about run pretty run fast

Welcome to run pretty run fast, I should probably just call this blog run fast because I mostly write about my training and racing but let’s be honest I like to run with style (really ask anyone who’s ever met me).

I started this blog because I like running and apparently I also like writing about it.  I’m also really fond of run-on sentence and comma splices so I apologize in advance, oh yeah and I’m not the most punctual blogger.  (I know… I sound awesome).

okay, here’s the long story long…

pretty

Even from an early age I had an eye for fashion and style, check me out running in third grade with my slim fit jeans, over sized-T (my dad’s Eugene celebration race T) and stylish oversized belt (so 80’s).

High school was no different (early 90’s) I decided the school issued running shorts didn’t fit my style so I purchased my own pair of Umbros and scraped off the logo (my high school wouldn’t let me run in them with the logo). Umbros were SO 1990.

My love for fashion and style has followed me to adulthood (or something that looks like adulthood). I don’t believe I need to sacrifice fashion or style while running (which partially explains my ridiculous  running wardrobe)- but it’s important to note I won’t sacrifice function for style. So while this blog is about running, it’s also about getting to the finish line with a little bit of style. What makes you feel pretty when you run? Go ahead, embrace it!

fast

I like to run fast. I first discovered my love for speed in high school while playing basketball. I was a freshman and we were running lines for missed free throws (we missed a lot of free throws). We were about three court lengths in and I was trying to beat two of the girls on my team (okay, so I’m sort of competitive) for some reason I decide to run up on my forefoot and I was g-o-n-e gone. A sprinter was born. I eventually ended up on the track team, ran the 200m, then the 400m and finally settled on the 800m.

I thought my days of running fast were done after college and settled in for a decade of easy runs. It all changed when I decided to run my first marathon and returned to the track for speed workouts. My love affair with speed was quickly rekindled.

I was content running fast once a week and chipping away at my marathon time until a few years ago when I decide to see just what I could do in the marathon. This also meant a return to racing anything from 5k to 15 miles. So this blog is about running fast. What’s fast for you? Go ahead, chase it!

my running story

I’m a northwest runner; love everything about running in the northwest. I love the changing seasons, the fact that you can always run outside no matter what time of the year it is, I even enjoy running in the rain; yes the rain!

Most people look at me and assume I’ve been running my whole life, but not so much (though surprisingly the older I get I might have to change my tune).

As noted above I first hit the track here and there in grade school. My first road race wall called ‘The Race’ (pretty creative right?) and it was an 8k. Check out my stylish Nike outfit my swish even matches my number.

My second race was called the Butte to Butte. My running career ended for the first time right after this race. I was in 5th grade, it was a 10k, the race was on a Sunday morning and there were NO bathrooms. This lack of bathrooms ended my career. I quit for a second time after 6^th grade and for a third time after 8^th grade (note, I was smart enough to not go out for track in 7^th grade, had I, I’m fairly certain I would have quit as well). During practice all we did was run 3/4 of mile I thought I was dying every time; it was so long- true story.

I finally decided I’d be a runner my freshman year in high school, my friend told me I’d get to go to Palo Alto for spring break if I came out for the track team. I didn’t have any spring break plans, and I didn’t know where Palo Alto was, but reasoned it would be much more fun (and drier) than rainy Eugene. So I found myself running repeat 300 meters on my first day of track practice, out sprinting another kid (okay it was a boy) and they decided I’d be a good fit for the 400m. I didn’t know any better so I went along with it.

Before I knew it I’d broken a school record in the 800m landed a scholarship to a University in Eugene. I had a great time running around the track but figured my competitive days were done once I graduated. I kept running for the pure joy of it until a few years ago.

My first race after college was Hood to Coast (on my dad’s team) followed by my first marathon in Portland. I was hooked after both races and look forward to many more years of running. I hope this blog helps chronicle these years, running pretty and running fast.

On a final note, and one that’s a bit more personal. Running isn’t the most important thing to me, though it is very important. The most important thing to me is my relationship with Jesus. There was a fourth time I almost quit running; it was after my freshman year at Oregon. After the spring track season my freshman year I asked Jesus into my heart. It was the best decision I’ve ever made and it’s a pretty crazy how it all happened. At that point God gave me my love of running back and I realize I’m blessed to be able to run.

james 1:22