I started running in 1990.  My inspiration was a woman named Nancy who I met at work.  She was a talented local runner and I was so impressed that she’d go out to run every day at lunch time, rain or shine!

In January 1990 the company where I worked built a fitness center, so I tried running on the treadmill.  I was able to jog slowly for 20 minutes.  I was embarrassed my pace was so slow but when I told Nancy about it later that week she told me I did great!  She said anyone that could run for 20 minutes was off to a wonderful start.  I’ve always appreciated how she encouraged me at that moment.  If she had laughed it off or something I probably wouldn’t have ever tried to run again.   I’ve always tried to be encouraging to new runners because of that experience. 

The rest of my story is typical.  I met other runners at work.  I managed a three mile run outdoors.  I tried a 5K.  I joined a group doing regular track workouts.  I did some longer races.  I started planning my vacations around the races I could do and altering my work schedule to get my run in.  I added long runs to the weekends and I have done four marathons.  I run on a corporate track team and I have been to five national meets with the team, in California and in Washington.