Jessica is a member of
the RAF Running Club. She and I started running together back in, well we don't
really know, so we're going with January . We actually met in HIIT class though
and one day the topic of shopping in Cambridge came up. She had never been to
Cambridge & I couldn't believe it, so I offered to take her. From there our
friendship bloomed and blossomed and then one day in the Sauna I said, "Hey,
you wanna do this mud run with me". She agreed, not really knowing
what she'd just signed herself up for.
Every since then I have
asked her time & time again, "Hey, you wanna..." She has
agreed all but once...I'll tell you a secret, Jessica does not like heights! So
she climbed a mountain with me but not a monument. She likes to keep her feet
on the ground, not skinny, spiral staircases. I love how willing she is and
that she is always game for coffee! She is a great friend. I'm so glad we met
and I'm really going to miss her!
First
tell us a little about yourself:
Age: 33
Married: Married
to James
Parent: Mother
of 4 boys
Do you work outside the home: I
don't work outside the home.
We're getting ready to move to Shaw AFB, South Carolina.
How
do you find time for running along with your everyday life: I give myself permission to have a few dust bunnies in my
house and not define my worth by how OCD clean my house is. I get a far greater
sense of worth from running and my fitness accomplishments.
How
and when did you first get into running: My
running journey started when I ran a 5k for Breast Cancer on RAF Lakenheath in
the autumn over 2 years ago. I had just started working out on 9 July 2011 to
lose weight. When I brought the idea of running up to my husband-- the crazy
look he gave me was enough to make sure I went and did it. He looked at me like
yeah okay chic, no way you're running 3.1 miles. I was still over 200lbs. I
finished dead last carrying a then 5 year old on my back, with my other three
kids running along side me. I collapsed at the finish in the grass and cried. I
went home telling myself never again. I couldn't walk without limping for a few
days but my kids were so incredibly proud of me. I started running around my
village. I kept entering 5ks. I took my boys with me. I told the eldest two to
grab my arms if I tried to walk or quit and pull me along. They kept me
laughing, even with tears streaming down my face, and their blind love,
devotion, and sometimes shouting "Don't you QUIT on us MAMA" kept me
running through the pain and the feeling of "I'll never REALLY be a
runner." I kept working out. I kept running. Before I knew it, I entered
my first half marathon on RAFM Sept 9, 2012. I finished second to last in
3:20:55, didn't receive a coin for completing the race, and couldn't walk for 3
days after and felt defeated again by this crazy thing called running. I sobbed
to my husband, "never again." HE was incredibly proud of me and
encouraged me to try again. I ran another half in Reading, and I went back and
ran RAFM half. This time getting coined by the commander. To date, I've run and
bettered my time in 4 half marathons.. My favorite distance is the half.
How
has running impacted your life: I'm
a completely different person because of running. It's impacted my life by being
able to chase and play with my kids without being out of breath, being able to
be fit and healthy, being happy with the girl looking back at me naked in the
mirror.
Does
anyone else in your family run: Everyone
in my family now runs. My husband James for his PT test focuses on the 1.5mi
run but has committed to training for a 5k/10k with me at our next duty
station. My sons Logan (15), Grant (13), Hunter( 11), and Mason (7) all run
with me and at school. The furthest I push them to run is a 5k. The oldest two
could probably run farther but I want running to be fun and easy. The 5k
distance is short, sweet, and we crack up laughing as we do it.
Do
you run alone or with friends: I like to run alone and with others. It all depends on the
mileage and my mood.
What
was your fitness like before running: NONEXISTENT.
I
run because: It's
my ME time.
Your
favorite running gear: I love Nike
running bottoms, Mizuno Wave Rider shoes, my Garmin Forerunner 210, my Moving
Comfort Maia sports bra, Nike Dri-fit socks, and all my race shirts. My husband
swears I sign up just for the shirts.
What
has been your biggest accomplishment as a runner: I may hurt, have blisters and bleeding toes...but I don't quit. I always, always finish. Each time I cross that finish-line it is a wonderful accomplishment and I feel blessed that I am able to do so.
What
advice would you give to new runners: I'd
tell new lady runners to get a proper sports bra, good running shoes, and find
someone to run with.
Races:
What distances have you ran: I've
run 3k, 5k, 10k, and halfs. I've done Santa runs, mud runs, and looking forward
to my first color run this weekend.
What are your favorite distances & types of runs: My
favorite distance is the half.
What do you look for in a race before signing up: I
look for good support (will they have water, gels, toilets, medical personnel).
I also look at the bling because I love being able to display my
accomplishments
What are your current personal records: My
current PB is 2:39:27 for Edinburgh's half.
What was your most memorable race: My
most memorable race was a 10K night run in Victoria Park, London. I ran with
some awesome ladies and felt in my heart for the first time that I actually
have some business calling myself a RUNNER. I finished under my goal in
1:09:23.
Motivation
& Inspiration:
What motivates/inspires you to lace up your shoes and step out
the door time & time again: I
am motivated watching people do their best no matter their fitness level. I cry
watching women run for the first time who are struggling but they don't quit. I
am amazed watching elites blast by running effortlessly. There's beauty in all
of it for me.
Have you experienced a runner’s high: I
do experience the runner's high once I finish the race.
What about those miles that make you feel like quitting, how do
you push through: When I want to quit, I
tell myself there will come a day when I can no longer run. Today is not that
damn day and I pray to the Lord to help me find it from somewhere to keep
going. I sing aloud, I dance, I cry when it hurts but I don't let myself stop.
Laughing while it hurts keeps me moving and going. I never want to disappoint
or hold back the people I am running with and it pushes me to go even when my
legs want to fall off.
Do you have a running coach or mentor: Jessica
& I were talking about runners, more specifically women runners, thinking
that they are nothing special, that nobody cares or they don’t matter. Women in
general just do not think to highly of themselves uh? That was the question I
asked Jessica and this is what she said, “Wow. Bad bad bad. Cuz they all
rock! They are special because look how they change their families lives. Look
at what Cindy did for me! My whole family runs now, we're really healthy, my
mom runs, my brother is back into running and I've inspired my cousins. All
because Cindy encouraged me. She ran with me and told me I was doing well and
she really made me feel like I could do this. It was a 4mi run and I was going
to quit. I was crying and Cindy ran back around and ran with me. It was just so
sweet and positive and I am convinced god put her in my life in that moment as
my angel to keep me running and going”.
When did you realize you loved running: When
I was running a trail to the Honington Camp Post Office I had this moment
running in the sunshine under an arbor of trees where i could feel my feet
flying and one step to the next was effortless and easy my legs didn't hurt my
lungs didn't burn and it was magic.
Diet:
Have you lost or gained weight due to running: I
went from being 230lbs to now weighing in at 165lbs. I still want to lose or
shift 15lbs from fat to muscle.
Music:
Do you run with it or without it & why: If
I run by myself I like to run with music. If I am running with a group I like
to run without it and just talk to each other.
Top 3 fav songs on your running playlist right now: Top
three songs : Skrillex featuring the Doors - Breaking a Sweat, Alicia Keys--
Girl on Fire, Bruno Mars-- Locked out of Heaven.
Injuries:
Experienced them & did they make you want to quit: I've
been very fortunate to not be injured from running.
Have you lost any toenails: I've
not lost any toenails and am very thankful to have been properly fitted with my
Mizunos in a 9.5 ( I walk around wearing a 8 or 8.5 in regular shoes). I also
keep my nails lacquered and cut well back from the edge of my toe. I think this
helps.
Dreams
& Goals:
What is your running goal this year: My
running goal this year is to run the Hard Rock Café Nashville Marathon on
November 9th.
What is your running dream: My
running dream is to run the London Marathon or the NYC Marathon and finish in
under 5hrs.
If you could run your weekend run with anyone in the world
who would it be: I'd always pick my best
friend Tonya because she's easily the best person to run with, get lost with,
and have a good time with.
1 comment:
I think your friend Jessica sounds like a really cool person! I enjoyed reading her interview. She sounds quiet amazing. So she is moving to South Carolina soon? :( I'm sure that is going to be tough on you. Your turn is coming though honey, you will be coming back state side soon but it just seems like forever. I don't know if I can wait that long to see you again. We have never gone this long without seeing each other before and it is really starting to bother me a lot. I find myself thinking things to do or plan if only Tonya were in the states, maybe we could plan whatever it is together. I miss you so much. But it warms my heart to read how you have embraced life and how God keeps bringing the right people into your life to keep you moving and growing and blossoming into the beautiful woman you have become and you absolutely amaze me. Just missing you this morning really bad and so I've been sitting here reading through your blogs and of course they make me cry and miss you more. :) But I really think I like this girl. She sounds very comical and like she is a fun person. I love fun people.
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