Great news! I made the PikesPeakSports.us Triple Crown Runner team AGAIN! After wearing the esteemed Purple and Gold for the 2013 team, I’m back for more, even though I swore after the Pikes Peak Ascent that I would NEVER do that race again. (However, I also once said I’d never get married, never have kids and never drive a mini-van – all of which were epic fails, so why not keep on failing with my list of “nevers” and tackle the entire Triple Crown for the second time?)

This year means a lot to me since for the last 24 years, my journey has always involved running in some shape or form. This year, it feels much different. I’ve been at various times a good, average, decent and poor runner along the course of my life. I’ve noticed that over the years, the ups and down of my athletic ability have been heavily influenced by my job, friendships, relationships and general attitude of the moment. The last time I felt like I was a “good” runner was over five years ago when I was struggling with a failing marriage, having doubts about my career and routinely seeking refuge from the chaos through running. I ran hard to escape my life and as a result of my determination, I got faster along the way. Running was the only success I felt I had at the time. It was finally in this running community that I found the strength, motivation and confidence that it wasn’t too late to make changes in my life that would put me on a better, happier and more productive path.

It was these same running friends that believed in me, cheered me on, celebrated success and laughed at failures that carried me through those years. Since then, I have made many changes by leaving the Army and seeking a new career path in the Air Force, divorcing my first husband, marrying my second husband and best friend in the universe, and purchasing my own dream home and five acres in Black Forest, which is now happily brimming with pets, children, laughter and many both old and new friends. I’m the same person I was before, but very different because I have nothing left to run from.

I found that while I was making all of these changes, I didn’t need running in the quite the same way I did before. While I previously ran harder to reduce stress and cope with disappointment and anger, I now felt freer, less pressured and certainly more relaxed. I saw the change in my running ability as I allowed myself to slow down and almost completely lost the need to really challenge and push myself. I simply ran for the pleasure of being outside and the contentment of knowing my body would still be healthy and fit enough to complete the race. Pace no longer mattered. I ran to chat with my husband and friends, enjoy the scenery and in hopes of simply passing on the love and gift of running to others.

Even on the 2013 PikesPeakSports.us Triple Crown Team, I simply ran for the enjoyment. My times were certainly nothing special. I walked portions of the races and never cared much about my results. Just being there was enough. However, this year, I believe I’ve finally found that spark that wonders how much I could accomplish if I really pushed myself to be a better runner again. This time, the difference is that I won’t be running hard out of anger and frustration. For the first time, I want to run hard in pure celebration of where I am in life RIGHT NOW. I am thoroughly happy, surrounded by incredibly fantastic, inspirational friends and love my body in ways I never have before. I am proud, confident and motivated. How far can I go this year? Who knows? But I’m out there training and ready to GO this time! Bring on the Triple Crown!