Happy 9 Months!

I'm allowed to have monthly anniversary's for running, right? This month marks 9 months of running. I cannot believe where I am now. There are no words for it. I've always been very competitive and good with sports. I know my limits and I know how to push myself to those limits and become better. Never in a MILLION years did I think I would be here! EVER!! I'm so over whelmed with excitement. 9 Months ago, on October 11, 2011 I set out to run a mile. Back in high school I could run a mile under 7 minutes. But I never ran more than that mile. This October night, I couldn't run/walk that mile in 12 minutes. There were lots of tears shed. I couldn't believe where I was. How fat I was. How did I let myself get there! It was hard. Looking back, it was harder to be fat than to run as much as I run now. There is seriously something that kicks in after running 5 miles. I can remember my first 5 miler, 6 miler, 7 miler, 8 miler, 9 miler, 10 miler, 11 miler, and 13 miler! With each one, after finishing the run I celebrated with tears of excitement and satisfaction. I couldn't believe I had just gone that far. Me! I'm not a long distance runner! For the first time ever this past Saturday on my 13 mile run, I felt like a runner. And boy, did I LOVE that feeling! I've always been inspired by runners and thought those who ran were superheros. And to be one of them...I feel somewhat like a superhero. I'm so excited for this Saturday's run. And then next Saturday's run. This Saturday is 14 miles and then next is 16! SIXTEEN!!! Holy cow! I feel amazing. I feel so strong and so happy.

I was thinking today about how I was able to FINALLY keep myself going. I'm a visual person. I like to SEE results. I took my starting measurements and also photos. Yes, it SUCKED! But now I get to look at this and REMEMBER where I was and why I started!

So glad that before photo is no where near what I feel and look like today!

I also get motivated by quotes. And where does one turn for that? PINTEREST! Here are some that helped inspire me!

Really take a minute and think about the quotes. It gets you hard.

Back in October 2011, I decided to take a year and focus on me. And thus far I've lost 35 pounds, training for a marathon, and honestly the happiest I've ever been. You have to find something you love and do it! If you really want it, you won't find an excuse. You have to remember why you started and know it's going to be hard. But it will be worth it!

Happy 9 months to me! :) To celebrate how about a 14 mile run this weekend!?! Ah! :)