How Running Changed My Life (And How It Can Change Yours Too)

For much of my life, I was either overweight or obese, perpetually cycling through various diets—Slim Fast, South Beach, you name it. I had resigned myself to the belief that I wasn’t ever going to be anything outside of “chubby.” This mindset led me to think that certain experiences were simply out of reach: becoming a runner, participating in athletic events, or even feeling confident in my own skin.

In February 2009, a friend introduced me to the Couch to 5K program. As someone who enjoyed walking, the idea of incorporating short bursts of running seemed intriguing. I didn't have a grand plan or a moment of epiphany; I just thought, "Why not give it a try?"

The journey was far from smooth. The nine-week program took me several months to complete. There were weeks I had to repeat the same day with the three-minute run interval because I just couldn’t seem to get to where I could run for three minutes straight. But I kept trying, and eventually, I completed the program and finished a 5K. Feeling accomplished, I set my sights on a local half marathon scheduled 14 weeks later. It was an ambitious goal, but I was curious to see how far I could push myself.

Crossing the finish line of that half marathon was a transformative experience. I felt on top of the world and thought, “What else can I do?”

As the years went on, I completed more half marathons, multiple marathons, and even spent a few years doing triathlons. I was driven by the fact that I was accomplishing things I never thought possible, and I still wasn’t finding my limit. I kept pushing, kept wondering, "Can I go further?"

Eventually, I eased out of triathlon and focused on building strength and running, completing a 50K in 2022 and a 50-mile ultramarathon in 2024.

Running transformed my life in ways I never imagined. It taught me resilience, patience, and the power of setting and pursuing goals. The feeling of accomplishing something you once thought was impossible is truly one of a kind.

Because of this, February on the blog is dedicated to all things running. If running has ever piqued your interest, I want you to know you have a great resource for getting started safely. Every Thursday this month, I’ll be sharing my best advice for first-time runners, proper warm-ups and cool-down stretches, and how to continue progressing on your running journey.

There will be challenges, but the rewards are immeasurable.