ROLI'S CORNER
Running to a better life...
Running CV
My Running CV - The beginning
I will start from the beginning but dont worry, I will not you bore with too many details... Ten and a half years ago I was 30 kilos overweight, my body, my mind and my life was a mess. No one can say they hated me more than I hated myself. Then in October of 1998 I discovered walking as a way of helping to shift the pounds, in the first year I lost 20 kilos and therafter I became hooked on walking, however, I did not start running overnight and I am a late-onset runner. It was to take another five years in November 2004 before I started running consistently.
Proudest moment
I literally started very slowly, I would walk for five minutes then run for 30 seconds before I ran out of breath, then I could run for one minute without stopping, I remember when I could run for five minutes non-stop!. Now I run 10km most days of the week and I have run the Brussels half marathon three times, however being able to run for five minutes is still the highlight of my running life! :-) I was so excited and I have not looked back since. After I had been pounding the streets for about a year, I made the decison to join a running club and its been great. I found that running was not only helping me to lose more weight, but it was good for my soul. My body shape changed even more, I went down a dress size and muscles that I did not know existed appeared in my legs and bum! :-)
What I wish I'd know about running before I started.
I wish I'd known about the ectasy of running- the high after a run is better than any drug out there!. I wish I had known about the wonderful friends I would make, both the people I'd end up running with regularly and those I'd meet briefly. Running has taught me to love, respect and listen to my body and the amazing way it can make me feel. There's nothing more wonderful than waking up in the morning, putting on my running shoes and running the pavements of the village I live in, feeling the blood racing through my veins, my heart hammering in my chest and the sweat pouring down my face into my eyes. Even if it sometimes hurts like crazy and I feel like I cant go on any more, it shows me that I am fit, strong, healthy and bursting with energy. Its also taught me that anything is possible, if you put your mind to it. Running has changed my life for the better.