Stand and Shine Magazine Winter 2014 | Seite 28

Brandi wasn’t always a runner She ran track in middle school for one year, but focused on dancing. Running just wasn’t her passion until she signed up for a dance aerobics class in high school that turned out to be mostly running. “Not gonna lie,” she said. “At first I didn’t love it. But as I improved as a runner, I found myself in the front of the pack feeling motivated to stay up there and become an even better runner.” When the class ended, she kept running. It was therapeu- But it did get easier. She’s worked years and had to get herself back into running shape several times. “Some of you reading this might think like I did in high school: 3 to 4 miles is seriously A LONG WAYS to run. 26.2 miles is unfathomable. Or maybe you have no desire to run a marathon at all, just want to LIKE to run! It takes time to get in the right mind set for distance running.” tic, enjoyable, and challenging. In college, she decided to run a marathon. Nothing could stop her, not even her parents’ advice to try a half marathon first. The day of the race, Brandi guessed what time she would be done so her parents could meet her. When she crossed the finish line, they were still in the car on the way. She had underestimated herself. “My parents have been my number one supporters in all that I have ever done, and from that day forward they never questioned my running crazes.” How to Begin Running wasn’t always easy for Brandi. 28