I never really considered myself to be an “athlete” growing up. I participated in many different extracurricular activities from piano to dance and soccer to cheerleading (including a short stint in ’01 and ’06 as a “Felion” on the BC Lions CFL ‘cheer team’). I ran my first ever 10km (Vancouver Sun Run) in high school and first half marathon (BMO Vancouver) in 2007.
Running and I have become better and better friends as time goes on. There are few other cardio activities that burn as many calories and provide that ‘endorphin high’ within a short period of time. I like the fact that you can essentially run anywhere, anytime – no need for a net, ball or the weather to be perfect. Vancouverites are also fortunate to train in a temperate climate with plenty of parks, trails and seawall access.
Here is a bit of a visual recap from running events over the past few years:
![BMO half marathon PB in 2013 - 1:40:43](https://48s54e.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_0949-300x300.jpg)
BMO half marathon PB in 2013
![2015 Vancouver "First Half" Marathon](https://48s54e.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/first-half-photo-300x200.jpg)
2015 Vancouver “First Half” Marathon
![Bachelorette weekend half marathon in Palm Springs. Yes, it was crazy thought, but we did it and placed 3rd and 4th in our age category!](https://48s54e.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_4572-e1433101269931-300x300.png)
Palm Springs half marathon on a bachelorette weekend. Yes, it was a crazy idea, but we finished and placed 3rd and 4th in our age category!
This year, I finally reached a goal that I have been working towards for the past 3 years. Here’s a blurb on: My Most Memorable Marathon
![Mom and dad at the finish line :)](https://48s54e.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_4203-300x300.jpg)
Mom and dad at the finish line 🙂
All of these led to my personal best marathon time of 3:29:49, which means I’m pretty much guaranteed to be able to participate in the 2016 Boston Marathon. With patience, commitment and dedication, anything is possible!
![Boston here I come! The clock time is a bit slower than my chip time of 3:29:49](https://48s54e.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_4195-1024x1024.jpg)
Boston here I come! The clock time is a bit slower than my chip time of 3:29:49
![I thought this time was fast enough to get me to Boston...not quite! It was about 13 seconds too slow...](https://48s54e.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_4574-e1433101184940-297x300.png)
I thought this time was fast enough to get me to Boston…not quite! It was about 13 seconds too slow…
![Family shot at the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in 2013](https://48s54e.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_4577-e1433101106754-300x300.png)
Family shot at the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in 2013
![Seawheeze Half Marathon in August 2014 with the Higgins' family](https://48s54e.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_4573-e1433100916476-300x300.png)
Seawheeze Half Marathon in August 2014 with the Higgins’ family
![Not my best time, but still a fun race around UBC with great friends!](https://48s54e.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/IMG_4576-e1433102028423-293x300.png)
Not my best time, but still a fun race around UBC with great friends!