When I first started running seriously, I decided that running a marathon was something I wanted to scratch off my bucket list. Why not right? Who needs to start small with a 10k when you can go full throttle?! I figured since I used to run with my dad growing up and I did track when I was 12, it would be a breeze! Obviously, I was super naive and I had no clue what I was getting myself into. But I started training…badly. But I trained. Race day I was severely under trained but stubborn enough to push myself to finishing in just under 5 hours. Injured (obviously), I took time off from running until I started to run again for fitness a few months later.

Fast forward to the Spring of 2009, that was when I met my husband. On our third date he had just ran a 10k race and I realized how much I missed it. We started running together training for a fall 10k, that lead to more 10k’s, a 10 miler, and a half marathon. Now here I am with a plethora of medals, that my son loves to play with, for many half marathons, 5k’s, 10k’s, another marathon. I even started working with a coach to take my running to the next level.

In the fall of 2014, I made the decision to stick to the half marathon as my furthest distance and I started enjoying running even more than when I had been marathon training. Running for me has always been my way to escape and clear my mind, it’s my meditation and when I do my best thinking. As a yoga teacher who teaches many power classes in a week, I often say “I thought of this as I was running”. To be able to move and feel and see my body getting stronger has only increased my love of running even more.

This photo was taken during the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (Half) in October of 2014, it was the race that brought my half marathon time to sub 1:40. By far my proudest running  moment! I know that there are bigger moments just waiting to happen.

Thank you running for showing me the strength inside of me, for keeping me moving and improving, not just athletically but personally as well.

Thank you running for showing my 4 year old how much fun it is to get your legs moving. He has already run an 800m and a 2.5km race, and he wants to run more and more 🙂

Share your thank you running story via Twitter or Instagram or by uploading your story at thankyourunning.com with Brooks Running (@BrooksRunning). You could win a trip for 2 to Amsterdam for the 2016 European Athletic Championships! Don’t forget the hashtag…#thankyourunning

Start sharing 🙂