The date is May 7th 2002. I sneak out at the crack of dawn and
run/walk a 2k route around my neighborhood, my first run...
ever. A colleague of mine had somehow, with her
supernatural powers, managed to convince me that even I could run. I was
thirty years old, had never done any kind of sports, been overweight all my
life, smoked two packs a day for years and to put it simple, really excelled at
self destruction in any way shape or form...
When I got back home I wrote down the distance and the time in a little
notebook, as she had suggested. The next day I did it again and the
day after that. A few days later I ran a little
further. I got huge blisters on the insoles of both my feet and after
two weeks of running in my old trainers, I bought my very first pair of running
shoes. Another round of blisters and a couple of weeks later after
inserting new orthotics, I went through round three, the final round. I
had heard somewhere that if you kept at it for six weeks you would become a runner
and that was something I really wanted. I didn't question it, I never looked back and I
never considered quitting.
I remember when I bought my first pair of running tights and I was
too embarrassed to wear them. I stuffed them in the back of my closet.
A few weeks later I visited my brother in the country and tried them out
where no one knew me. I still have them.
I will never forget my first race. My goal was to run a sub 60
minute 10k, which I did, the time 54:39. Later that year I ran a sub
50 (48:46). In the final stretch a girl passed me and beat me by 2
seconds. I still remember the feeling and I wowed I would NEVER let it
happen again. A week later I placed second in a race and experienced
my first time on the podium. I didn't touch the ground for
days. Once you have had a taste of the podium it is irresistible.
I have participated in 272 races, running, cycling, bi- and triathlons and raced my way to the podium in
most of them. I have been the national champion in 5000 m, 10 km
road racing, cross-country running, in an ultra marathon 55k, bicycle road
racing and set a new national record in half Iron man triathlon distance. I
have run three marathons, the last one on my birthday in 2008 where I ran a PB
3:09 and placed 5th on the all time Icelandic female marathon top finisher list. Winning
the Laugavegur Ultra 55k that same year is probably my sweetest victory to date. I‘m
very fortunate to be married to a runner, who understands what it‘s all about.
In the last twelve and a half years I have run 26.517 km
or approximately 70% of the Earths circumference (38.600 km :) and I plan to
complete the distance before I‘m fifty. Then I‘ll start round
two. I have had some injuries, none that were serious. I was diagnosed with a herniated spinal disc
a few years ago, running helps me keep it in check so it doesn't affect my
quality of life. I have run my way through 6 pregnancies, four
miscarriages, two full term and given birth to two amazing human
beings in record time. Today I am 43 years old and weigh exactly
forty kilos less than twenty years ago.
Running has taught me that you reap what you sow and that is a valuable
lesson. Through running I have met the people I admire the most in
life and the least. It‘s good to be able to recognize both.
I wouldn't be the person I am today if
it wasn't for running and I like the person I see in the mirror
every morning and I make sure I care for her.
Who am I? I‘m a daughter, sister, mother, wife,
friend, acquaintance, good, bad, naughty, funny, a winner and so much
more.
And yes, I‘m a runner.
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