My running journey began in September 2005 when I challenged myself to start the Couch to 5K program. After completing the training, I was shocked I could run a 5K in less than 30 minutes. As a child with severe asthma, I was on steroids for the first 10 years of my life. I was an overweight kid. I wasn’t active, therefore, I put on the weight.
It wasn’t until my college years did I really start focusing on getting the weight off. I always wanted to be a runner, but I couldn’t run down the block without being out of breath. Many times I had this dream that I was running. Think Forrest Gump, that was me in my dreams. I had this dream over and over again. Since finishing the C25K program I have run multiple 5K’s, but each and every time I ran, I always had the desire to go just a little farther with my journey.
Dawn and I met about two years ago. We instantly found out we had multiple things in common-health, the Razorbacks, and eventually running. In June of 2006, she mentioned running a 5K in AR. At that time it had been a few months since I did a 5K so I told her I would run it with her. It was at that moment our friendship began. In June of 2007, we ran the race again together. Dawn had just given birth to her second daughter and she ran the entire race. No stopping! She was amazing! She kept me going in that race.
Over the course of the last few months she and I talked about the 10K race and whether or not we should do it. I knew I could, but I wasn’t sure I was ready. In July, I joined PNP and found I wasn’t the only runner in our group. It was the group that really got me thinking about the Las Vegas Half Marathon. This eventually got me thinking I should probably run a 10K before I do a ½. So, when Dawn mentioned she was going to do it, I again, told her I was in.
Dawn and I have a great friendship. It was great running it with her. Being it was both of our first times to do a 10K, we were able to share it together. I really treasure the friendship I have with Dawn. She is such an encourager. We spend many hours a week emailing each other, talking about running, PNP, or whether or not we got up and exercised that morning.
Overall, I finished the10K with lots of pride, but I also gained a friendship that will last forever.
My next journey takes me to the Half Marathon in Vegas! Run Jessica Run!