Top (left to right): Jaime, me, Kathy, Mary Katherine, Melissa (MHG), Haylee & Heidi
Bottown (left to right): Carrie (organizer), Cara, Laret, Johnna & Jill
I've been running for pancakes since April. This morning Carrie, our beloved organizer, decided to take a picture of our little pancake crew. Why didn't we think of this sooner? Apparently we're all hams, which is appropriate since some of us (Heidi, MHG) like to "go ham".....
Without getting too mushy & thus endangering my street cred, these women have kind of changed my life. A little over a year ago, Mary Katherine recruited me into her book club, which isn't really a book club, but that's neither here nor there. I digress. I met these women last summer & thought to myself, "Holy shit, these bitches are in good shape! Maybe I should start running again." And I did. I did a couple 5Ks around town & made an effort to exercise harder & more often. Then in April, Carrie created this Pancake Run & the rest, as they say, is history.
I started running with them on Fridays & then running on my own two times a week. It's been a slow road, but I'm getting better. And by better I mean faster & skinnier, haha. But seriously, these lovely ladies have not only turned me into a runner, they're turning me into a better person. They are the most positive & encouraging people I know. Lately, I find myself asking WWHD (what would Heidi do)? Heidi is awesome & she's a beginner's best friend. I couldn't ask for a better group of friends. And! They've recruited me into East Nasty, which I am LOVING!
When I started, I was running a 15 minute mile, & that was if I could even finish running a mile. I'd say I'm around an 11 minute mile now & can run 3-5 miles. Who knew? Ideally, I'd like to get to a comfortable 10 minute mile & be able to maintain it for at least 3 miles. Hell, maybe I'll train for a half marathon. I can't imagine being able to run 13 miles, but then again, a year ago I couldn't imagine being able to run 3-5 miles either, so..... Crazier things have happened.
I want to give a special shout out to Mary Katherine, who I've known for 100 years & would not be doing this if she hadn't pulled me into her inner circle. Merci, mon ami!