I think of myself as a fairly new runner.

Yeah, I ran, played sports, and was a cheerleader in high school, but I was not a “runner”. Also, in college, I would start up running every summer to “get in shape”, but it always took a backseat to studies and life.

In 2013, before I knew I was pregnant, I had a goal of training and running a half marathon. I had several 5K runs lined up in the spring/summer of 2013 and was looking for a half marathon to sign up for that fall. When I found out I was pregnant, I was elated and wasn’t sure how I was supposed to keep running…

Not long after I found out I was pregnant (like within a week), I had some spotting…I freaked! The doctor said everything was fine and I was okay to keep running, but the spotting always happened after a run… So I stopped running. I walked the remainder of the 5Ks I had already paid for that summer and I started walking throughout the rest of my pregnancy.

Not until after I had little man did I really start running – and running consistently. I started a 10K training app and was doing great – but after running a weekend 5K/10K super hilly course, my knees just couldn’t handle the stress.

I then took off 4-5 months from running to give my body time to heal – and frankly, I didn’t think that I would ever run again!

In 2015, I started running again but mostly to lose the rest of the baby weight and get back into shape. Again, I wanted to run my first half marathon by the end of the year. I started slow, but I ended up running 20-25 miles a week relatively quickly and I ran my first half marathon in May. At that point, there was no stopping me! I followed up with 3 more half marathons in the fall and have been running or pacing 2-4 half marathons each spring and fall 🙂

I have received a lot of advice through my time with running – here are just a few that sick out in my mind 🙂

Run your own race

I hear this the most, all the time! “Run your own race” or “Run your own pace” are something that I tell my runners when I pace as well. We all want to keep up with the pack, but you just need to run your own race and not let others speed (or lack thereof) hinder your enjoyment!

Take the good days with the bad – they will all happen!

A 12 minute mile is just as far as a 6 minute mile…

This can be a hard one to keep in mind when trying to hit splits…but good in the long run!

Have fun and run happy!

Make a plan,…but plans change, be flexible!

This is, by FAR, the biggest thing that I think of on the daily (…other than “Run Happy!”). I always have a “plan”, but it rarely goes as I have set it… Run late, change plans. Missed alarms, change plans. Little man is awake WAY too early, change plans. Body doesn’t want to work right, change plans. Just roll with the punches… (…that might need to be another one!)

Enjoy the joy in the journey

Take time to relax!

You can do anything you set your mind to

Head up, tits out

This was a new one that I heard at the Hospital Hill Half Marathon… Not a bad saying, a little crass – but necessary 🙂

A run is a run is a run

I came up with this a while ago…and again, I tell my runners when I pace. No matter the pace, no matter the distance, a run is a run…is a run 🙂 Just get out and do it – you will always feel better after!

Stronger than yesterday

Run while you can

Life is good

This will be my tattoo someday 🙂 

Just keep running 🙂

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Check out more running inspiration with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for this week’s Tuesdays on the Run!!