Now it's time for another runner spotlight...my favorite time of the week! I love reading other runners' stories about their running journey! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com! I'd love to spotlight you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! ;-) And I'm running low on spotlights so now's your time to shine!!!
Today I'm spotlighting Leslie from Running on Borrowed Time! Running really changed her life like it does so many of us. Keep reading to learn more about her running journey!
Name: Leslie
Hesselbein
State: Arkansas
When and why did you start running?
I talk about this in one of my blog
posts: http://senoracorrida.wordpress.com/2014/02/24/women-can-run/
“I’d just turned 37
(December) years old. I had been gaining weight at an alarming rate since
turning 35… I was tired, feeling old, and wanted to change. I
didn’t want the “best” part of my life to be over already… and I was mourning
the loss of a sweet young friend’s leg to her battle against cancer… so I
decided to run. I signed up for a 5K to be held in February, 2012… even though
I could not run a single mile. The road I live on dead ends on a cul-de-sac.
The whole thing is half a mile. So I’d walk uphill to the cul-de-sac and run
downhill to the stop sign… turn around and repeat. Slowly, I was able to run
part of the way back up to the cul-de-sac. On the hill back up, (which these
days doesn’t even count as a “hill”) I’d say my sweet young friend’s name over
and over as I put one foot in front of another. It was HARD! …but not as hard,
on any level, as what she was dealing with every day in her brand new life as
an amputee. Many times I’d cry as I thought of her and the pain she was
facing. I praised God for each step, no matter how tough.”
Then
I just kept running….
What is your favorite race and race distance?
My favorite race is the Soaring Wings
Half Marathon in Conway, Arkansas. http://www.swhalf.com/ The half-marathon is my FAVORITE
distance right now…very challenging, but totally possible.
What is your race day routine?
Wake up and get dressed (usually have
it all laid out). I generally eat a piece of toast with peanut butter, or a
piece of cheese toast, and half a banana. I’m really sick of bananas, so I have
to make myself do this. Then I try to get to the race at least 30 minutes
before it starts, so I’m not stressing out and have time for the restroom
(usually more than once).
What is your most favorite piece of running gear?
Well, I recently bought a Garmin
Forerunner, so it’s my current favorite… but I rely on my Body Glide.
Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement
your running?
No. Sometimes I take potassium
because I suffer from calf cramps, but not regularly.
What do you wish you’d known when you first started running?
I wish I’d known that it’s an
amazing, incredible blessing, even when it’s HARD (or especially when it’s
hard)! I wish I’d known that I was CAPABLE of being one of those “crazy” women
running in all weather and places and even on vacations. I should have started
SOONER!
What is your fondest running memory?
I HAVE SO MANY….
-When I ran the Doc Rock and Run Half
in Jonesboro, Arkansas…I had fun with my sole sisters that I traveled with, but
I ended up running alone with NO MUSIC- and I had the best time with my Lord on
that run. I told a guy he was my pacer at a water station, and he loved it. I
later passed him, with some encouragement. He found me after the race and gave
me a hug. It was great and I’ll never forget it. http://docrockandrun.racesonline.com/
-First Women Can Run 5K as a coach… so incredibly inspiring!
-Gorgeous Pre-Run for 3B26…
fantastically beautiful day with friends, longest run to date at that time...
-Climbing Mt. Nebo this past summer
during the 13+ miler and the PERFECT song comes on to
remind me of how gloriously awesome my God is, and how much He loves me…just in
time.
-Crossing the finish line of a FULL
MARATHON!!!!
-COUNTLESS TRAINING RUNS WITH
FANTASTIC PEOPLE! RUNNERS ARE INCREDIBLE!!!
What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
I really like to be alone… I enjoy
time outside with just God, all by myself…
I work, run, and play with others all
the time- and I ADORE it. Everyone knows I love people… but I also just
love to be alone.
Is there
anything else you would like to share with us?
We are “fearfully and wonderfully
made.” We have bodies that can do amazing things. Our frames, our casings, all
of it… so fragile and yet so AWESOMELY TOUGH…
I pray you never waste a moment
regretting the body you have, but USE IT!
I praise God for making us unique and incredible… precious. I pray that
you would all recognize how precious you are. There’s only one you,
ever…
You can connect with Leslie on her blog!
Thanks so much for sharing with us Leslie!!!
QOTD: What did you do this weekend?
