Running like a girl

“Baby, every day you’re training to get the gold…

That’s why your body’s crazy…

But you can’t run from yourself, that’s where it’s difficult.”

(from TKO by Justin Timberlake)

I’ve been running on the elliptical for about two years and during that time, along with eating healthy and treating my body well, I’ve lost about seventy five pounds. I haven’t set any goals, I don’t drink any special powders, or take any supplements; I just woke up one day and decided this isn’t the me I want to be. Running on the elliptical in my gym and cranking up the music is great, but occasionally it’s nice to add a bit of variety. Most recently I’ve be on a running kick…out in the real world! Out of the gym and into the great outdoors! I run at least twice a week with a couple friends and I recently went on the Slime Run at Remlinger Farms in Carnation and the Cosmic Run at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup and had a blast! I just signed up for the West Seattle 5K and I hope to add a couple more throughout the year.

Being a runner kind of feels like a special club and it’s a bit intimidating at first, especially as a woman. When I went to buy my first pair of official running shoes I had so much anxiety because I had no clue what I was doing. I was lucky to have a very helpful staff member at Sound Sports talk kindly to me through the process of finding the perfect shoes. It was empowering and comforting to feel welcome in this new world.

Here are two books in our collection that really called to me:

Running Like A Girl: Notes On Learning To Run by Alexandra Heminsley

Rather than your usual “this is how you become a runner” book, Alexandra brings it to a human level. With humor she shows the realistic failings and expectations she encountered along her journey to become a runner. It was completely relatable and an enjoyable read. I found myself celebrating her successes and crying along with her when her journey turned emotional.

Sole Sisters: Stories of Women and Running by Jennifer Lin and Susan Bogert Warner

Sole Sisters is the club I want to be a part of. The empowerment one gains by running, the camaraderie, and the tackling of fears and doubts through the pounding of pavement is awe-inspiring. These stories from 5K runners to marathoners gave me a sense of pride and accomplishment in myself, my friends, and the women who shared their stories in the pages of this book.

Also, check out: