BodiesByBadger

May 31st, 1999 is the day that will live in infamy in the Badger household. That Sunday morning, I headed out for my first run. I hadn't ever really been out for a "run" before. I was a power walker, walking about 10 miles a day... 5 miles in the morning and 5 miles in the afternoon. I was an Aerobics Instructor and taught 5 to 8 classes a week. I was certainly in good enough shape to go out for a run!! Or so I thought!! I headed out the door with all the intentions in the world of running 2 miles. I was going to rock 'n' roll on this 2-mile route... one mile and 5 walk breaks later I was done!! What was wrong with me?? I was in good shape! I was an athlete all through high school!! I loved being active! Something was VERY wrong!

Now I was mad. Now I was determined. Now I was going to be a runner!!!

I started running a few miles three days a week. It was VERY hard at first, but I knew I had to stick with it, so I continued to try! I pressed on, running early in the morning before work. Soon I noticed how great I was feeling. I started to feel more energetic throughout the day and began to observe weight loss, as well as, muscle definition and toning where I didn't think possible.

After realizing that I was going to stick with my running, I started setting goals. I was going to run a 5 mile road race on Labor Day, September 6, 1999 so... I signed up for my very first road race on July 4th of that year. It was a 3K and a very well spectated race. I had to make a good showing! Being from a small town in Maine, I was sure to have friends, family and co-workers watching who would be quick to critique my performance!

I got to the starting line surrounded by people who LOOKED like runners. I am a mere 5'2" and a muscular 125 pounds. A body type I attribute to, not only my parents, but my many years of teaching aerobics and lifting weights... certainly not the body of a runner! I was already intimidated and still unsure of my decision to take up running. Here I stood at the starting line, butterflies and all, just hoping the race director would fire the starting pistol so I could get this race over with. Just as that thought crossed my mind, we were off. All I could hear were thousands of tiny beeps as people were starting their stopwatches all around me followed by the pounding of sneakers on the pavement. Off I went, running along with the pack, soaking up the July sunshine and, surprisingly, feeling pretty good about myself and my decision to run. There were thousands of people on the sidewalks cheering us on. People yelling "You look great!", "Great Job!"' and "Keep going!" Perfect strangers were encouraging us every step of the way... all 1.8 miles of it. I felt my head lift and my shoulders roll back. I was running proud and was glad to be out on the race course. I ran the entire distance without stopping and couldn't have been happier. I got close to the finish line where I saw my family and friends cheering me into the shoot. They were even more proud of me than I was of myself. I crossed the finish line with a huge smile on my face and a great sense of accomplishment and pride. Within seconds of crossing the line, everyone who had come to cheer me on was with me, patting me on the back, hugging me and just glowing. Running was DEFINITELY the sport for me. People I didn't even know came up to me and told me what a great race I had run. It was like I was now a part of an entirely different family. A family of people, who would be the mere few, who understood why I ran, why I loved to run and why I would never stop running.

From that day on, I focused on running and setting new , more ambitious goals. I enjoyed experiencing that "runner's high" and was going to pass it along to everyone I knew. I joined a local running club and recruited some of my friends to join me for my morning runs! I was running almost daily. I couldn't get enough. I loved how I felt before, during and after I ran. Even on my 'bad' running days, I just chalked it up as a learning experience and knew that the next day would be better. I started to recognize, that not only was running good for me, it was a great way to spend some time alone and think or take a group of friends out for a 'social' run. Most everyone is born with the ability to run. Running is not a skill that takes a lot of training, expensive attire, or a lot of fancy equipment. All you need to run is a good pair of running sneakers, good friends, safe streets and a little bit of ambition.

The Labor Day 5-miler came and went and I was thrilled to have achieved that goal. I finished in 42.55 which was GREAT for me. Heck, just finishing was GREAT for me... but, what was my next goal going to be?? Well, that's where my friend Joni comes in!

My friend Joni had been the most encouraging, dedicated and supportive friend I had ever had…and continues to be just that! She was training for the Chicago Marathon and asked me to run it with her. I thought there was something seriously wrong with her and was in the process of setting up an appointment for her with a local Psychologist, when she put it all in perspective for me. "You run almost every day. You LOVE running. You're basically doing the training now, we just have to build on your weekend runs." Unfortunately, she had a point! I asked her to send me her training schedule, I would start it. If I felt comfortable enough with the training, I would register for the Marathon. Well, that is exactly what I did! The training was hard, probably one of the hardest things I had ever done in my life up until that point, but with her encouragement and running experience to support me…I was bound and determined. My family thought I was crazy, but they were behind me 110%. My boyfriend (now husband) even went out on my long runs with me. He'd jump on his bike, water pack and all and suffer through 3 to 4 hour runs with me! How could I not do this Marathon now??

Chicago 2000, I stood on the starting line, Joni by my side... gain, butterflies, excitement, nausea, you name it, I had it... but I was here and I was going to do this, no matter what it took! 4:02.58 later, I had completed my very first Marathon. I was in a little pain, but SO proud of my accomplishment that I couldn't wait to do another. New goal... qualify for the Boston Marathon!!!

I ran several races, from 5Ks to Half Marathons in 2001. I got married then found out I was pregnant but committed to remaining active. I ran for about 5 months of my pregnancy and then turned to other means of cardiovascular exercise that simulated running without the impact. I would walk on the treadmill, aqua jog in the pool, or jump on the elliptical trainer for my remaining 4 months. This enabled me to jump back into my favorite sport shortly after having my son in 2002. I ran my 2nd Marathon just under a year after my son was born (Sugarloaf USA, Marathon May 2003). I was not able to qualify for Boston at the Sugarloaf Marathon... THIS TIME, but it was still on my "to do" list!

I quickly learned that the more goals I set for myself, the more active I would remain. I was / am more motivated when I have something to train for. I often stay on track with my training by keeping one or two races a month on my schedule. It's another great way to meet people in my community, learn about other great events, and keep active on the weekends.

My next goal was going to be to change things up a bit. Now I was going to tackle the world of the triathlon. I certainly wasn't going to give up my running... I was just going to build on it! My first triathlon was the Lobsterman International Distance triathlon in Freeport, Maine. I loved it!!

Several people soon began asking me about running and fitness, as well as, how and why I ran. I decided that I was going to take my exercise background (BS in Physical Education, Health and Recreation) and put it to good use... helping others. I got my Personal Training Certification in 2002 and started working to help others attain their fitness goals. I did everything from teach a 'Mom's On The Run' running class, to incorporating a running program for children at the local Police Athletic League, and began a beginners running group for adults wanting to learn to run for their health (not speed or competition). I loved seeing other people succeed even more than experiencing my own success!

January 2004, I traveled down to Florida to run the Disney Marathon. I was going to qualify for Boston this time... and I did!! I achieved my #1 running goal! All that hard work had paid off! I even had to confine 85% of my training to a treadmill. The result was a 3:37.24 marathon! I was so proud, considering I began my running career unable to run a mile without stopping.

Since then I have competed two more marathons (Boston and Sugarloaf... again), qualified for Boston... again, finished 4 Sprint triathlons, 2 International Distance and have the Florida Half Ironman on my schedule for 2006! I continue to Personal Train, teach Aerobics, Spinning and Pilates Classes. I run with a local running group and look forward to this year's Disney Marathon where I have SEVERAL friends running their very first Marathon... including my own husband! I am excited to be a part of their first marathon experience as I compete in the first ever Goofy's Race And A Half Challenge (Half Marathon and Full Marathon back to back. 39.3 miles in two days).

To all of you participating in an upcoming event... GOOD LUCK! To all of you who thought you could never run in a road race, believe it, then get out there and DO it! Running is 10% physical and 90% mental! If you take anything away from this article, please know that you DO NOT have to be an elite athlete to participate in road races, I'm not!! You DO NOT have to have years of experience or an extensive athletic background to cross the finish line of 10K, Half or Full Marathon, I don't!!! Take it from me, the girl who started out not being able to run a single mile... if you want it, you can have it! JUST BELIEVE!!

SEE YOU AT THE STARTING LINE! TRAINING SCHEDULE: Week 10 of a 15 week schedule

Sunday: Long run; 21 miles in 3:01.38

Monday: Shorter run; 7.25 miles in 1:01.22 and 45 minute Spinning Class

Tuesday: Medium distance run; 11.3 miles in 1:30.12, cross-train 45 minute Step Class.

Wednesday: OFF run, lift weights (weights include plyometric exercises to help increase power and speed)

Thursday: Speed work; treadmill 1 mile intervals for 5 miles, Swim 2,500 yards

Friday: Shorter Recovery Run 5 miles in 42.23 minutes, lift weights

Saturday: Either short run or OFF (right now I am running a bit longer in order to increase my stamina and recovery for the Goofy Challenge); 6.5 miles in 51.28

TOTAL MILEAGE: 56.05 miles

Bio For The End of The Article:

Amy Badger, mother of her 3-year old son Aubrey and wife of Philip, is an avid runner who is loving running in Florida after moving recently to Orlando from Bangor, Maine! With 5 Marathons behind her, she is looking forward to competing in the Goofy Race And A Half Challenge at Walt Disney World 2006 and has the Florida Half Ironman on her training schedule for early 2006. Find her Q & A answers on www.beginnertriathlete.com and see how you too can get involved in triathlons…if you have not yet done so!!

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