January 4, 2022Chrystal Ziebart
My love for running runs deep but a fun fact about me is I didn’t start becoming serious about being a runner until after I had kids. Yes, I ran during high school for a couple of years on the track & field team. Yes, I played soccer… which involves a lot of running. Yes, I used running as my form of exercise when I was in college. But, running was never really something I ever thought of as being an integral part of my life.
When I had my oldest, I was invited by the owner of the FIT4MOM (back then, it was just Stroller Strides) location I was a client of to run the Carlsbad 5000. It was a flat race right by the ocean, so of course, I said sure! I didn’t train and I really didn’t know what to expect, but once I crossed the finish line, I knew I was hooked. From there, my relationship with running has evolved into a full-blown love affair. I’ve run way too many 5K’s, 10K’s, and half marathons to count. I’ve been on two Ragnar teams, even though both (yes, BOTH) races for canceled due to fires or COVID. I’m determined to actually participate in a RAGNAR (hopefully in 2022) and I’d really love to run a full marathon.
I've shared some of my favorite running pictures below - You'll see me racing someone to the finish (because it's always a race for me. I love a good competition), a finisher picture of one of my training groups with my last FIT4MOM location in Northern California (I adore each one of these ladies and miss them to pieces. If you know anyone up Contra Costa County, tell them to reach out. Those women are magic), me completing the third half marathon in a series when I was 7 months pregnant with my youngest (maybe my proudest running moment to date), and a fun 10K I ran with my middle buddy in the stroller.
When FIT4MOM introduced a running program into their lineup of offerings, I IMMEDIATELY became certified and started coaching other mamas. I fell in love with running after I became a mother and never really considered myself to be a runner prior to that. I wholeheartedly believe ANYONE can be a runner. One of my favorite things about this program is that I’ve seen so many mamas start the program not really able to say they are a runner or that they enjoy running and end up signing up for session after session because they see what their body and their mind is capable of. I’ve seen moms fall in love with running and that fills my running cup so it overflows.
Running was one thing that I fell out of sync with during COVID and I'm really looking forward to hopping back on the horse, starting from the beginning again, and building my endurance and speed back up to what it used to be. It will take time, but I'm looking so forward to the work. One way I'm holding myself accountable for my running goals is to bring Run Club+ BACK to FIT4MOM Chino Hills. I've already planned out 4 5K training sessions and our locations FIRST half marathon training session. I can't wait to share all the details about the sessions soon!
