GUEST POST: AMY DAY FROM THEAMYDAY.COM, THIS IS HER STORY....

Hi! I'm Amy from www.TheAmyDay.com

This is my beginning and where I consider my life to have really began. It's when the magic started to happen.  You know, the beginning of the wonder years, prime time, I was 29, I had lost some weight by doing a lot of Zumba, I was feeling good about myself and life was moving right along. I was at a dinner party giving a toast about goals, living life to the fullest, yada, yada, yada, when two of my dearest friends stood up, raised their glasses, looked at me and said "I think you should run Double Bridge 15k with us"  I could have ripped their heads off their runner bodies.  I was in front of 20 people, glass in hand, people excited and waiting with anticipation to hear my answer- the pressure was insane and of course I had to say yes.  I was not a runner and I was very seriously considering not being their friend anymore either.

I trained for 4 months, 2 short runs in the week and one long one each weekend. I gave it my best effort. With each week I gained confidence and built endurance. It was hard. It was cold, it was hot, it was rainy, it was dangerous, it was dark. It required time that I had to find, it required accountability, it wasn't a fly by the seat of my pants type thing- it required preparation.

Race day came and I was going to give it all I got- no matter what I'd finish my goal and cross the finish line. My only goal was to finish and not be picked up by the bus at the end of the race (AKA Dream crusher- a big loud yellow bus). I had to mentally prepare that I would stay the course even if my pride was bruised being at the end. Well by mile 2 we were the last people in front of the bus- like a sick game of chicken, I could hear the roar of the engine behind me which caused me to sprint until I couldn't hear it anymore. 

It was lonely out there. I don't run with electronics so there was no music or entertainment- just me trying not to be distracted by the bus. One foot in front of the other, eyes straight forward, keep going.  The first bridge seemed to go on forever. There were occasional cheerleaders screaming, "Go Amy Day" after we got off the bridge and then in sight was my mom and brother with signs and cheering I sprinted past them and held back tears. 

Then I heard "Go Mom Go" my husband and children had come to cheer too. I lost it- I was full on ugly crying while running. They were my reason to run and they were there to see me do it. I continued on to the last bridge, battled a cramp around mile 7 and just had to run it out. There were more cheerleaders at the foot of the second bridge and again I could hear the bus behind me. I was almost to the finish line and thought I couldn't move any further.  The finish line seemed so close but so far. I was walking by this point and having to pep talk myself with each step. I finally made it to the the foot of the barricades for the finish line and there was my family again- it gave me a renewed strength. 

My daughter was so proud- she ran along side the gate and through the finish line with me. There was a roar of cheers from the crowd, there were supporters everywhere, everyone cheering for me. 

It was a proud moment. I loved being last. I loved finishing something that I thought was impossible. I became a runner that day. The odds were against me, I was the only one that could do it for me, and I couldn't have had a greater sense of accomplishment.  

I'm a runner because two friends chose to challenge me at a dinner party and I couldn't be more grateful.

Amy Day

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Thanks Amy!

This group of ladies are amazing. I was lucky enough to meet them at the Biggest Loser Run Walk and just hanging out with them made me feel renewed. They are so motivating. 

HAVE YOU HAD SOMEONE OR A GROUP MOTIVATE YOU IN A WAY THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?