Jumping in here after a hiatus (lots to catch up on!).
SAFD: Short version: I am only a runner because of RunDisney!
Long version: -
hated running in school, went to a non-traditional school with basically no gym class
-in jr high, would have failed conditioning (running) had I not broken my ribs and got a medical note (I thought: Score!).
In 2014, my mum and I decided we were going back to
Disneyland, which was a special destination for us because it had lots of family memories for us from before my dad died.
As one does (LOL) I looked up the events happening when we would be there, and saw the RunDisney Avengers Weekend. There was a 5k and a half marathon. I discovered the 16MM "requirement" for the 5k. I mapped out a km (around the exterior of a mall by our apartment) and "speed-walked" it. I could do it! I was on the verge of turning 40, and it was a huge goal for me.
The event was sold out, but I was able to book a spot through a
travel agency. I then began my "intense training"! (I laugh now). Unfortunately a sedentary lifestyle (only workouts being weights / exercise bike) meant that I was totally unprepared for C25K, and I almost immediately got injured. I went through physio and was able to get myself well enough trained to get through the race in like 45 minutes - I was also super stoked to wear a costume (Captain Marvel). It was the most fun ever, but my mum missed seeing me b/c we were both inexperienced with race conditions. I wanted a do-over!
In 2015, they expanded to 5k/10k/half, and I thought I'd *really* push and work to a 10k. But for the 5k, I'd make an awesome costume (which I did! LOL). I also did a local 8k before the 10k, so I had the running bug, but I was still thinking 10k, that's it, everything else is crazy town - I had a fabulous time at those 2 races though.
I signed up for the same 2 in 2016, but changed jobs in September, and just couldn't get the time off for travel from the new job. In 2017, I couldn't book the time off due to another colleague needing that weekend, but other than enjoying travel that time of year, I wasn't a huge Avengers fan, so it didn't really speak to me. I did continue doing local 8ks and 5ks though.
My real interest became Princess (because I wanted to wear a princess costume!), but I decided if I was going to travel to Florida, I'd be doing it for the half, and with a slightly optimistic approach to training (and recovering from surgery in Sept. 2018) I managed to do that and complete the half in 2019. I was really thrilled to meet Jeff Galloway at the Expo, because if I hadn't realized that intervals were an option, I never would have attempted a half.
Now, I don't do intervals very often (even though I used to be much faster when I did them - I will have to do a test with that sometime soon), and today I did a casual 10k in poor conditions (slowly) and only walked three times (once to have a few sips of water at the halfway point, once when I kind of fell off the path due to a traffic issue LOL and once when pulling off to the side for racers using the same trail). I am training for the Marathon at Marathon weekend. 30-something me would be gobsmacked! :-D
Jeez, I've written a book. Now I forget if I even answered the question!! LOL
ps I am so glad to hear about west coast races returning. Travel from Vancouver to Orlando is not fun, and our direct flights have been cancelled. Blah.