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2012-12-01 6:25 PM

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Master
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Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Subject: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

I am trying to coin a term - runniversary.

Dec 1, 2010 was my day. I had never run as an adult, and that was the morning the lightbulb went off and I finally did something. 

I know a lot of folks here were always athletic, and I applaud you. For many others of us, we have the condition that I first heard John Bingham refer to as "adult onset athleticism."

Because some of us were so far from being fit or even thinking of it as an option, the day things changed can be burned into our memories. 

This thread is to share those stories. I've told mine enough times and blogged about it plenty, so I won't repeat it again here. Just Dec 1, 2010. So I ran the same route today. 

What's your runniversary?



2012-12-01 7:28 PM
in reply to: #4517900

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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

Officially, April 2004. I don't remember what Saturday, but probably the second weekend of April. 

I had been living in Atlanta for almost a year and only had about 1 friend, the girl who lived across the hall. Met several accquaintences in that year, but not really anyone to call up and consider a real friend. I was looking on Active for local 5-10k's, I had done a small handful in the 11 months I'd been there. I saw a "marathon training group" that was on it's second weekend of 'new season' for a fall marathon. It was less about $100 for 3 coached group runs a week, from April until Oct. 

I went, against my then-husband's wishes (now ex, obviously), saw 2 girls sitting on the curb in the parking lot after I signed up. I thought they looked my age so I sat down and introduced myself. I don't know WHAT possessed me to do this, I'm normally shy in those kinds of situations. And obviously these 2 girls knew each other, they had come together. Everyone was waiting around, mostly people didn't know each other, waiting for the 3 mile test run to determine our pace groups for the season. They became instant friends, my anchors for the year. One I still call a best friend. 

So, while I had been active all my life: soccer, softball, 5-10k's in high school & college, it was THAT weekend, THAT training group that made me feel like I became an adult athlete, having to rely on solo sports for fitness & sanity. It's made my life better in more ways than I can express, my gateway into many marathons, triathlons and beyond: a healthy outlet for my need of adventure, solitude & travel. I'll never forget my Runniversary.



Edited by Comet 2012-12-01 7:34 PM
2012-12-01 7:33 PM
in reply to: #4517932

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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?
DP

Edited by Comet 2012-12-01 7:33 PM
2012-12-01 7:45 PM
in reply to: #4517900

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Alpharetta, Georgia
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

I don't remember the specific day, but the memory sure stuck in my mind. After gaining 20? 30? lbs in college, I decided to start working out. I couldn't run a mile without stopping, but I really wanted to do a Sprint triathlon that next summer.

At the gym one day I was walking on the treadmill and I saw my Dad. We chatted and he said "so are you going to run?" No Dad, just walking. But I'm going to start running soon. "Why not now?" Because I'm kind of scared of running on the treadmill. I'm afraid I'll fall and look silly. Dad says "Just increase the speed gradually. Your legs will know when to start running."

And they did.

That teeny-tiny bit of encouragement from my Dad was all it took to get me going. Funny how the little things can make all the difference in the world.

2012-12-01 7:49 PM
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Expert
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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

I'm not really sure which day is my Runniversary. I did a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot in 2010 but only "trained" a few days before it! Then it was all over and I didn't run again until May 2011. I have run the Turkey Trot three times now, and I've made it a point to beat my previous time. I suppose the Turkey Trot is what started it all! This is the first winter that I'm determined to keep running through the season, even if that means the dreadmill.

Happy Runniversary Claaaw. I like the name, and I think it'll catch on!

2012-12-01 9:18 PM
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Iron Donkey
38643
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, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?
Hmmmmmmm, Spring of 1975 - ran the 440 yard race for 4th grade on a cinder track. I led the race until the final 10 yards where this kid passed me since he paced himself better. The next two Spring races (5th and 6th grade) I led the races and won them both, learning from that first race. Running was always in my blood, kept me active, occupied, and out of trouble. I always wished that I wouldn't have quit after graduating H.S. Fast forward quite a few years - I found my love again.


2012-12-01 9:42 PM
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Champion
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Albuquerque, New Mexico
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

In the modern era?  April 17, 2005.  I'd been working out consistently since November 2004 on an elliptical machine and hiking.  The weather was nice, I'd lost about 25 pounds by then, and I thought "I should run outside instead of doing the elliptical..." 

I ran track in middle school (1978 and 1979), 3 years in high school (80, 82, & 83), and I ran XC two years in high school (81 & 82).  I ran for fitness while lifetguarding in college (84). 

2012-12-02 7:00 AM
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Member
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Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

I never did anything athletic  until I was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia ( CML ) in May 2003. This was a wake up call. Over the next 6 months I lost over  80 planned  pounds. I then started doing century bike rides. Two years later I did a half and full marathon.

The next year I started doing triathlons. In 2010 I did a half ironman. Then in 2011 I did a full distance ironman. That was the year I turned 50.

I have never been healthier. If I was not diagnosed with CML back in 2003 most likely I would  be weighing well over 200 lbs. today.

So my date would be May 2003

  

 

 

2012-12-02 11:20 AM
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Champion
5312
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Calgary
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?
I was in and out of running for a number of years prior to maybe November 2007. I did the couch to 5k a number of times, a 10k, 2 HM, some triathlons, however nothing truly memorable or repeated.

So, I consider my runniversary a 50k race held every February. I am coming up to my sixth time in a row there in 2013. Everytime I am there it is a time to reflect on where a was and where I am going.
2012-12-02 11:35 AM
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Master
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Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?
7/12/2010. I had to look at an old log to find the exact date. We started a family weight loss challenge and my youngest daughter challenged me to run in the WDW Half Marathon. So I started training then. Prior to that there was a fairly active high school years, followed by too many hours lost to business obligations. And a few times when I started running and stopped.

I have found that I am in a better emotional place when I have been active and I hope that I can remember that for the rest of my life. I would like to be(come) the person my wife wants to spend the rest of her life with and running helps me do that.
2012-12-02 3:44 PM
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Regular
59
2525
Florida
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?
April 27, 2011. They announced the first Savannah Rock and Roll Marathon a couple of days after my 44th birthday and a marathon was on my bucket list! Except I really hadn't run since I was 20. Still wonder why I've not been committed to a mental hospital permanently but I'm sure they can find me when they need too.


2012-12-02 5:24 PM
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Champion
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Austin, Texas
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

Sometime in February of 2010. 

I had spent the previous year feeling sorry for myself after the break-up of my marriage and I decided that I needed to do something to feel competitive again.  Not competitive against anyone else, but against myself.  That first run is much like all of my since - slow, but I don't care.  Forward is a pace.  

I don't remember the exact date, but it was the same week that I started my account on BT and it was the best thing I ever could have done for myself.   

2012-12-02 5:53 PM
in reply to: #4518539

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Champion
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, Minnesota
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Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

I wish I had the exact date, because it would be fun to track.  But I know it was about 5 weeks before my first duathlon, so around the last half of August in 2006.  The race was on 9/24/06 and I had JUST gotten to running 2 miles in the Cool Running Couch to 5k program.   I remember this because I had to run 2 miles (twice) in order to do the du.   I started logging here on BT in April of 2007 and could kick myself for not keeping track right away.

Happy Runniversary!

2012-12-03 8:19 AM
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Master
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Minnetonka, Minnesota
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

What's your runniversary?  Mine was the first day of 7th grade cross country practice, so early September, 1975.  7th graders trying out had to run a timed mile after a brief meeting and warmup.  I remember I ran a 7:41 and was 3rd overall.   Only breaks from running in my life since then have been from various minor injuries (sprains/strains, etc.) and 2 back issues in my late 30s and early 40s which led me to triathlon for cross training.

I had a great coach in Jr. High who was a PE coach and retired Marine who survived Iwo Jima.  At one time, he held at least one US Master middle-distance record.  He was a great guy, and I ended up writing about him in one of my college applications as being one of the most influential people in my life.



Edited by ejshowers 2012-12-03 8:23 AM
2012-12-03 9:25 AM
in reply to: #4519046

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Elite
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Cleveland
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

End of January/beginning of February, 2011. I wish I knew the exact day, but I don't... just the general time frame.

 

I was 60+ lbs overweight and finally just sick of it enough to start doing something about it.  One lap around the block where I live is 1.5 miles, and I couldn't even do one lap without having to walk - twice.  At the start, even treadmill "running" at 4mph for 12 minutes was enough to break me bad enough that my legs didn't want to run for 3 days.

2012-12-03 9:45 AM
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Master
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Toronto
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

I do I do!  I joined a 10k clinic at my local running room. I was scared and nervous and almost convinced myself not to go but the first week of April 2005 i went and never looked back.  I am sure I can find the exact date since i signed up and the clinic was either Tuesdays or Thursdays ... but the first week of April is good enough for me. 

I had no idea what i was in for! hahaha! 



2012-12-03 10:23 AM
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Member
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NC
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

August 3, 2009.  First day of run clinic at the local shop.  First workout was 2 miles (1:45 min walk/ 1 min run).  That was 70 lbs ago.

 

 

2012-12-03 1:26 PM
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Master
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Crab Cake City
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

Not sure the exact date but it was the first weekend in August 2010. I ran my first 5k which back then was a huge deal to me. My current time is alot better but no better feeling yet then crossing that finish line for the first time.

2012-12-03 1:27 PM
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Expert
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Ontario
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

July 1998.  Don't remember the exact date.  For the first few weeks I ran in circles around the perimeter of our 1 acre lot, hidden behind the tall cedar hedge.  Did walk/run until I could run 20 minutes straight then ventured out onto the road.  Trained for and ran my first race in May 2000 - the Ottawa marathon.

2012-12-03 1:29 PM
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Champion
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Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?
No idea the date, but I was running to my car to beat a parking ticket and could barely make it. I decided then that I needed to be able to run a few city blocks without feeling like I was going to drop dead.
2012-12-03 2:50 PM
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Master
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Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?
March 21, 2005.  I ran 2.12 miles.  I didn't think to record the time, but my guess was an even 30 min.  The whole story behind it all is the first "comment" to my 2010 IMFL race report. 


2012-12-03 5:46 PM
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Master
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Eugene, Oregon
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Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?
July 4, 1980. It wasn't my first run--that was maybe a few weeks before--but my first race. I was ten and in last place after the first turn of a 2.5 km kids' race. Then the field rapidly started to come back to me, since most of the others had started too fast. (I may not have been born with speed, but I've always had endurance and a great sense of pace!). I was scrawny, clumsy, and an utter flop in all the sports I had tried; still remember that sense of astonishment as I closed the gap and then made my way thru the field to win my age group!
2012-12-04 9:12 AM
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Champion
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Whizzzzzlandia
Silver member
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?

Naperville Turkey Trot, November 2002.

3.1 miles, and I took 3 Gus and a bunch of Advil beforehand because my hip hurt.

Not much has changed in 10 years. Hahahaha.

2012-12-04 9:17 AM
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Champion
12759
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Chicago
Subject: RE: Happy Runniversary! Do you have one?
June 10th, 2009 - Women Nike 10K.  Almost died and could not walk for a week but finished of course. 

Edited by NRG42 2012-12-04 9:18 AM
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