Denise and her son, Parker, after a 5K in 2011.

Denise and her son, Parker, after a 5K in 2011.

My most important mile ran has to be the very first one I ever ran.
I became a runner back in February 2010. I had been battling post-partum-turned-real-depression and medicine was not working. I had so much love and support from my husband (and kids), but I never felt so alone. A friend recommended that I try running. I was not a runner.
I had zero interest. At the same time, I also had nothing else to lose.
I laced up late one evening in my black Converse. As my feet struck the pavement, something inside of me ignited. Everything that was weighing me down—and I mean everything—came out as my feet smashed the road. I was about 50 pounds overweight from 2 pregnancies, so I was quite a sight. I stopped every few feet to catch my breath, then resume running again.
I remember vividly how alive I felt when I returned home. It was the first glimpse of happiness that I needed.  My husband told me to go get fitted for proper shoes and get some “runner clothes.” (Which is still to this day one of my favorite things to shop for.)
At times I’ll look back at how much running changed me over the last 3 years: all for the better. Running makes me happy.
I now have a new appreciation  for life…..and fellow runners.