My Running story

Over the years, my daughter Jenna would often say, “I don’t have a passion for anything.” And I would say to her, “That’s ok, everyone finds their passion at different times.”

Now, at the age of 24, she has discovered a passion for food — the cooking and eating of flavorful dishes with interesting spices. Even when she went to Europe last year, her most exciting stories revolved around food.

Later in my own life, I discovered a passion for running at the age of 44. I had a desire to exercise outside as opposed to going to the health club, so I chose to run.

My running progressed slowly over the course of the year, running about two to three miles, three times per week. Then, plagued by shin splints and winter weather, I succumbed to working out at the health club to keep up my newfound fitness schedule with a goal to run a 5k at my son’s elementary school. Over that year I realized I LOVED running! The feeling of my legs moving underneath me, propelling me forward, listening to music that I never would find the time for otherwise gave me a profound sense of calm, solitude, and accomplishment.

After the 5k, I continued running about three times per week, increasing my distance slowly over the next year to three to four miles at a time. I set a goal to run around Meta Lake in Eagle River,Wi, a six and a half mile loop, where my family went every summer. By this time I became serious about my running and began studying the art and science of running thus a passion was born.

When I was plagued by multiple running injuries,  I sought out the support of my physical therapy friends for healing. Healing consisted of manual physical therapy as well as functional exercises to fine-tune my running mechanics and muscle imbalances unearthed by my new found love of running.

Even when I was injury-free and running consistently for 2- 3 years, I still questioned whether I was ready to do a half marathon. That was until my daughter Jenna, at the age of fifteen, convinced me to try and agreed to run with me.

Completing the Chicago half marathon many years ago with Jenna was life changing. Not only did I get to spend quality, uninterrupted time with my daughter, but I also realized I accomplished something I never dreamed possible. I became a runner.

Do you have a passion for running or something else? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below, or you can send me a note at denise@themanualtouch.com.

Read more about my story as a runner:
How I Lost My Running Mojo
Shut Up and Dance