I had always said that I would never run unless there was someone chasing me with a machete. That all changed the summer before my senior year of college. My friend really pushed me to sign up for a 5k race that our church was organizing. I hesitantly said yes and then really did nothing to prepare for it. My thinking was I will probably make a huge fool of myself, so I'll just do this one race and get it over with and then enjoy my run-free life. The day of the race arrived and I was really regretting barely preparing for this run. But I was there and ready to run (or in my case hopefully drag my body over the finish line in less than 14 hours...). The gun went off and I started my slow jog. The first 10 minutes were a little rough as I tried to set a pace and tell myself that I could make it. But as the race went on I started feeling pretty good about myself. All the volunteers were wonderful and cheered every one on and I felt that I was really accomplishing something. When I crossed the finish line (in a little over 30 minutes... not too bad) I was on cloud 9. Yes I was exhausted and sweating profusely, but I was also happy and proud. I, Katie Susanne Buchanan, had run 3.1 miles and not died. From that moment on, I ran. No I was not Forrest Gump and I did not run continuously across the country for 3 years. But I did start to run as my main form of exercise and I LOVED IT.
As I ran I really saw what my body could do if I let it. I was strong, I was determined, I was happy. I learned that I had motivation and drive. I could do great things and be the person I wanted to be. I didn't have to hide or be in a relationship to define myself. I could determine how I felt and was perceived all on my own. It was a liberating experience and it all happened because I laced up some gym shoes and ran a measly 3.1 miles. I also gained a confidence that I had never had before. I ran for President of my co-ed fraternity, and won. I participated more in class, and found out not all my professors were scary. I talked with people I didn't know very well, and found some really great friends along the way. And this is the part of the story that is the most important, I asked out a boy in the HMB drumline. I had never asked any boy out before out of sheer mortification that they would laugh in my face and I would die of shame. But with ( a lot) of prompting and with a little threatening from my best friends and sister, I asked Adam if he maybe wanted to do something some time. And he did (eventually, REALLY long story, this kid was totally oblivious that I liked him after a solid month of me messaging and texting him EVERY day. He can be a little clueless...). We went to band formal together and not to sound cliche, the rest is history. We have been together ever since and he really is my other half. I knew from the first night we hung out that this was who my heart was waiting for. This was the man I was going to marry.
As our relationship progressed, Adam really supported my running. He had never known me as anything but a runner. I also tried to get Adam into a little bit of the fitness aspect of my life. And while I have never gotten him to run with me (yet), he now enjoys a fairly active lifestyle and has found his niche in biking. But we were still missing something, proper nutrition. We didn't eat horribly, but our go to meals were pasta and cheese laden foods. Adam loved his Cheese-Its and I found comfort in a huge bowl of noodles. But I knew that we needed to do something different. It seemed a little hypocritical to run and bike and exercise as much as we did, then come home and plop down in front of the TV with a huge plate of mostaccioli. So after a little research, I approached Adam about eating "clean". Essentially we would not eat any more processed or chemically enhanced food. Only whole real foods would grace our plates. I told him it would be hard, especially since we both subsisted mainly on processed food like crackers and cereal and boxed meals. Luckily for me Adam was fairly receptive and we decided to change our eating habits.
And it was tough at first. I think that it was a little tougher on Adam since it was my idea and I was very gung ho about the whole situation. But I would never go back. Our lives have really been enhanced and we both feel and look better than ever. We have energy to do all the activities we love, we eat really delicious meals that our good for us, and for me personally I believe I have found a calling in this I believe. Sure this lifestyle has it's hard times (any time we try to eat out) and people constantly make the joke about scrubbing our food to eat clean (haha...) but the benefits far outweigh the negative and we have no desire to go back to our old way of eating.
So there you have it. That is my story (sorry it took so long to get it out there!). It has been a long journey to this point in my life. I am no longer the scared, unhappy girl I was in high school. Sure I have my moments, but I remember that first race and realize I can do anything. With my family, friends, Adam, and God at my side I will accomplish great things. I have run many miles to get to this point, and I have many more to run to get to my amazing future.
Katie
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