Finishing the Disney Half-Marathon with a 17-minute PR.
Today marks my one-year run-niversary! I really don’t want this post to be all sappy and cliché about how running has changed my life and all that blah, blah, blah. But the truth is, it really has- and not just because I’m now training for a full marathon, it’s changed my whole way of life.
Literally, a year ago, I kid you not, running a mile seemed like an impossible task. I would make excuses to avoid any sort of running. My cousin would ask me to go out on a 3-mile run with her during the summer and I’d reject the offer every single time. When I look back, I’m not sure if it was because I didn’t think I could run that far, I think it was more that I was afraid and insecure about running.
When I started running, those insecurities did not go away. In fact, they took months to go away. I only ran on the treadmill, at the gym, on a very low speed. I was afraid to run outside because of passing cars, nervous my form was awkward or that I’d get to a certain point and not be able to turn around and run home. I was also afraid to run with other people because I was insecure about my pace, my breathing, and my (sometimes) lack of motivation.
But in a year’s time, all of that has gone away. Now I loathe the treadmill and will do anything to be able to run outside. I went from a run-walk a year ago, to being able to run 18 miles in a single shot today. My paces used to hover around the mid 10:00/mile speed to now the low 8:00/mile and even some 7:00/mile paces lately. All within a year.
In this past year, my running has taken me to places I never thought it would. I’ve been lucky to find support through social media and this blog, and that support is what has kept me logging all those miles. I’ve developed relationships with runners all across the country and people are now turning to me for advice, which is something that continues to humble me every day. I also went from being just a blogger to an online editor at the nation’s leading running magazine, and that’s definitely not something I take lightly.
I think a lot of times, we, as runners, can get intimidated by other more experienced runners. I know I do but I also know the effort, strength and devotion it took for me to get to where I am now with my running. When I started this journey a year ago, I never could have imagined where it would take me. But when I look back at all the amazing gifts running has given me, the one I cherish most and will continue to build on is my self-confidence. Before I started to run I was able to slap on a smile and express faux-confidence but after this year, I know how to truly be confident in my own skin.
One of the first running blogs I ever read when I started this journey a year ago was Dorothy Beal’s blog Mile Posts. Her story was very similar to mine and I admired her drive and flat-out honesty. My favorite quote from her that has kept me going this year is “I run this body.” It’s me. I’m the one who had brought my body across two half-marathon finish lines and countless shorter races throughout this year. I’m the one who brought this body to the track after work on 90-degree summer days just so I could work on my speed. I ran this body through rain, sleet, snow, humidity and wind, just so I could prove to myself that I was strong enough to do it. I run this body and I will continue to run this body until I physically cannot take another step. I’ve still got a lot to learn but so far, I can say with confidence, I’ve enjoyed this journey to fit…
Fit Girl. Happy Girl. 
This is awesome! Happy RUN-niversary!
Thanks Emily! :)
That’s awesome! Congrats! Here’s to many more years of running.
Thanks David! RunChat has been a huge motivator for me to keep running this year!
SO awesome, congrats! I’m running Big Sur this year too!!
No way!! We’ll have to meet up there! Good luck with the rest of your training :)
Happy Run-niversary!
Thank you!!
Great post! Happy 1 year :) Dorothy’s blog was the first I came across as well as far as running blogs go. She definitely motivates!
Thank you! Dorothy is such an inspiration. From the very beginning I loved her honesty!
Congratulations Hannah! What a beautiful post! I agree that in the almost two years I’ve been running it really has changed my life and I couldn’t even imagine where I’d be without it!
Your time improvement from 10 minute miles down to 7’s and 8’s is amazing! Has that all be because of speed work? I really need to start doing more!
Thank you! As far as my time improvements, I do some speed work but I’d attribute it more to practicing hill and building muscle through strength training. For me, I feel like the stronger I am, the faster I can run. I hope that helps! :)
Happy Runniversary! You are amazing and an inspiration !
Aww thank you such much! It’s all of you who inspire me :) I really appreciate the support!
Happy Run-niversary!! Such an inspiring post. I’m also a big fan of the “I run this body” mindset, it’s definitely a great motivator.
Thank you Nikki! :)
This post, I kid you not, is JUST what I needed! I began running on Tuesday and am still fighting off doubts that I won’t be able to do it and worried about how dumb I look or how obvious it is that I clearly am a beginner who hasn’t run since gym class in high school. You’re awesome & congrats on the runniversary! Now I’m excited to someday 361 days from now and have a runniversary :)
Congrats to you!! Don’t doubt yourself. I was in your EXACT shoes a year ago and it’s amazing to look back and see the progress I’ve made. Everyone has a starting line and you just have to be confident in your own progress, that’s really all that matters! Happy running :)
I hope you’re celebrating with an extra long run :) That’s a pretty big accomplishment!
Yes! I have a 16-miler on the schedule for tomorrow. It’ll be my victory lap :)
Happy run-iversary! I hope you’re celebrating all your progress accordingly :)
Thank you, Amanda! I’ll be celebrating with a glass of red tonight and a nice, long 16-miler tomorrow!
Congrats, Hannah! It really is incredible how running can change your life. It definitely changed mine for the better. Your speed increases are amazing. In 2 years, I’ve gone from a 11 min pace to about 9:30…I long for the day when I’ll hit 8s consistently! Keep up the good work, girl – love reading about your journey! :)
Thank you so much Christine! And you’ll get there before you know it!
Happy Runniversary :)
Thank you!!
Congratulations Hannah! Keep it up.
Thanks, Mark! (Shot you an email BTW!)
I started running in December and did the Disney 5k in January. I plan on celebrating my anniversary next year with the half marathon. As a new runner I find your story motivational :) thanks for sharing and Happy Anniversay!
Congrats on beginning your running journey! That’s very exciting :) I ran the Disney half-marathon this year and it would be a great race for you to celebrate your run-niversary!
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