Five Trips

... Down Memory Lane

Happy Friday everyone!   Today's DC Trifecta topic is Five Trips.


My trips are down memory lane.

Reflecting on how it started has given me a much needed, healthy dose of perspective.  There's nothing better than fresh motivation and determination to move forward.  Here's to all the new memories.



First Running Steps

I was bored with my lunchtime routine at the Y.  I made up my mind to run on the treadmill one day when the gym was cavernously empty.  My first goal was to run to an entire song without stopping (and then two times, etc.).  It certainly didn't happen overnight.  I remember being ecstatic when I reached 6 minutes.  Which song?  Lou Bega's Mambo No. 5.  Hee hee -- I don't know why!  I have it on my iPod just for old times sake.

A little bit of Monica in my life...
A little bit of Erica by my side...



First Outdoor Run

I ran beside my sister on the country roads around our childhood home on the muggy, quiet early morning day of our Mother's funeral.  It was a wonderful way to clear our heads, talk a little, find some peace and prepare for the long, sad, incredibly tough day ahead.

I then began running outdoors on weekends, but only with our dog Mini.  I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I was self conscious.  Mini gave me the excuse to justify why I was out running in the park.  {Hi folks, just exercising the dog here}.  Why did I feel I needed an excuse?  Thankfully, I quickly got over that nonsense.


First 5k

I was one month away from my first half marathon -- what was going to be my first race ever.  But, I was nervous!  I knew jack squat about running a race.  I decided to run the local Jingle Bell 5k to get an idea of what to expect.  It hurt!  (An omen!)  Initially, I sorta thought it was the worst experience ever.  How on earth was I going to run 13.1 miles?  How on Earth? 

But I was also proud of myself.  I finished in 30:42.  According to my trusty Timex sports watch (Garmin who?) I thought I had been training at an 11 minute pace.   I just rocked out a 9:54!  I can DO this!



My sister ran with me at my 3rd race ever (a 10k)!



My second Disney half (a better pic)

First Half Marathon

I credit our love of Disney World for giving me the motivation, The Reason, to run a race -- and it was going to be a half marathon!  I trained for four months.  Heck, there was no rush to even register.  I had the luxury of watching the runDisney % full statisitc slowly increase --- those were the good ol' days. 

I knew my family was there, but I had no hope of spotting them in the crowd.  When I turned the corner to come into the finish chute (after passing the choir singing We Are The Champions -- this still gives me chills), I looked up and saw my husband standing RIGHT THERE.  Right There!  The first words yelled out of my mouth?  "I ran every crappin' step!"   Yeah, maybe not the best choice of words for WDW.  After a Corral E start, my time was 2:26.

First Marathon

Fast forwarding through many miles and many races, I fully expect to make a new memory this year.  I'm not sure which marathon it will be.  It will partly depend on the lottery system.  I've got several options and will wait and see what happens. 

How I select it, or it selects me, will all be part of a wonderful new curve on my memory lane.

Take a trip down memory lane and please share it with me!
What started your running journey?

I'm linking up with the awesome ladies from the DC Trifecta:  Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?! and Mar from Mar on the Run!.

 Please visit or, even better, join in on the Friday Five.