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 Toni Agbo
I once read in Runner’s World Magazine that runners are either running to something or from something. In my case it was a little bit of both. When I joined In Motion I was running toward a balanced life while running from a sedentary lifestyle. As a career mother of two young children both involved in extra curricular activities, I had very little time for myself and invested very little time in myself.
When I joined In Motion I was told several truths, one of which was that a 5 mile run will seem like nothing and the other was that I would be prepared to run a half marathon if I followed the program. I laughed primarily in self doubt. My doubts were confirmed when I ran the first pacing run as I chanted “You can do this!” for three quarters of a mile. Little did I know that I would be possessed by a runner’s spirit within weeks. I could no longer sleep the night before a training run, and when I did, I ran in my sleep. Mind you we were only running three miles. Much to my surprise and a whole lot of effort and determination, I was capable of running 7 miles non-stop within two months of our first pacing run.
As we began to run “longer” distances I faced other challenges. My running partners were no longer able to run with the group, and as the duration of the runs lasted longer I had to pass on some of my kid’s soccer games. Then there was our first 10 mile run. On that particular day I felt as if I was running in place and the scenery was slowly passing by. For whatever reason, I could not get in the groove and quickly feel behind the rest of the group. I’d decided to give up and quickly calculated the quickest route back to my car. I opted to keep running only because I thought it would be unfair to the assistant coaches to make a bee line for my car while they were keeping an eye out for my safety. I hadn’t said hello to them that morning, and wondered it they even knew that I was running that day. Three miles into the run I felt like I was being tortured beyond belief. I looked up just as I approached mile number four to see Coach Maureen patiently standing at the corner waiting for me. She’d interrupted her run to wait for me! That was just the encouragement I needed to keep pressing forward. I completed the run, after contemplating several times to call a cab, but in the end I not only completed the 10 mile training run, but also finished the race. I can’t express in words how I felt when I crossed the finish line at the Carlsbad half, but I’m certain I wouldn’t have made it across the finish line without In Motion.
Now my children ride their bikes along side of me during my short runs. My 5 year old refers to this as “running a marathon” and several times a week he asks me, “Are you running a marathon?” Who knows, I never dreamed I’d run a half.
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 Tiffany Hernandez
I have a family history of diabetes so when I went for a regular doctor’s visit and found that I had gained 35 pounds over a span of 2 years, this raised some concerns and I realized that I had to change my lifestyle. After graduating from college, my exercise habits were inconsistent and my bad eating habits remained the same. I have always preferred outdoor activities so I started running 3 times a week for about 30 minutes each time. When I started losing the motivation to keep running, I fortunately came across the In Motion Fit website and found the opportunity to challenge and motivate myself to continue running. What drew me to the In Motion Fit program was the fact that they focused on individuals that had never run a marathon or half-marathon. The program started early enough to adequately prepare yourself. I joined the program in July of 2005 and have completed 3 marathons since then and still plan on running more. More importantly, I am much healthier, less stressed and have made great friends. Right when I started to lose my passion for running, the coaches and members of In Motion Fit helped me appreciate this sport even more. Where else can you find people that will stick with you for 26.2 miles?
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Holly Higgins
 July 2007 will mark 2 years since I became a “runner”---and I can’t even begin to tell you how ODD that still sounds to me. Me--a runner? Having spent most of my life overweight just the mere thought of running anywhere for any reason would send me into hiding. When I first moved to San Diego, I was on my own a lot and worked hard with walking and eating right to lose weight. In 2005, I had a chance to run the NYC Marathon. Wait...run? …better figure that part out. A friend mentioned that training with a group is a lot easier----easy? Easy is good! I went to my first orientation In Motion Fit meeting and pace run in July 2005. I remember the first month being a bit tough...ok, so I was completely humbled by my total inability to do something like running which should be so natural to the human body!! By August, it was clear to me that a marathon in November might be asking a bit too much of my body (which had never more sore, tired and angry with me) so I took the pressure off and deferred my NYC entry to the following year. I decided to continue to follow the training through the 6 month journey to do my first marathon in Carlsbad; still not even sure I would be able to actually DO it. And I think that is when I started to become a runner. I spent the time getting to know those around me, running and struggling at my same pace every Saturday morning (I was not just part of the Red pace group, but the super cool INFRARED funner-runner pace group!) I look back at that fall season as one of the best decisions of my life. The group I trained with were folks who were tackling their first marathon like me (or a really amazing refresher marathon for a few). They’re like a second family to me now. We’ve shared so much out there on the road. The sense of victory you feel after all the training, all the challenges to get to the finish line of that first marathon is matched to very few things you’ll ever do as an adult. Honestly! I still run with most of those amazing people today and have been for over two year! Since that day back in July 2005, I have risen to the challenge of 4 marathons (Carlsbad, Rock n’ Roll, NYC 06 and LA), 4 half-marathons and a couple of short, fast 5Ks---but the marathon came first. Why start small, right? ;-) And running has brought amazing friendships into my life, led me to an inspired job with a major athletic company, has brought an amazing man into my life who I’ll share many medals with I hope...and I still maintain the motto of “I go long, NOT fast...” and no longer get angry at folks who might look me up and down and ask “You’re a runner?” because I am not that stereotypical “sprinter” build that one might think of. I am a distance runner with all the strength of body and mind! I found a venue for my stubbornness, a place to constantly challenge myself, a way of learning patience with myself and others and when I am out there with the gang, running around Mission Bay together at some dark o’ clock hour, hair pulled under a baseball hat, no makeup, sleep still in my eyes I have never felt stronger or more beautiful than when I am out there just being a runner. The journey continues, always. I am looking forward to a new season with SO MUCH excitement as I not only tackle a few more big races for myself, but to step in as an assistant coach this time and put my energy and stubbornness out there for good use to all those new folks and hope they can accomplish what they are out there to do with us!
See you on the road!! :-) |