I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

andrewducote:

Generally, I’m at school and when I’m not I’m usually missing this

and this

and this

and this too

And I especially miss playing with everyone.

(So trust me when I say it truly means the world that you haven’t all forgotten me. Thanks)

Whoa, slow your roll there, Hannah Montana! Hahaha.

This post was inspired by the OC Marathon’s little campaign. Each mile marker had something inspirational stating why runners run… Although I loved mile 10’s “So I don’t jiggle when I wiggle,” I think my story will be a little more personal.

Everyone pretty much knows that from October 2009-June 2010, I had lost over 60 pounds. I was genuinely happy, confident, and had learn to love myself that summer. In August 2010, something so mentally and emotionally draining (that still affects me to this day) had occurred, and it caused me to do poorly in school AND neglect the gym. All I wanted to do that semester was crawl into bed, forget the world, and cry… And that’s basically what I did. That semester alone, I had gained 15 pounds back.

New years rolled around, and I made it my goal to turn things around… That was when my car was broken into and my purse was stolen while I was at the gym in February. The whole process of canceling credit cards, getting a new bank account, and all that nonsense was enough to keep me out of the gym for weeks… There I was sulking in bed when I realized that I can’t let this happen again. This was a new start and my chance to say, “Screw everything. Nothing can deter me anymore.” It was April 2011 when I grabbed my new credit card and signed up for two races: A 5K in San Francisco in July and a half marathon in Disney World in January 2012.

I trained for weeks for the 5K, and lo and behold… It was Beerfest at the A’s game the day before. I had a couple pints and we got home late… I thought those two months were wasted… The next morning, I was already dying within the first quarter mile. I pushed myself through the pain from the cold, the cramps from the dehydration caused by the alcohol, and the bad memories became my motivating factor… I finished eight minutes better than the goal I had set for my run, crying tears of joy as I crossed the finish line.

I vowed to run another 5K and at least one 10K race before the half marathon in January… Of course, that didn’t happen. Because of the rigor of my school schedule, I had gained 15 additional pounds from stress eating and not having time for the gym… I had to cram all my training in the three weeks leading up to the half.

So there I was on our first night in Florida… By the pool crying my eyes out despite the families that passed by. My own family doubted me. I started to doubt myself. All I remember is repeating, “What have I gotten myself into?” over and over. Two hours later, I snapped. “Prove them wrong,” I told myself. I knew it was a huge challenge, but I had to conquer it. Not only them, I had to prove to myself that I could defeat this course as well as the mental demons that had plagued me for far too long. And that had become my motivating factor.

At the starting line, the announcer gave a speech about how we all came from all different walks of life and having various goals, dreams, and reasons why we were there that day… That renewed my belief as fireworks signified the start of the race and Mickey, Donald, and Goofy blew kisses of good luck.

There I was still running during the second mile, to my surprise. Adrenaline had taken over, and a new wave of it restored me as we all ran through Cinderella Castle cheering… But by the seventh mile, it was gone. My legs were in dire pain, I was gasping for air, and all I wanted to do was quit. That’s when a woman, whose face I’ll never forget, said, “C’mon, Sheila! You can do it! You got this!” A total stranger had belief in me… And that’s when my legs started to work again. I remembered all the reasons why I had signed up last April. I recalled my doubters, and the pain disappeared.

That first medal draped around my neck symbolized not only my physical struggle but the mental one as well. The people I’ve met run for fitness… I run for my whole well being. This is my year. I was given the opportunity to start anew, and I’ve seized it, signing up for 10 of these challenges total. That’s 131 miles not counting 5K/10K/other side races. After leaving Pomona in 2009, I thought I’d never be back in Southern California running seven out of the ten races here. It took a giant leap of faith to get myself back, and I’m glad that I took a step out of my comfort zone because this is the happiest I’ve ever been.

By the end of the year, I just want to be healthy. I’m not in it to wow anybody but myself…

So why am I sharing this story with you? Well… If I can make a change in my life that seemed almost impossible two and a half years ago, maybe I can inspire you to take that leap of faith as well.