My running journey
My love for long-distance running didn't begin until after I had my second child. I was in my late 20's and decided that I wanted to try to run a 10k race. I learned to enjoy exercising as a teenager when I would run and go on bike rides with my dad. I ran short distances and went to kickboxing classes during my college years just to stay in shape. I never really pushed myself or realized my athletic potential until I was in my 30's. After running that first 10k, I naturally wanted to try for a half marathon. I ran some half marathons and I enjoyed training for and running that distance. I loved how running made me feel and it was awesome to have some time to myself as I was raising my young children with my husband. One day he suggested that I try to run a marathon and I'm pretty sure I said "no way"! The thought of running 26 miles was crazy to me at the time and I didn't think I could do it. I finally had enough determination to go for it and I started training for my first marathon.
I really didn't know what I was doing and I just wanted to survive the race. With my very limited running experience, I set some goals and tried to put together a training plan. I finished that race and man, those last 5 miles were brutal. I didn't feel well for quite some time after that race and, I was surprised and excited to find out that I was a couple of months pregnant with my 4th child. After having a baby, it's really tough to get back in shape, but running was a fast and effective way for me to "bounce back". I had to basically teach my body how to run again but, with consistent effort, I was able to run again at an even faster pace. I began to learn how valuable cross-training is as a runner and I trained for a couple of sprint distance triathlons in between my marathons. The swimming was so hard, especially in open water. I did enjoy the biking though!
I tried to become more knowledgeable and efficient as a runner, so I read some running books and looked up training plans. I was hooked on the marathon distance and had the goal of one day qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon. Once again, I didn't think I could do it, but decided to give it a try! Marathon training is tiring and time-consuming but I loved the "runner's high" and it was very rewarding and therapeutic for me. I was fortunate to never have any real injuries during my marathon training, and I felt pretty invincible. I pictured myself as a runner for years and years to come. Despite what some may say, marathon training made pregnancy easier for me. I had some fertility issues with babies 2 and 3 (before I started long-distance running), but I had no problems with babies 4 and 5 (while long-distance running). I was about 12 weeks pregnant with #5 when I ran the Utah Valley Marathon. Of course, my body was in good running shape before pregnancy and I was careful to listen to my body and not push myself too hard during pregnancy. With our family complete, I decided it was a perfect time to go for my Boston qualifying time.
I created a training plan that made the most of my runs- incorporating speed work, tempo runs, long runs, hills and weight lifting and biking. We had a busy family schedule, so I only had time to run 3-4 times each week. I made a commitment to never run a race or train on Sunday's, for religious reasons and honoring the Sabbath Day. I can honestly say I have stayed true to that commitment and I always looked forward to that day of physical rest and spiritual renewal. I ran the Deseret News Classic next and it had some brutal downhill, which I didn't train well for. I was really sore during and after that race, but I came within 5 minutes of a Boston qualifying time. That's when I decided that with the right race, I could qualify. I trained for the American Discovery Trail Marathon (which was the same course I ran for my first marathon). I trained hard for that race and my pace during the race was setting me up to easily snag a finish that would get me to Boston. Unfortunately, I missed the final turn which was not well marked and ended up having to back track a mile at the end of the race. I just remember calling my husband and crying when I realized that those additional 2 miles would cost me my qualifying time. My sweet boys Dylan and Christian ran those last 2 terrible miles with their emotional mom! They helped me cross the finish line. I wasn't going to let that disappointment stop me from my goal, so I signed up for another race which would be less than 2 months later in Utah. My sister Staci ran with me the last couple of miles and the tears came again- this time because I qualified for Boston!!!
I love Easter more than Christmas, and that year the Boston Marathon was the day after Easter. I wanted to be with my kids for Easter, and going to Boston would have been a stretch financially that year, so I decided not to go. I knew I could qualify again though! Next, I ran the St. George Marathon, which is known for being a fast course. I loved that marathon and qualified with a PR. I was so excited to finally get to go to Boston!
I loved going to Boston with my husband and really enjoyed seeing the sights there. Crappy thing was that the night before the race, it was absolutely freezing. I was scrambling to throw together a running outfit that would help keep me warm and dry. I couldn't find a pair of gloves in any store! The forecast for Marathon Monday was very cold and rainy. I was kind of dreading running in the freezing rain and I didn't take into account the extra fuel my body would need to run in those conditions and with a later start time than I was used to. Looking back, I definitely didn't fuel my body enough to sustain those 26 miles. When I got on the bus to go to the runners' village next to the starting line, a very kind man sat next to me and helped to calm my nerves. I had heard that Boston was a difficult course and he talked me through what to expect. He stayed with me and even gave me a hand warmer and a dry covering to sit on as we waited under a huge tent in the mud with hundreds of other runners. He even ran with me for the first half of the race, which helped me take my mind off of the coldness a bit. The rain is what made it miserable. I actually felt good and was keeping a pretty fast, steady pace for the first half of the race. My feet and clothes were soaked though, and I couldn't really feel my hands. I was amazed at the supportive crowd that still gathered along the course to cheer us on. I was inspired by the blind runners and those that were pushing others in wheelchairs. Even though I was chilled to the bone, I was grateful to be able to take in everything around me that made Boston so special. I remember the solemn feeling I had as I saw the "Boston Strong" sign and with tears stinging my eyes, I remembered those who had been been victims of the bombings at the finish line just 5 years prior. I was grateful for the extra security measures and tried to push away any fears I had.
I got to heartbreak hill and pushed through just fine. Then as I approached mile marker 22, I could feel that "wall" about to hit me. I had never experienced that feeling before during a race. I had to slow down and I could feel myself blacking out. I frantically searched for a medical tent and saw one in view. I battled with my strong desire to just finish the race but my body needed warmth and fuel and I knew I needed to listen or I was going to pass out. I went into the tent and was given a blanket, but I couldn't stop shaking. My whole body was trembling and I couldn't control it. I laid down and couldn't stand up for a while. I was moved to a nearby church and I remember the warmth I felt there and the beautiful stained glass windows. Some very kind women helped me out of my wet clothes and gave me dry clothes, a blanket and food. After about an hour I was asked if I wanted someone to drive me to the finish line. I quickly said "no" and put my shoes back on. I picked up my bag of wet clothes and started to make my way to the finish line 4 miles away in my goodwill outfit! I was really grateful for all of those wonderful people that helped me warm up so I could finish the race. All I could think about was giving my husband a hug and taking a warm shower!
After that experience, I really wanted to go to Boston again- with nicer weather! That fall I ran another marathon in Colorado. My motivation to qualify was that I wanted to get a fast time so that my mom could come watch me in Boston the next spring. I did qualify and was looking forward to going to Boston again! That year I turned 40, which was good because I had 5 more minutes of cushion for my qualifying time. I do remember feeling occasional pain in my low back that year as I would run, but it wasn't that bad and I could push through it until it subsided. I decided to take a few months off from long-distance running to give my body a rest so that at the start of the year I could start training for Boston. In November I started experiencing back pain more frequently even though I had never been injured. In December I had a pretty bad respiratory illness and pretty much threw out my low back with all of the coughing. I was in a lot of pain after that for weeks. Even sitting down to tie my shoes and then standing back up was painful. My sweet little Camden would notice when I was struggling and he would come help me stand up.
I started going to a chiropractor a couple times a week for decompression therapy. He took some x-rays and said my lower discs were pretty compressed. After many decompression treatments, I was still in pain and not really noticing an improvement. He really didn't offer any suggestions and finally said he didn't think he could help me improve. One of my acquaintances from my kids' school let me know that she was a chiropractor with a background in PT and that she had helped lots of runners. I'm so glad I switched over to her. She was so wonderful, helpful and really knew her stuff! She was able to adjust my pelvic bone and the overall stability of my spine. She gave me some great advice and suggested exercises that I could do a home everyday. Being consistent with those exercises made a huge difference in how my back felt! I would try to run occasionally at a slow pace but my low back would tense up and I would have to stop and walk after about a mile. It was frustrating and I realized that there was no way I could run Boston. I was super bummed about that. After looking at my x-rays, my sweet chiropractor let me know that running was probably going to make my back feel worse and she suggested that I see my doctor and possibly get an MRI.
I was told by my doctor that I have degenerative disc disease. Basically, from L4-S1 my discs don't have much cushion at all. They are close to being bone on bone. The good news is that by staying healthy and active, especially focusing on workouts like swimming, yoga and pilates, which help strengthen my core and spine- I can avoid needing surgery. I don't have any neurological symptoms, which is a very good thing. I was even told that I can still run but that I should avoid running on concrete and striking my heels when I run. By running with a shorter stride, on softer surfaces, with a mid-sole landing when I run, it's more comfortable. I was told that the spine even has the ability to auto fuse with consistent effort and proper strengthening. I most likely won't be running long distance anymore but I do love to go outside weekly and run for a couple of miles, just to remember what it feels like. I most likely have a genetic predisposition for my bad back, but I also now realize how hard fast-paced, long-distance running can be on your body. I would watch professional runners and be amazed at how they could sustain such a crazy-fast pace for so long and run an insane amount of miles every day. I know they deal with injuries too. It just seems like in the running community we constantly hear of the amazing accomplishments of other runners but we don't hear much about the toll it takes on their bodies.
I'm grateful for the decade I had to really push myself to reach my running goals. I learned some really valuable life lessons and hopefully inspired my kids to want to follow their dreams. I do wish that I would have had some coaching and done more to take care of myself and educate myself while I was running. The damage is done now, but I'm really thankful for everything that I still CAN do! I've been blessed with good health and a strong body that is capable of so much! Sometimes I feel like maybe I needed to find some other interests and ways to use my time, so this is just a little bump in the road. I'm focusing now on a lot more areas of my life that I've been wanting to improve on. I'm excited that my son is running cross country this year and I will be his biggest fan. Running is awesome and I'm glad that it has been such a big part of my life. I'll miss it but I have way too much to be happy about than to dwell on the sadness of giving it up.
Thanks for reading my story!
-Nat
I really didn't know what I was doing and I just wanted to survive the race. With my very limited running experience, I set some goals and tried to put together a training plan. I finished that race and man, those last 5 miles were brutal. I didn't feel well for quite some time after that race and, I was surprised and excited to find out that I was a couple of months pregnant with my 4th child. After having a baby, it's really tough to get back in shape, but running was a fast and effective way for me to "bounce back". I had to basically teach my body how to run again but, with consistent effort, I was able to run again at an even faster pace. I began to learn how valuable cross-training is as a runner and I trained for a couple of sprint distance triathlons in between my marathons. The swimming was so hard, especially in open water. I did enjoy the biking though!
I tried to become more knowledgeable and efficient as a runner, so I read some running books and looked up training plans. I was hooked on the marathon distance and had the goal of one day qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon. Once again, I didn't think I could do it, but decided to give it a try! Marathon training is tiring and time-consuming but I loved the "runner's high" and it was very rewarding and therapeutic for me. I was fortunate to never have any real injuries during my marathon training, and I felt pretty invincible. I pictured myself as a runner for years and years to come. Despite what some may say, marathon training made pregnancy easier for me. I had some fertility issues with babies 2 and 3 (before I started long-distance running), but I had no problems with babies 4 and 5 (while long-distance running). I was about 12 weeks pregnant with #5 when I ran the Utah Valley Marathon. Of course, my body was in good running shape before pregnancy and I was careful to listen to my body and not push myself too hard during pregnancy. With our family complete, I decided it was a perfect time to go for my Boston qualifying time.
I created a training plan that made the most of my runs- incorporating speed work, tempo runs, long runs, hills and weight lifting and biking. We had a busy family schedule, so I only had time to run 3-4 times each week. I made a commitment to never run a race or train on Sunday's, for religious reasons and honoring the Sabbath Day. I can honestly say I have stayed true to that commitment and I always looked forward to that day of physical rest and spiritual renewal. I ran the Deseret News Classic next and it had some brutal downhill, which I didn't train well for. I was really sore during and after that race, but I came within 5 minutes of a Boston qualifying time. That's when I decided that with the right race, I could qualify. I trained for the American Discovery Trail Marathon (which was the same course I ran for my first marathon). I trained hard for that race and my pace during the race was setting me up to easily snag a finish that would get me to Boston. Unfortunately, I missed the final turn which was not well marked and ended up having to back track a mile at the end of the race. I just remember calling my husband and crying when I realized that those additional 2 miles would cost me my qualifying time. My sweet boys Dylan and Christian ran those last 2 terrible miles with their emotional mom! They helped me cross the finish line. I wasn't going to let that disappointment stop me from my goal, so I signed up for another race which would be less than 2 months later in Utah. My sister Staci ran with me the last couple of miles and the tears came again- this time because I qualified for Boston!!!
I love Easter more than Christmas, and that year the Boston Marathon was the day after Easter. I wanted to be with my kids for Easter, and going to Boston would have been a stretch financially that year, so I decided not to go. I knew I could qualify again though! Next, I ran the St. George Marathon, which is known for being a fast course. I loved that marathon and qualified with a PR. I was so excited to finally get to go to Boston!
I loved going to Boston with my husband and really enjoyed seeing the sights there. Crappy thing was that the night before the race, it was absolutely freezing. I was scrambling to throw together a running outfit that would help keep me warm and dry. I couldn't find a pair of gloves in any store! The forecast for Marathon Monday was very cold and rainy. I was kind of dreading running in the freezing rain and I didn't take into account the extra fuel my body would need to run in those conditions and with a later start time than I was used to. Looking back, I definitely didn't fuel my body enough to sustain those 26 miles. When I got on the bus to go to the runners' village next to the starting line, a very kind man sat next to me and helped to calm my nerves. I had heard that Boston was a difficult course and he talked me through what to expect. He stayed with me and even gave me a hand warmer and a dry covering to sit on as we waited under a huge tent in the mud with hundreds of other runners. He even ran with me for the first half of the race, which helped me take my mind off of the coldness a bit. The rain is what made it miserable. I actually felt good and was keeping a pretty fast, steady pace for the first half of the race. My feet and clothes were soaked though, and I couldn't really feel my hands. I was amazed at the supportive crowd that still gathered along the course to cheer us on. I was inspired by the blind runners and those that were pushing others in wheelchairs. Even though I was chilled to the bone, I was grateful to be able to take in everything around me that made Boston so special. I remember the solemn feeling I had as I saw the "Boston Strong" sign and with tears stinging my eyes, I remembered those who had been been victims of the bombings at the finish line just 5 years prior. I was grateful for the extra security measures and tried to push away any fears I had.
I got to heartbreak hill and pushed through just fine. Then as I approached mile marker 22, I could feel that "wall" about to hit me. I had never experienced that feeling before during a race. I had to slow down and I could feel myself blacking out. I frantically searched for a medical tent and saw one in view. I battled with my strong desire to just finish the race but my body needed warmth and fuel and I knew I needed to listen or I was going to pass out. I went into the tent and was given a blanket, but I couldn't stop shaking. My whole body was trembling and I couldn't control it. I laid down and couldn't stand up for a while. I was moved to a nearby church and I remember the warmth I felt there and the beautiful stained glass windows. Some very kind women helped me out of my wet clothes and gave me dry clothes, a blanket and food. After about an hour I was asked if I wanted someone to drive me to the finish line. I quickly said "no" and put my shoes back on. I picked up my bag of wet clothes and started to make my way to the finish line 4 miles away in my goodwill outfit! I was really grateful for all of those wonderful people that helped me warm up so I could finish the race. All I could think about was giving my husband a hug and taking a warm shower!
After that experience, I really wanted to go to Boston again- with nicer weather! That fall I ran another marathon in Colorado. My motivation to qualify was that I wanted to get a fast time so that my mom could come watch me in Boston the next spring. I did qualify and was looking forward to going to Boston again! That year I turned 40, which was good because I had 5 more minutes of cushion for my qualifying time. I do remember feeling occasional pain in my low back that year as I would run, but it wasn't that bad and I could push through it until it subsided. I decided to take a few months off from long-distance running to give my body a rest so that at the start of the year I could start training for Boston. In November I started experiencing back pain more frequently even though I had never been injured. In December I had a pretty bad respiratory illness and pretty much threw out my low back with all of the coughing. I was in a lot of pain after that for weeks. Even sitting down to tie my shoes and then standing back up was painful. My sweet little Camden would notice when I was struggling and he would come help me stand up.
I started going to a chiropractor a couple times a week for decompression therapy. He took some x-rays and said my lower discs were pretty compressed. After many decompression treatments, I was still in pain and not really noticing an improvement. He really didn't offer any suggestions and finally said he didn't think he could help me improve. One of my acquaintances from my kids' school let me know that she was a chiropractor with a background in PT and that she had helped lots of runners. I'm so glad I switched over to her. She was so wonderful, helpful and really knew her stuff! She was able to adjust my pelvic bone and the overall stability of my spine. She gave me some great advice and suggested exercises that I could do a home everyday. Being consistent with those exercises made a huge difference in how my back felt! I would try to run occasionally at a slow pace but my low back would tense up and I would have to stop and walk after about a mile. It was frustrating and I realized that there was no way I could run Boston. I was super bummed about that. After looking at my x-rays, my sweet chiropractor let me know that running was probably going to make my back feel worse and she suggested that I see my doctor and possibly get an MRI.
I was told by my doctor that I have degenerative disc disease. Basically, from L4-S1 my discs don't have much cushion at all. They are close to being bone on bone. The good news is that by staying healthy and active, especially focusing on workouts like swimming, yoga and pilates, which help strengthen my core and spine- I can avoid needing surgery. I don't have any neurological symptoms, which is a very good thing. I was even told that I can still run but that I should avoid running on concrete and striking my heels when I run. By running with a shorter stride, on softer surfaces, with a mid-sole landing when I run, it's more comfortable. I was told that the spine even has the ability to auto fuse with consistent effort and proper strengthening. I most likely won't be running long distance anymore but I do love to go outside weekly and run for a couple of miles, just to remember what it feels like. I most likely have a genetic predisposition for my bad back, but I also now realize how hard fast-paced, long-distance running can be on your body. I would watch professional runners and be amazed at how they could sustain such a crazy-fast pace for so long and run an insane amount of miles every day. I know they deal with injuries too. It just seems like in the running community we constantly hear of the amazing accomplishments of other runners but we don't hear much about the toll it takes on their bodies.
I'm grateful for the decade I had to really push myself to reach my running goals. I learned some really valuable life lessons and hopefully inspired my kids to want to follow their dreams. I do wish that I would have had some coaching and done more to take care of myself and educate myself while I was running. The damage is done now, but I'm really thankful for everything that I still CAN do! I've been blessed with good health and a strong body that is capable of so much! Sometimes I feel like maybe I needed to find some other interests and ways to use my time, so this is just a little bump in the road. I'm focusing now on a lot more areas of my life that I've been wanting to improve on. I'm excited that my son is running cross country this year and I will be his biggest fan. Running is awesome and I'm glad that it has been such a big part of my life. I'll miss it but I have way too much to be happy about than to dwell on the sadness of giving it up.
Thanks for reading my story!
-Nat
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