’m a biiiig runner and I know how amazing that feels each time you hit a big milestone!! Congrats!!!!!!!

  4. I can totally relate to your entire post! When I first started running I could only go 1/4 of a mile before I was huffing and puffing. I thought doing a 5K was crazy…..then I went on to run a half marathon….You set mini goals and reach them and before you know it, you are running further than you ever imagined. And you are right – it IS the best feeling ever. Congrats and definitely savor it for all it’s worth, you earned it.

    Thanks for the contest shout out and for adding me to your blog roll! Good luck!

  5. Brandi, thank you so much for this post—it was exactly what I needed to hear today. You are an inspiration!! Keep running!!

  6. I LOVE this post :)

    I’ve been trying to run consistently and find it difficult without the inspiration. It’s so good to hear “I’ve been where you have and look where I am now.” It’s like a fresh dose of inspiration to get me to put on my sneakers and just DO IT.

    Congrats!

    thank you Brandi!

  7. Wow Brandi!
    6 miles is so awesome, I’m glad you are so proud of yourself because you totally should be!

  8. Good job!

  9. But please, don’t turn into a crazy runner and ruin your knees/hip/back etc. You don’t need to run a half marathon or marathon. My max is 7 miles and that’s just fine.

    • Thanks for the notes Jennifer! I’m not sure what my future goals are with running, but I do know that whatever I do will be done safely and thought out before hand :)

  10. Great post, Brandi! You are an inspiration!!

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