Contagious

I saw on a blog once that sitting on the floor with your legs propped up against the wall is a good way to stretch your legs after a run... which is where I found myself Sunday afteroon:

Since I started running on a more regular basis a couple years ago, I have picked up countless tips, suggestions and inspiration from blogs, running groups, magazines and most influentially: people; but more specifically, friends. Enter into my blog: Connie Plungas. 

Connie has run 5 full marathons, multiple half marathons and even some triathalons. Yeah, she is amazing.... with really good arms.... and really good boobs.... I might have a slight girl crush on her....

But anyway, after hearing about all of her races, and her running stories, and just having the general desire to be Connie - I started running.

I started off with small runs around my neighborhood....twice around the block, 2 miles here, 3 miles there... which soon led to my first 5K as an adult runner (I ran cross country back in high school for 1 year.... and oddly enough I hated it), where I came in 2nd place in my age group and received a medal!

please ignore my skeletal frame here.

After my 5k, it was only appropriate to run a half marathon - I mean, come on, who doesn't want to tack on an extra 10 miles of running.....at least that is what Connie was thinking when she asked if I wanted to run the Air Force Half Marathon with her and her then boyfriend, Dan (they are now engaged!). Despite sitting in a 2 hour traffic jam, and crossing the starting line 15 minutes after the gun went off, it was a great race!

Moving along.... I'm sure you know where this post is leading.... yep, my next challenge was a whole marathon... aka 26.2 miles. I only suggest running this distance if you consider yourself crazy... which I do, hence my signing up for the Cincinnati Flying Pig Full Marathon, joining a running group, and committing to 4 or so months of training. I'm proud to say I completed the marathon last May in 4 hours and 8 minutes...in pouring rain.

My Nike ad. Man I wish my arms were still that skinny!

It wasn't until shortly after finishing my marathon that my good friend, and current roommate Annie, heard about my recent love of running and wanted the details. So through numerous text messages, e-mails and conversations about the sport I soon got her hooked, and guided her to her first race ever:

We ran the above race on Labor Day, and believe it or not, Annie ran her first half marathon later that October! Her sister even joined in on the 13.1 miles of craziness!

please ignore my freakishly large head and/or forehead and thunder thighs :)

Now, I'm not a scientist, nor a doctor, and I did get a B- in college, so please don't take my words or ideas to heart, but I think from the above information that I have pretty good reason to say that running is contagious. 

I caught the running bug from Connie.

Annie caught the running bug from me.

It's only a guess as to who will catch it next.....!

Always stretch,