Here is a great history of commitment and dedication to personal health and physical activity. Thanks, Crystal, for sharing!

"I have always been an out-of-doors kind of girl. When I was little, growing up in Upstate NY, my parents would ensure myself and my three sisters got our daily 'time in the sun.' Whether rain or shine, we were always outside taking walks, riding bicycles, skiing, ice-skating and/or snow-shoeing. 

"In high school I got my first taste of my beloved sport of choice: running. I played soccer and participated in several intramural sports. I ran on and off over the next ten years, always vouching to join a running club, but never taking the time. That is until I moved to Wilmington, NC. I met and befriended several local runners there who were members of the Wilmington Roadrunner's Club....and I was immediately hooked!

"Initially, we trained and ran local 5k and 10ks. Then 'the sickness,' as I call it, grew along with my curiosity about running longer distances...like a marathon. That was it for me! I quit smoking, started eating healthier food and began training five days a week for the next six months to prepare for the Myrtle Beach Marathon.

"I ran my first marathon there marking two milestones in my life: my 31st birthday and the beginning of the rest of my life as a RUNNER!

"Ten years later and I have never looked back since! Nowadays I can't even imagine my life without running playing an integral role...I am still at it today having run/completed over 60 road races of varying distances, including 28 marathons and counting!

"For me, the act of running represents what living is all about: one breath and one footstep at a time. Hope to see you on the road!"

Crystal

Posted by Kathy Higgins on March 27, 2008