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For the Love of the Run

All that running over Christmas break sure has paid off! Today I had an amazing 9 mile run around the Charles averaging 7:40 minutes/miles. I'm pretty sure that's the longest I've ever held that pace. It feels so good to have worked to so hard for something and see the results. I never thought I'd say it but running has honestly become my favorite thing to do in the world. When I first started triathlon I absolutely hated running more than anything because it was just. so. hard. Every step I took shocked my body into discomfort. And I was always injured! Between knee problems, hip problems, shin splints galore, sprained ankles, strained feet...I was visiting the physical therapist with a new ailment every month. One PT even had the nerve to ask me if I "had to run." because apparently my body just wasn't built for it. That absolutely broke my heart. I think that day I decided no matter how painful it was or how injured I got, I had to keep running. And hopefully, it would just all eventually get better. A couple years later, it did.
I met Chris in the midst of a sprained ankle, and when I got better he made me take a step back, stop running for just mileage, and really work on my form. He took me on short barefoot runs and made me run on the track. He stopped my heel striking and made me run forefoot with flexible knees and loose ankles. He was so patient and explained the science behind running with good form. I owe him so much for changing my ways and giving me my run back. After that I slowly built back up and got out of my awful stability shoes and orthodics. Once I actually felt comfortable running and could get into a motion, the speed started kicking in. My 9 minute miles dropped down to 8:30s, then 8:15s, then 8 minutes and now I'm consistently running 7:40s or so for 6+ miles. It's literally taken 2 years of consistent running to get here...but it was all so worth it. Every time I get home from an awesome run I think about how thankful I am to have Chris and how much he's taught me about my favorite thing in the world- triathlon.
Who knows where I'd be without my favorite running coach? Probably with a brace on my knee and ice on my shins, sitting next to my stability shoes wondering why I still run at all...

love love love,
me

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