They say you never forget your first love, I actually believe that, however in my case it was not for the cute boy in my grade 2 class...aww Justin...where are you now...hahaha. Justin was not my first love, I had discovered running and was off....but first let me tell you a story.
It was 1974 and I was 6 years old and my parents were taking me to the doctor, and of course I was afraid...I thought I was in trouble because my teacher asked my parents to get me to a doctor. Why you ask, well I was and still am a very high energy individual, no one called it hyper active disorder, and why does high energy mean you have a disorder in the first place.
So there I was in the doctors office with my mother, and for the record I am one of 6 kids, and my mother was explaining to the doctor that I was not like her other kids. Yes the other kids were active but my energy was through the roof, hence the reason I was not allowed sugar either at a young age.
The doctor said there is absolutely nothing wrong with your child, and I do not condone medication, but what I will recommend is to get her involved in a highly active sport.
I did not know then but because of that doctor I fell in love with Running.
My mother laughed and said well she will have to be running for miles to get rid of that energy...which is exactly what happened.
Now what you should know is I also grew up really poor...meaning hand me downs...etc and running was also the only sport which would not cost my parents a lot of money, so they bought me a pair of running shoes and off I went.
What you also have to remember it is the 70s and parents were not helicopter parents like they are today, I also grew up with a very large german shepherd dog who became my running companion.
So before school I would get up in those early days and run about 5 k before school and 5 k after school. I never saw it as a chore, I actually fell in love with running and did so most days.
As time went on I did indeed join the track team and competed but was never quite fast enough...even though you are running a 5 k just under 20 mins...just not fast enough to win, but it never bothered me because I ran for me...not for medals or anyone else...it was for me.
Over the years I had different injuries (none were caused from running) but unfortunately running was halted because of said injuries...ACL at the age of 16 which was from a bike accident that took me out of running for a year, and I mourned that year...lol.
I make it my mission to run the Terry Fox Run every year as well, you will not see me at the event...I just ask those...friends...family...whomever will listen to donate. I run for me not to be in some event to show people I ran a 10k...to hold up a banner. That is another thing you should know about me, I have anxiety in large crowds which keeps me away from marathons or Iron Man competitions.
Instead if you are up early on that Sunday Morning (7 am) of the Terry Fox Run and you live in my neighborhood and I go running by you will see me, I have been Running this event almost every year in honour of Terry Fox.
Running for me was my outlet as a child and as I grew into a teenager I continued to run.
When I entered University I still got out on the trails a few times a week and loved those crisp autumn days when your entire body tingles from the chilly air and the hot shower afterwards.
My 30s I had problems with my knee that hampered my running...it was the ACL from when I was 16, I needed surgery again, so my 30s I switched to biking and swimming, which I do love, but not as much as my first love.
After the birth of my daughter Olivia, unfortunately I gained a lot of weight and that weight put a lot of pressure on that darn knee again and I had another accident.
The MRI showed I did indeed needed to have ACL surgery again.
At the age of 43 I went under the knife. I vowed to myself to work very hard to rehab that knee so I could get back to my first Love again....and I did.
6 Mos after Surgery I was back running 5 miles again and found out just how much I missed Running.
I was back to 135 pounds and never felt better.
For many years after that I ran 5 to 6 days a week, and realized I do need to do other things that will make running more fun, so I did. I started biking a couple times a week and get a swim in once a week, these other exercises made me appreciate Running even more.
I am so blessed that the doctor my mother took me to did not medicate me but instead got me involved in what has become a life long Love affair with Running.
What I will say is this....I don't jump out of bed every morning being excited about the run that is ahead but I will tell you this, after each run I feel like I can accomplish anything.
The sound of my shoes hitting the pavement and my ease of breath as I push each mile, there is no better feeling in the world...I know not everyone gets it but for those who do you will never forget your first Love.....Ever.
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