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A Runners Spirit
By Melissa Peek Burton
When I got out of the Marine Corps in 1995, I swore I’d never run again. My knees would ache for days after a run. It just wasn’t worth it.
My sedentary lifestyle caught up with me and I gained a lot of weight. I was miserable inside and out. I knew I had to do something. In 2006, I started taking a “boot camp” program and lost some weight. The instructor was the perfect combination of tough and compassion. I didn’t need all the hard nosed discipline, I just needed accountability to show up.
Jen, the instructor, was good at her job. She also ran half marathons “for fun.” I would heckle her as she would tell us about her races. She would make me “pay” for it. It was all in good fun.
Three years ago, I read a marathon race report on a Walt Disney World website by a woman who made a marathon sound like “fun.” She inspired a whole lot of others to do it, and guess what… they did.
Life changes happened, divorce, single parenting, etc., but I had stopped with the boot camp exercise program. (They had a change of time and instructors and it just didn’t work anymore.) I knew I needed a change physically, something just for me.
On April 1st, 2009, I started “No Boundaries,” a couch to 5k program through Fleet Feet Sports. When I started the program, I already had my eyes set on my first half marathon 5 months later. I “knew” I could do it because the 5k program ended with a long run of 3.75 miles. The half marathon training program started two weeks later with a 4 mile run. Piece of cake.
It still hurt when I ran so I had went to my regular MD and to my chiropractor. My MD said I needed knee surgery (NO WAY!) and my chiropractor told me I shouldn’t be running. It was bad for my knees. Stopping training was not an option, so I pressed on through the pain.
Through Fleet Feet, I met a chiropractor who made my pain while running go away using a technique called “Active Release Technique.” I now run virtually pain free, although, I’m a little achy during the first three miles of a run. By mile 4, I feel great and just lose track of the miles.
To make a long story short, since April 1st, 2009, I’ve lost over 40lbs, trained for and ran one marathon (Marine Corps Marathon, October 31st, 2010), 6 half marathons, 4 10ks, a 5 mile race, and numerous 5ks. I don’t keep track of 5k’s and honestly, I try to avoid them. My favorite distance is a half marathon.
Read about My First Marathon
Comments
6 responses to “A Runners Spirit”
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I would sure like to do what you did. I am 56 years old and I two years ago I had the ACL in my R knee replace with that of a cadaver. I am over 100 pounds overweight. Is it too late for me to do the same thing? I am almost afraid to try. I have been wanting to go back to Marine Corps Boot Camp just so I would have the discipline to get back in shape. Can you tell me more about the program you used? I don’t want to run a marathon but I sure would like to be able to jog 3 miles again. At this point it is dangerous for me to jog. Sure would love to have some advice.
Thanks,
Debbie Wieske -
Debbie, look up couch to 5k. It will get you moving. It’s where I began. If you have a Fleet Feet Sports locally, talk to them about their No Boundaries program. The comraderie, support, & accountability is what I needed most.
ANYONE can do what I did, I promise. Just one foot in front of the other. One step at a time.
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One other thing: I run intervals. I run for 3 mins, I walk for 1 min, over & over again.
When I started, I ran 1 min & walked 2 mins. 1 min felt like a lifetime then.
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I said the same thing and since then I have done so many 5K’s and 10K’s and a several 1/2 Marathons and a Marathon in all 50 States (but, a total of 75 Marathons). Also, I have done 10 triathlons….love it. Semper Fi!!!
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Yay For you Melissa!!
Love to hear about your running adventures. I’m 51 and running more than I ever did, even as a Marine. I am also the thinnest I’ve ever been. Running regularly allows me to eat just about anything I want, but I usually eat healthy because I want to run well. Mostly though I just run for the sheer joy of running. It’s precious time to think, pray, process problems, and just BE. Debbie, don’t let age make you think you can’t do it. I have also heard a LOT of positive feedback about Fleet Feet. OOrah! 🙂 -
I will have to ask my chiropractor about the technique you described here! My knees are getting worse and I have to do something about all the extra me I am carrying around! Thanks for such an inspiring story!
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