Most people who know me know that I love running, and sometimes people will ask me how I started doing it. I can hardly remember a time when running wasn’t part of my life!
I did my first track meet in 1st grade, which probably had something to do with the fact that my older sister liked running, so as a 7-year old, you bet I was going to like it, too. And I haven’t stopped running since.
At my first track meet– can you guess which one’s my sister and which one’s me?
A year or two later…this race was serious business (apparently only to me). The girl in lane 2 is rocking Crocs with socks, and the kid in lane 5 is waving to his parents!
I ran my first road race (<– a whole mile!) as a 3rd grader, complete with a carb-loading pasta dinner the night before. My parents aren’t runners but they heard that was a runner thing to do.
As you can probably see, I won first place in the fashion division. Cheetah ear warmers, orange sweatshirt, pink gloves, and the best part, sweatpants that say “girlfriend” on the back. I probably shouldn’t have been allowed to dress myself until high school.
My competitive side loved racing instantly
All throughout elementary school, I played soccer and basketball, too, but I’ll be honest, I wasn’t the most coordinated kid out there. I could almost always get to the other end of the field/court first to get the ball, but once I got the ball, what the heck was I supposed to do with it?
Plus, I loved doing “suicide” sprint drills during practice and running up the giant hill near the fields after practice. What kid enjoys doing that?
My all-time favorite soccer coach, my dad ❤
I also swam for 6 years, but running was always my favorite. When I got to high school, I joined the cross country team and got to run with my sister again for my freshman year of track and cross country. Before the first day of practice, the farthest I’d ever run was 3-4 torturous miles.
After a season of cross country, though, 8 mile runs were no longer daunting; they’d actually become really fun.
After my first cross country 5k– I’m on the right
My love of distance running had begun. I did my first half marathon (1:33) when I was 16 during my sophomore year of high school. I’ve done 4 more since then, with a personal best time of 1:31. I can’t wait to try a full marathon someday!
During my first half marathon
After 3 seasons of high school track and 4 seasons of high school cross country, I was ready to take a break from structured running when I got to college, but I’ve found some awesome groups of girls to casually run with, which has been so great. These days, I run 5-6 days per week, ranging from 5-8 miles each time.
To sum it all up, I’ve tried lots of sports, from swimming to tennis to basketball to soccer, but none of them have made me feel the same way running does.
Of course, it hasn’t always been rainbows and sunshine, and I’ve had a few different setbacks and injuries along the way, but I’ve always loved the endorphin rush I get after a run or a race, the hilarious (and sometimes deep) uninterrupted conversations with friends on runs, the time to clear my head when I run by myself, and the ability to run anywhere.
Here’s to many more years of running in the future!
You are so funny! I think your outfit for your first road race is adorable.
I love running, too, but I didn’t start doing it until the beginning of college.
Thanks, Bri!! I’m glad you like my wacky running outfit. Luckily, my fashion sense has gotten a little better since then 🙂 So glad you got hooked on running, too!
I love this!! I just love how you’ve found what you love! That makes me happy 🙂 But I am glad that your were able to take a bit of a break from all the structure of running when you got to college! That must be nice 🙂 I LOVE walking! It’s my go to! I walk all the time! Sometimes I’m talking on the phone, sometimes I’m “taking the long way” and sometimes I just go out for a walk because it’s therapeutic and relaxing to me! That’s what I love!!
Cailee, you’re so sweet!! I love that you’ve found the same perfect fit through walking!
I love talking on the phone when I walk, too. And sometimes, taking the long way (which happens to me a lot on accident in college haha) and slowing down can be really relaxing 🙂
Love this! I never ran track or cross country in high school because I was worried if I felt like I had to run I would start to hate it. I played tennis in high school which was fun but I decided not to play in college and got super into running instead!
I totally understand what you mean about not liking running when you have to do it. There were definitely some times when I didn’t feel like racing but had to anyway, but for the most part, I really enjoyed it 🙂 It’s so great that running became your thing when you got to college!
Great Job!
Hi Liv- new reader here and love the blog! I love reading other people’s running stories, especially when cute photos are included!
Hey Katie!! Thanks so much for reading! Glad you enjoyed my running story, complete with embarrassing photos 😉
Loved reading your running story! I can’t believe you did a half in high school, thats so awesome! I also ran cross country and track in high school, and played soccer as well but I didn’t get the distance running bug till college. I ran a full marathon last year and I still can’t believe I actually did it! I definitely recommend running one someday, it was one of the best days of my life!
Doing the half was totally an impulse decision I made a week before the race, but I’m so glad I did it because it was such an awesome experience. Did you write about your first marathon on your blog?! I’d love to read about it!
This is seriously so awesome. I love that you have a form of exercise that brings you such a great sense of joy and accomplishment! I’ve never been the biggest fan of running, but I’m sort of starting to like it now…when I feel like it 😉
I danced all throughout high school and middle school, and I absolutely loved it. I’m taking a break in college now as I’ve taken on a liking for fitness in general, but I hope to continue with some dance classes sometime soon! I don’t want to lose what was such a huge part of me in high school!
YAY so glad that you’re starting to like running! Maybe, just maybeee, it’ll turn into a love for running 🙂
I WISH I could dance, but it’s ridiculous how bad I am at dancing! I’m in awe of people like you who make it look so easy. I hope that you get to keep dancing for as long as it keeps making you happy!
I really like the fis=rst picture of your family. That is so good to have a family. Your story is nice to get the experience you got.
i am very happy.. very nice story..i like it.thanks
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Great article!
I started getting fit 2 months ago (male 46 UK) and jogging about 7-8 km every other day now.
I just wanted to tell your readers that if they are a little older or a little overweight (like me) that they should start SLOWLY!
I started with short walks, building up to long walks before I started jogging.
Keep up the great work!
Thank you for sharing
What an inspiring journey! It’s amazing to see how running has been a consistent part of your life since such a young age. The photos from your first track meet are adorable – looks like you were destined to be a runner! I can totally relate to enjoying the ‘suicide’ sprints; there’s something about pushing your limits that’s just so satisfying. Keep sharing your running stories, they’re a great motivation for people like me who are just starting out with long-distance running!
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It’s so inspiring to hear how your passion for running started at such a young age! I love how your older sister influenced you—it’s amazing how family can shape our interests in such meaningful ways. Starting in 1st grade and sticking with it shows incredible dedication. Stories like yours remind me how powerful early encouragement can be in building lifelong habits. Thanks for sharing your journey—definitely motivates me to lace up my shoes more often! back pain devices