My running story and goals!

My name is Karlisue and I am the captain of this amazing Ragnar Team Sparkle 2011!  Most Ragnar Team Captains are crazy marathon running junkies, not me.  I'm not your typical runner!  In fact I don't even consider what I do running, I call it wuggling (this is a mix of waddling, running, and jogging.)

Running is not easy for me.  As many of you know as a child I was a quadriplegic for a portion of my life.  The syndrome that caused me to lose my ability to move also caused me to lose sensation in my legs and arms.  I gained back most of my strength but, my sensation never fully returned.  Because of this I walk and run a little funny (so you all have to promise not to tease me to bad!)

When I was 6 I ran my first 10k with my Dad!  This was something I enjoyed!  The Elementary I attended was very competitive when it came to distance running!  I always did my best to make it into the "Field Day Race Finals" I just thought that was the coolest thing EVER!  I kept running and I loved it!  Even with Asthma, I loved feeling like I was fast!

Then like I mentioned above when I was 12 I had the opportunity to go through a really neat and trying experience of becoming a quadriplegic.  At this point running left me thoughts!  Just being able to move on my own was as far as my thoughts could take me.

Running didn't return to my mind until I met my husband Jeremy.  His mother (who is a avid runner) invited me to join her in the Disneyland Half Marathon in 2008.  I couldn't say no!  I wanted to impress my future in-laws and the thought of running again tantalized my brain.  I was nervous not knowing what I had gotten myself into!  I started training and it was rocky!  I didn't really know what I was doing and I was to embarrassed to ask anyone else for help.  I had an old treadmill in my house that didn't even keep track of your distance and the speed was ify who knew how accurate anything was on it.  But, I made the goal to run every night.

That September I ran and completed my first half marathon!  After this I realized I could do things I never thought possible. I have continued running and completing half marathons, 5k's, 10k's, and random fun runs with my family and friends.

I run not because I love it but, because I want to prove to myself I can do hard things!  Competing in next years Ragnar Relay is doing just that I'm proving to myself that I can do hard things and that I won't give up even when the odds are against me.

My goals for this winter are simple.  My goal is to run everyday except Sunday's.  My goal is not to go a certain distance but, just to run each and everyday and to give it my best!  Some days that means 1 mile and other days that means 6. I will keep this goal through December then I will have more organized and distance/time orientated goals.

Lots of Love,

Karlisue