Guess what?! I’m running the Eugene Marathon again in 2019!
I ran the 2018 Eugene Marathon with an injury and didn’t do so hot. Live and learn! 2019 will be my year! Running a marathon becomes a lifestyle. I mean, you devote at least 18 weeks to a training plan. That’s a third of a year. Over four months. 126 days. Every one of those 126 days is one day closer to the marathon. That is why I want to be involved in the EMbassador program. I am already deeply involved. Being an EMbassador will just make the experience even richer.
I am a pretty new runner. I began, like so many, with a weight loss goal. I made up my mind to run a 5k in 2016. The furthest I had ever run until then was the freshman PE mile. After the 5k, I just kept piling on the miles and ran my first marathon in 2017. There are so many runners from so many different backgrounds. I can really identify with the new runner crowd. The crowd that sees the marathon as an impossible goal. I’m talking about the not-even-on-the-radar goal. The can’t-even-say-it-out-loud goal. That’s the crowd I want to reach.
Something I didn’t expect with running the Eugene Marathon was running through my old stomping grounds. I mean, I knew I would be running in that area, but I didn’t expect the emotions I would get from seeing the sights from my youth. Places like The Humble Bagel where I used to go with my mom and brother, South Eugene HS where I played within the Junior Orchestra, Springfield HS stadium where I marched on the football field in marching band, and the North Bank restaurant where I went to dinner for prom, all brought back so many memories! I ran through Alton Baker Park. I ran on the bike trail. Valley River Center! Since moving away from Eugene/Springfield, I haven’t been to any of those places. It was truly special. I have roots in Eugene and Springfield. It’s my home town. I am fairly certain that if it wasn’t for the place I was running and the crowds that cheered me on, I would have quit the marathon due to the pain from my injury. Eugene got me through the race.
While I am a novice blogger, I am fairly active on Facebook. I teach a few group fitness classes, so I am always promoting them. Plus, I have started a group walk/run at the track on Saturdays. It has gotten off the ground by social media and word of mouth. I would love to have a more active blog, but it has been on the back burner. Until recently, my main activity on Instagram has been just keeping an eye on my kids. I have to admit, I may be hooked now. I am on it now nearly as much as Facebook.
I would be an amazing Eugene Marathon EMbassador because I have a passion to help others become more active and reach their fitness goals. I know that if I can run a marathon, so can they. Running a marathon is a life changer. I would love to help others have the same experience.
You are a great ambassador, both through example and encouragement to others, and the Eugene Marathon 2019 will be lucky to have you!
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