It's 10 years ago. I'm very overweight at 232lbs, have high blood pressure, and am at risk for heart disease. In the past 2 years, I started running and have fallen in love with it.

At first, I started biking and lost a few pounds. In early 2017, I signed up for the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge at my work.

At the race, I was with a coworker who thought we should run the last quarter mile to the finish. I did it, she didn't let me stop. It felt so good to accomplish that, which for some is very little but for me, especially at that time, was huge.

A month later, I vowed to run a mile. Every day I went to my local park and walked and ran until about a month after that I was able to run 1 mile without stopping.

I am now no longer on medication for blood pressure or at risk for heart disease. I am at the healthiest I've ever been. Now, almost 2 years later I sign up for every race I can. This will be my second half marathon and I cannot wait!