Wednesday, June 22, 2016

My Running Story

It has been a complete HONOR to have folks stop by my corner of the InterWebs and spend some of their precious time (because I totally understand how limited and valuable free time is these days) following along with my journey. Anywho, in case any of you are new to my neck of the woods I thought I'd do a quick post with my running story.

My name is Carlee McDot (well, my last name is technically Padot McClurg, but since I couldn’t talk the hubby into combining our last names when we got married I figured I could at least use the combo on social media). I live in Southern California (and have since I moved four days after graduating from the University of Michigan in 2006).

My running story seems rather boring, but it’s MINE and that is what matters (we all have a story to tell, no matter how insignificant we may think it is)!


Back at the beginning of 2012 a friend of mine told me about a little thing called runDisney. You see, at that point I was NOT a runner, but I did love me some Disney. She knew my affinity for the Mouse and suggested that I consider running the Disneyland Half Marathon. Seeing as I was not a runner, I was glad that she suggested this while I still had nine-ish months to train for the event.

At the time I was looking for something to call my own. My hubby had an array of hobbies (surfing, motorcycle, art, etc) but I didn’t have anything that I felt spoke to my soul sole. I figured that even if running didn't turn out to be my 'thing' at least I’d be doing it at the Happiest Place on Earth and I could cross running a half marathon off my bucket list.

I started by walking daily for thirty minutes on my lunch break and eventually began using the elliptical in the office gym a few times a week. Let’s be real, the beginning is tough (it is for us all), but with a goal in mind, it made the work worth it. In due time I started pounding the pavement and fell in love! Don’t get me wrong, at first I was only running a half mile or so at a time, but I was so proud of what my body could accomplish that I'd smile through the hard effort. [You can read my post about training in January of 2012 HERE and my post about running outside in March of 2012 HERE.]

The 2012 Disneyland Half Marathon was my first half, and this year, when I return for the 2016 Disneyland Half Marathon (as a part of my third consecutive Dumbo Double Dare) it will be my thirty-first half marathon! I would have never imagined that running could have had such an impact on my life when I first started, but I can truly say that it has made the world of difference! I am forever grateful for the ability I have been blessed with, the people running has brought into my life and the places I have been able to see and explore because of this sport!

I did it! And even had the opportunity to run the 2012 Disneyland Half with Megan, my friend who originally
challenged me to start running in the first place! 

What's YOUR running story?

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I started running 9 years ago when my now 13 year old needed kids to play with. I didn't have girlfriends with kids her age and I wanted to exercise more so I joined a gym. She had a blast in the babysitting part with other kids and I was able to walk on the treadmill. The walking turned into running a few minutes at a time until I was running more than walking. When she started Kindergarten, I took it outside.I was definitely hooked. It became my passion and also outlet for dealing with my other daughter who has some Asperger qualities. Raising her has been a challeng, so running was my world where I could escape and, like you said, it was something that was mine.:)

Jill said...

Awesome story! I love to hear/read running stories! Mine is not terribly exciting, but it's mine :-) Having been overweight for all of my middle/high school and college years one day in the summer of 2007 to try day 1 of couch to 5K. I literally thought I was going to die, I hurt for a week, and didn't do it again. In January of 2008 (6 months before my wedding) I decided to sign up for Weight Watchers online and lost 60 pounds before my wedding (insert nightmare dress fitting stories). I continued living life on Weight Watchers and my husband and I began walking at the local park, daily. He, being much more lean and athletic than I ever had been, started challenging me to run quarter miles at a time. I started couch to 5K on my own; this stalled out with the pregnancy and birth of my son. After Conor was born in March 2010 I waited for my 6 week clearance and started up couch to 5K again and I kept running. Now I'm 4 half marathons in and have been running for 210 days straight! I'm so glad my stalled attempts did not keep me from picking it back up each time!

Jill said...

I forgot to add that the combination of Weight Watchers and running led me to lose 100 + pounds from when I first began WW and running is a HUGE part of that success!

Montana Ross said...

Very similar story! A friend signed me up for a 5k and I figured "why not?" I felt I didn't have any real hobbies and all my interests seemed superficial (read: playing Facebook games and napping lol). I also felt like I hadn't really accomplished anything significant since I graduated college! When I took up running it gave me new goals to aim for and a new passion for life :-) and of course then I discovered pro socks and how amazing they went with my outfits and the rest is history!

Unknown said...

I was a stand out high school track/xc runner who suffered from a terrible case of ITBS. I had to take seven years off. A friend of mine challenged me to run the pittsburgh marathon 5k in 2012. Exactly one year later I ran the Pittsburgh marathon!

Erica @ Erica Finds said...

I was a high school runner in XC and track. I only ran a few miles in 4 years of college. After college, I did the only thing I knew I was good at to get in shape. Running! I ran some local 5Ks, 10Ks and ran a half marathon. This was in 1994. The rest as they say... is history.

Unknown said...

I ran distance in track in high school and kinda quit after going to nursing school, got married etc. I picked it back up around 2004 and ended up with knee injuries and kind of just gave up...again :( I walked in a 5K race that was called "The Fat Ass 5K" Legit. It's in Springfield, IL every May (my neck of the woods) I felt the nudge to try running again after that. I had been afraid of re-injuring my knees I think. At this point in my life I was a new mom to a then 3 year old. No time for knee injuries right? Well, I let go of my fears and gave it a try one day and I kind of had a Forrest Gump moment "I am running"!! I had no pain, I had no pain the next day or the day after. God gave me another chance and I was determined to be smarter about it, taking better care of myself, educating myself, etc. I did a 5K race then a 10. I stumbled upon the Galloway run walk method at this point and fell in love with the 4:1 interval which I still do to this day. I set my sites on a half. I did it, then a week later did another one and was hooked! I knew if I could do that I can do a full. Yep, I was full crazy! I did the Chicago Marathon last October via a charity entry (Team Make A Wish Illinois) I developed bronchitis the week of but I got medicine, sucked it up and crossed that finish line. I turned 40 last year so that was a great goal. I'm heading back to Chi town this October to do it again. Running has become my time with God, my time to feel strong yet free as a bird, my reminder that we truly can do anything we put our minds to. I love the running community's support of one another. Like my fave Proverb "Iron sharpens iron" I love to go to races to enjoy the journey and fellowship with others. That's my story.

Bree at Clarity Defined said...

DL 2011 is the beginning of my running story <3 I definitely haven't upped my mileage or number of races the way you have, but I am starting to come to terms with the fact that I might be "a runner." ;) I can't wait for this year's race!