My Running Story

In the summer of 2010, I made a conscious decision to be more active; yes, it was really that vague. Ya see, back then, I couldn’t jog for three minutes without gasping for air…

Then, Couch to 5K came into my life.

I downloaded the app, laced up my New Balances and started at it...it definitely wasn’t easy, but after a week or two, I found that the hardest part was just taking that step. Alternating between walking, jogging and eventually running, I could feel the difference, and even experienced that runner’s high I had heard about! Oh, and it didn’t hurt that I lost about 20 lbs in the process!

So, I finished c25k and my interest in different running ‘subjects’ expanded – to things like barefoot running, vibram five fingers and more! I was hooked with my new active lifestyle, ran my first 5k and then started looking beyond…to yoga; Bikram to be more specific!

I fell in love with Bikram so much that I set out & completed the 30 Day Challenge – I even blogged every class!

Moving on (literally!) later in the year, we relocated from Orlando, Florida to Northern VA. I found some good running trails, a new yoga studio and all that (even ran two races!) – but it wasn’t two months later that we moved again; this time, to Charlottesville! There, I trained for my first marathon (Richmond!) and then joined Team in Training to train for my second 26.2 – The Shamrock Marathon!

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Here are some of my PRs:

5K – 23:28 (New Year’s Day 5K, 1/1/12) - my post here.

8K – 40:25 (Busch Gardens Christmastown Dash)

10K – 49:00 (Boo! Run for Life, October 2010) – my post here.

10 Miler – 1:26:37 (Charlottesville Ten-Miler, March 2011) – my post here.

Half-Marathon – 1:47:06 (Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon, February 2012) - my post here.

20 Miler – 3:00:16 (Stonewall Jackson 20-Miler, October 2011) – my post here.

Marathon – 3:58:27 (The Shamrock Marathon, March 2012) – my post here.

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Other recaps:

In 2011, I completed the Disney Coast to Coast Challenge – running the Walt Disney World 1/2 in January (read my recap here) and the Disneyland 1/2 (recap here) in September.

Rounding the bases at Angels Stadium! Disneyland 1/2 Marathon.

2012 races:

Blue Ridge Half Marathon – 2:03 – April 2012 – my recap here.

June: Utah Valley Marathon

November: Wine and Dine Half Marathon (hubby’s first race!)

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In 2012, I am searching for THE marathon to make my first attempt at qualifying to run the Boston Marathon in 2013…

Happy running!

23 Comments »

23 Responses

on 01/26/2011 at 8:13 am | Reply Tabulation. « Shiawase Life

[...] Running & Fitness [...]
on 01/26/2011 at 8:34 am | Reply gracefulfitness

Damn your fast! I’m impressed, did you really just start running? Nice work!
- on 01/26/2011 at 8:49 am | Reply set2music
  
  Hey, thanks Faith! =)
on 01/26/2011 at 8:34 am | Reply gracefulfitness

(you’re fast)
on 03/30/2011 at 7:56 pm | Reply Ten-Miler…check! « Shiawase Life

[...] Running & Fitness [...]
on 07/04/2011 at 12:47 pm | Reply Michelle @ milesforbreakfast

Wow for someone who hasn’t been running that long, you are super fast.
- on 07/05/2011 at 9:35 am | Reply set2music
  
  Thanks! I need some coaching to amp it up a little but it is definitely a fun challenge.
on 07/20/2011 at 9:59 pm | Reply Sarah

Hey Krissy,

I just came across your blog through a really random series of links, but noticed that you’re from C’ville and training for a marathon! I don’t know what training program you’re using, but just FYI the Charlottesville Track Club does a marathon training program that I’m doing for the first time this year and it is AWESOME. Tons of people out for all the long runs, water & gatorade every few miles for the long runs, etc. Seriously, check it out! It has made my training SO awesome and easy. You could probably still join if you asked nicely.

Even if you don’t do the program, if you ever want a c’ville running buddy–I’m always looking for more people to run with!

http://charlottesvilletrackclub.org/marathon/

Best,
Sarah
- on 07/20/2011 at 10:09 pm | Reply set2music
  
  Hey Sarah! Thanks so much for the comment! That program sounds really great – I appreciate you passing on that information.
on 07/31/2011 at 6:34 pm | Reply Disney Running. « Shiawase Life

[...] Running & Fitness [...]
on 12/27/2011 at 4:05 pm | Reply Running in Central Park – my Virtual 10K recap! « Shiawase Life

[...] My Running Story [...]
on 02/10/2012 at 11:11 am | Reply Why I <3 Running « Shiawase Life

[...] My Running Story [...]
on 02/10/2012 at 11:28 pm | Reply Matthew

Wow, your story sounds very similar to mine (except im much earlier in my running journey). I did my first 5K in October and am now training for the 2012 Charlottesville Marathon. I actually found your blog through weather.com from the weather social thing they have for Charlottesville. Good Luck qualifying for the Boston Marathon!
Matthew
- on 02/11/2012 at 2:56 pm | Reply krissy m. murphy
  
  Thanks for stopping by, Matthew! I am considering running the 1/2 in Cville because that’s my birthday!
  
  I appreciate the kind words and encouragement!!
- on 04/23/2012 at 3:58 pm | Reply krissy m. murphy
  
  How did the Cville marathon go?
on 02/29/2012 at 4:46 pm | Reply Carissa @Fit2Flex

Great story! I loved reading it and always love seeing you at the Disney races!
- on 03/01/2012 at 3:42 pm | Reply krissy m. murphy
  
  Thanks so much, Carissa! You are an announcer extraordinaire!!!!!
on 02/29/2012 at 9:35 pm | Reply Marcia

You’ve come far in a short time! I can recommend Columbus and Grand Rapids as excellent BQ courses. All the best with your running journey!
- on 03/01/2012 at 3:42 pm | Reply krissy m. murphy
  
  Thanks for the recommendations, Marcia!
on 03/02/2012 at 11:17 pm | Reply Patricia @ Ground Control to Major Mom

MULAN! I was a Mulan too! You’re the 3rd one I know of in the race! http://www.geekmom.com/2012/02/disney-princess-half-marathon-princess-i-mean-geekmom-patricia-is-ready/

I got my colors a little off because no other pinks would match that peachy-colored skirt. I tried the tutu thing — forget it!
- on 03/05/2012 at 4:06 pm | Reply krissy m. murphy
  
  Fun times! I wish all the Mulans could’ve got a pic together!!!!
on 03/05/2012 at 8:01 am | Reply GeekMom » Blog Archive » Disney Princess Half Marathon: Cosplay with a Twist

[...] I didn’t see any more Mulans on my race, although I’d communicated with a girl planning her own costume through a Facebook group, and this girl from Virginia was apparently ahead of me. [...]
on 04/26/2012 at 4:06 pm | Reply One step at a time… « Shiawase Life

[...] My Running Story [...]