Today marks the 3 year anniversary since my life changed.

3 years ago today, I ran my very first race…The Rudolph Run 5K in Huntsville.. finishing in 35 minutes.

I thought it was going to be something I’d mark off my bucket list and move on. Because.. well. Running sucked. It wasn’t easy. In fact, it was really hard. I remember wanting to quit SO. BAD. during that first 5K. 

But somehow, signing up for my first half marathon sounded like a good idea…

The 2010 Disney Princess Half Marathon

and with very little training, I crossed the finish line of that as well. I didn’t consider myself worthy enough at the time.

(I was sporting a nice butt cape, wasn’t I? Don’t be jealous.)

I decided to sign up again the following year… And I had an amazing experience meeting some fabulous and inspirational fitness bloggers.

After that race.. I started to see a change in myself. I wasn’t happy with the way things ended with Disney, and I decided to step up my training.

I ran Savannah in November with Kelsie and Lindsey.

And followed it up 2 weeks later with the Ruben Run.. now known as the Magic City Half… where I had my first face plant on a run.

The 2012 race season started in DC with Molly and Casey.. Happy St Patty’s Day!

In April, Kelsie and I ran Nashville… 

June brought me my first triathlon.. 

and I ended this year with the Magic City Half… 

SEVEN half marathons, a 10K, 2 triathlons, and a multitude of 5K’s. A completely changed mindset. All from attempting to cross one thing off my bucket list.

It’s a little insane to think about how something so small can completely change who you are as a person.