I have been a member of SP since Nov. 2008. I love the program. I feel it gives me focus and it's a stable place I can go when I feel overwhelmed or struggling internally. I have seen a lot of people come and go and it saddens me to see some people rise to the top as motivators, and then disappear because they feel they failed and can no longer motivate others. I think this is a flaw in the program. I don't blog a lot or try to motivate others very much, because I'm not a role model, a ...

I have been a member of SP since Nov. 2008. I love the program. I feel it gives me focus and it's a stable place I can go when I feel overwhelmed or struggling internally. I have seen a lot of people come and go and it saddens me to see some people rise to the top as motivators, and then disappear because they feel they failed and can no longer motivate others. I think this is a flaw in the program. I don't blog a lot or try to motivate others very much, because I'm not a role model, a humorous writer, or an introspective philosopher. I do give advice on the forums sometimes because I have learned some things over my several years of reading spark articles, or I might give advice about what has helped me or has been successful during my journey. I can only hope that some of the things I say will help another person with their journey, even though I am not all that great at following my own advice!

Anyway, I started running in early 2010. It was very much a trial-and-error experience for me. 2.5 years later, I finally feel like I kind of know what I'm doing. I am still run-walking mainly. I did couch to 5k twice. I have had stress fractures. I have had hip and IT band problems. I have had motivation wane and set my running stamina back to nearly the beginning. I have struggled with alcohol abuse and been too sick to exercise sometimes. So I would definitely still consider myself a "beginning" runner. I have determination to see this through and continue improving, getting healthier, and I will never give up. I may progress a lot slower than most people, but I am the turtle who will win my race in the end.

________________________________________
_____
I was never overweight until I hit the age of 30. I did all sorts of sports in high school, and after high school was an avid backpacker and hiker. I stayed thin without really trying until I was almost 30. Then I gained 40 lbs after taking antidepressants, becoming separated from my husband, drinking alcohol heavily for several years, and unhealthy eating.

I have struggled with drug use and depression my entire adult life. I am clean off drugs now, but there are some lingering health problems as a result that I take medication for.

For my own record keeping:
Race for the Roses 5K 4/11/10 -- 33:26
Earth Day 5K 4/24/10 -- 31:53
Fremont 5K 6/11/10 -- 33:40
Hagg Lake Triathlon 7/9/11
Run Like Hell 5k 10/23/11 32:05
Winter Wonderland 4 miler 11/26/11 43:43
RiverFest 10K 5/26/12 1:15:00
Run Like Hell 10K 10/21/12 1:08:34
Las Vegas Half Marathon 12/2/12: 3:03:30 (ouch)

Read More About -CORAL- (Updated April 12)

Member Comments Page (399 total):  << First< Previous23456Next >Last >>