Location: Plainfield,IL,Unites States Member Since: Mar 16, 2010 Gender: Female Goal Type: Half Marathon Finish Running Accomplishments: I ran the Soldier Field 10 Mile Run in 2008 in 1:49:10 with a 10:55 mile pace
5K: 21:10
100 Meter Dash: 13.0
200 Meter Dash: 27.0 Short-Term Running Goals: My short-term (with in the next two years) running goals are:
-Run the Soldier Field 10 Mile Run under 1:49:10
-Run a 5K under 25:00
-Run a half-marathon
-Run at least 4 days a week every week Long-Term Running Goals: My long-term running goals are:
-Run a marathon Personal: I am 23 years old. I have two brothers (Chris and Shaun) and four cousins (Tommy, Theresa, Michael, and Kenny) who are like my brothers and sister. My boyfriend of over 5 years, Ben, holds a very special place in my heart.
I began running as a sprinter in seventh grade on the track and field team. I ran as a sprinter in 8th grade and all four years of high school. My junior and senior years I also decided to run cross-country to work on endurance. In high school I was very committed and trained hard every day (in season or not, it didn't matter). After high school, surprising to me, my running slowed down and soon stopped at a halt; school and work always the excuse.
I graduated from NIU in May of 2009. There I studied elementary education. Running entered my life again when I was two buildings away from where the Valentine’s Day shooting happened. This affected my eating and sleeping patterns as well as my emotional well being. I decided that I needed to start doing something for me, something I enjoyed. So, with the support and encouragement of Ben and my high school coach, I signed up for the Soldier Field 10 Mile Run and had 8 weeks to train. Running helped me to become me again and feel safer on campus. Running brought me back. After that race, running has become an on-again, off-again cycle.
Now, I am in what I call "the in-between." I am no longer a student; however I have not found a teaching position to start what I know I am meant to do. I am finding that I am learning more about myself now than I ever have. Busy with working several part time jobs and working on middle school endorsements I have decided I am making the choice. I am choosing to take time every week for me. I have decided to push myself, mentally and physically. I have decided to make running a priority in my life.
In making the choice, Ben and I are going to run the Soldier Field 10 Mile Run this May.
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