Sponsored by Athleta. Overcoming the I’m Not A Runner Mentality.

When I was in middle school I had a PE teacher casually shout out over a track field, and 28 of my peers, that maybe I “just wasn’t cut out to be a runner”. We had just finished our 3-mile fitness test and I was one of the last ones to finish.

Truthfully, I didn’t hate running. I hated that it was 9:30am on a hot September day and I knew I hadn’t brought a towel to take a shower in the 3 minutes before I’d have to go back to regular classes. I didn’t want to properly sweat. I was new to that school, new to 6th grade, and new to smelling – and caring that I smell!-  if I’m going to be very honest. All of puberty’s fun new side effects were brand new to me, and the fact that I couldn’t properly shower meant I didn’t run like I needed to to be deemed “a runner” purely because I didn’t want to sweat and be made fun of in my classes to follow.

While it’s silly that one random person’s casual comment could shape how I felt about myself for years, it truly did. What started as I didn’t want to be stinky, running became this thing that I grew to hate and that PE teacher’s words never really left my mind. Even though I danced my entire childhood and into college, and while I would work out, I always felt more comfortable on the elliptical machine than running.

Then one day, at the age of 26, I signed up for my first 5K. With a friend by my side, I trained, completed it (felt like a badass while I crossed the finish line) and slowly felt confident enough to sign up for a half marathon. Again, as I crossed the finish line, after 13 miles and feeling like my body was going to fall apart, I felt on top of the world.

I’m not sure if I said it inside my head or out loud, but I’m pretty sure I screamed, “Maybe I am a freaking runner”.

Then I broke my knee cap, had a year of PT, and then got pregnant. It’s been a slow road back to runner status and while I’m not breaking any records, I’m finding the best routine for me is incorporating running into my favorite outdoor activity, hiking. With hiking, much like running a race, you have a set goal- the top of the hill or mountain. You can see the top and so there is always a tangible goal.

Lately, I’ve combined my love for hiking with my love for running, pushing myself hard, always with that goal in mind. Athleta’s RunFree line offers support, breathability and compression (in all the right places- hello waist band that has a bit of elastic so it stays up!).

In LA, it’s pretty warm most of the year and I found the Run Free Tights to be weightless and comfortable even on a really hot day. I layered the Run Free Keyhole Tank with the Run Free sports bra for great coverage and support. While I picked all black and auberge, next time I think I’d order the atlas blue or candy apple just for a pop of color on the trails. Lastly, the perfect layer for those chilly fall mornings or beach side runs is the Run Free Jacket, which also doubles as a great travel day jacket.

My fitness journey has been a wild ride, but I know it’s so valuable not only for my physical wellbeing but also mental wellbeing. I feel so much better when I get out, work out, clear my head, and sweat. Plus, now I know I can take a shower whenever I want. 🙂