Blogger On The Run: Cherie Runs This

This week’s Women’s Running magazine Blogger On The Run began running almost two years ago to get in shape and pursue a career as a police officer. Though an injury kept her from trying out for the academy, Cherie from Cherie Runs This started her weight loss journey and fell head over heels in love with running along the way. Read Cherie’s story and find out what happened to make her finally feel like a runner. . .

Women’s Running: How would you describe yourself? 

Cherie: I’m a married Steelers fanatic, originally from Pittsburgh, living in North Carolina. I work as a Leasing Consultant by day and NASM Certified Personal Trainer and FitFluential Ambassador the rest of the time. I’m a weight loss success story who loves running, writing, cooking, thrift store shopping and watching the NFL. I have 15 more pounds to reach my goal and I’d get there faster but I also love a good cupcake. Or two.

WR: How did you begin running?

C: My main running began in early 2011. I had {crazy} aspirations that I would make a good police officer, so I started training for the academy. I ran too far, too fast, too hard, didn’t listen to my body and got a stress fracture in my right tibia in May 2011. I was not able to try out for the academy and  couldn’t run for five months. I used that time to learn more about running, become smarter about it, and started out slowly once I was healed. I’ve been running ever since.

WR: What keeps you running and training?

C: I suppose it’s twofold. One, I never want to look like I did in my “before” pictures again. The running definitely helps with that! The other reason is that I fell madly in love with it. Amazing for the girl who used to get scolded in high school gym class for being such a resistant runner!

WR: What type of run is your favorite?

C: My favorite runs are long ones where I have no where I have to be, no appointments, nothing scheduled. Just time to go out there, get lost in my own little world and have my “me” time. These long runs especially give me time to think about how far I’ve come as a runner and in my weight loss journey.

WR: What’s your favorite race memory?

C: My favorite race memory was that of my first in May 2012. I ran in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon 5K. I hadn’t run outside very much at all {I was afraid to leave my beloved treadmill} and it just seemed like the road was going to go on forever and ever. I had run that distance many times before, but I really didn’t know if I was going to make it! I wondered what I was doing, how I got out there, how I got to that point in my life that I was actually running in a race! I had always sworn them off! But somewhere during that 3.1 miles I really for the first time felt like a runner. I learned a lot about myself and my determination during that race. I’ll never forget it. The next day I registered for a half marathon! I caught the bug.

WR: How do you reward yourself for accomplishing your training/running goals?  

C: I can’t get enough running gear. Shoes, Lululemon clothes, compression socks–they always top the list.

WR: Best running advice you’ve received or given?

C: Received–Just breathe. Yes, literally, work on my breathing {which is horrendous at times} but also, calm down. I’m not anyone else and no one else is me. I can’t compare my running to someone else , only my own. So just breathe, calm down and work on ME.

WR: Are you currently training for a race? If so, which one?

C: I just registered for my first FULL marathon!!  I will run the marathon on St. Patrick’s Day at Tobacco Road Marathon in Cary, NC.

Want to read more? Head over to Cherie Runs This!

Cherie felt like a runner after her first race – what was your defining moment?

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

We love our Women’s Running magazine Blogger On The Run so much that we want to inspire you to check her out! Simply leave a comment below telling us what you think about Cherie’s story and you’ll be entered to win a one-year subscription to Women’s Running magazine.