It's not a cape, it's my running skirt

Disclaimer: I received a pair of OOFOS Women’s OOahh Sport Slides to review as part of being a BibRave Pro . Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews! I was working in Washington, DC in 2013 when I learned that a family member was diagnosed with cancer. I moved home to help my family and saw first hand how difficult the treatments are for patients, and how heartbreaking cancer is for family and loved ones. For a time, I even upended my career to work for a non-profit with a mission to find cures for cancer. Cancer made me feel powerless, and I'm not a doctor so I did whatever I could to exert whatever power I had.  Running helped. When I raced I raised money to fund cancer research. I wore shirts that promoted organizations that supported my cause and every step I took made me feel like I had regained some of the power that diagnosis took away.  When I found out that OOFOS donates 3% to...

I ran my first 5k race eight years ago today. I decided to celebrate by doing a 3.11 mile recovery run this morning. While I was running I reflected on the runner and the person I've become since I took those first strides all those years ago. I've gone for more than 1,000 runs. Each step has made me a better person. I use running to exercise my body and mind. A former colleague of mine recommended it when she noticed I was carrying around a lot of toxic energy. My self confidence was at an all time low. I took everything personally and was quick to anger. I still struggle with my self confidence and anger at times, but when I run I have the time to ask myself why I'm feeling the way I am. Sometimes it's even easier than that. While I'm focused on form and breathing my mind is working away and I often finish running with a resolution even when I didn't know I was looking for one. I'm going to keep running and keep challenging myself. Eight years, 1,000...

I ran my first race - and half marathon - of 2019. I didn't train for it the way I should. I also scaled back on my running a lot after starting a new job and recent engagement. It was a hot day, and suffice it to say, I wasn't ready. I finished the race, but I didn't run the whole time, which is usually my goal. My time was also a lot slower than I wanted it to be. For the first time in almost a decade of running I crossed the finish line and broke down in tears. I was embarrassed of my time, ashamed that I didn't put the time into training and just flat out exhausted. I wore my medal around my neck and it felt heavy with the guilt and shame I was carrying. But as the day wore on that medal served as a reminder that I should be proud. I made an effort to get out there and take on a race, even if I wasn't 100% ready. There were people who wanted to sign up for the race and didn't, there are people who aren't able-bodied and couldn't. I crossed the ...

I was part of a political training this past week. From the word go, nothing seemed to be going right for this training and there were people counting on us. We could have called it a day and refunded the training participants money, but instead we chose to power through and see what we could accomplish together. It wasn't perfect, but we were still able to deliver for the training participants and we all learned something. That lesson applies to a lot of things, and that includes running. Some runs and races I start out all wrong. Too fast, too tight, too sore. What matters is, when the wheels fall off do you walk away or do you power through? The trainings I give, and the runs I do when I struggle and overcome obstacles often mean the most to me. I learn and I do it better next time.

I started running in 2011. The decision to start couch to 5k happened after I heard the words that every woman dreads hearing from their doctor: obese. I knew I was heavier than I wanted to be, but surely I wasn't clinically overweight. The scaled don't lie. At 5'3" I was clocking in at 170 lbs. Me in 2011 at my heaviest  I ran exclusively on treadmills when I started because I was so ashamed of being a beginner, not looking like a runner and risking people seeing me. When you're heavier, it's amazing how often you wish you weren't so visible, and didn't take up so much space. I even went to the office gym during off peak hours to avoid being in the same room with other athletes. However, running inside presented another problem. It gets really hot, even in capris. My lack of a thigh gap has always - even today - made shorts impossible and uncomfortable for me. That's when I found it. Running skirts. I looked forward to getting them because ...