The new me

This past weekend I realized one of my life's dreams. I ran my first 5k Saturday - I ran that baby from start to finish.

I really don't know how to explain the total and complete joy I felt when I crossed that finish line. It was like I was running from who I used to be and I met the new me for the first time.

The new me is fit, healthy and in shape. The new me can't stop grinning and cheering. The new me wakes up every day ready for an adventure, excited to see what the day will bring. The new me is happy.

After I finished the 5k, Kevin came over to me and said "Now, you're a runner." I almost started crying. Me? The little girl with the crooked knee caps who was diagnosed with arthritis in 5 joints before she was 18 is a runner now?

But I guess it's true. I'm already looking to the next run, a 10k at the end of October. This afternoon I'm heading out on my first training run with the Bridge to 10k training regimen. It's a continuation of the Couch to 5k plan that gave me such success. I'm pushing the time frame a bit - not quite giving myself the full 6 weeks, but that's just because of when the 10k is scheduled.

Most of the work I'm training my body to do isn't physical. After walking 60 miles in three days I know I have the physical strength to run just as far. Instead, I am training my mind to accept the fact that there are no barriers to running anymore.

There has always been a reason why I couldn't run: my knees, my asthma, my weight. But not anymore. Sure, my knees are still better weather predictors than the National Weather Service, but you get used to that. My asthma hasn't been an issue since I quit smoking (go figure), so my weight was the last thing keeping me back. Now, there are simply no reasons why I can't be who I want to be.

As I ready myself for the next run, I'd like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Natalie and I'm a runner.