Thursday, June 20, 2013

New Beginnings...

Six years ago this month was when I realized I needed to make a change in my life as far as my weight was concerned and I took the next step and joined Weight Watchers. I weighed almost 200 pounds, was content with my job at Wake Christian Academy and thought it was my forever job. Little did I know how much could change in just a few years. You all know I lost a lot of weight and running became a big part of my life. I was no longer coaching at Wake at this time and began to have a desire to help others reach their fitness goals. I decided to become a certified running coach. I took advantage of an opportunity to coach at Capital RunWalk where my personal coach worked and began to realize more and more how important this was becoming to me...this desire to coach others about their fitness. Finally, a running store opened up at Myrtle Beach called Black Dog Running Company and I would go hang out and talk to the owner as much as I could. We soon became friends and last fall I mentioned to Daniel that I would love to volunteer at the store sometime and could he show me how to fit people for the proper running shoes (did you know that about 80% of people wear the wrong kind of shoe for their foot type...make sure you have good shoes!) and he said that was a possibility. I was very excited!! Meanwhile, I found an opportunity to help coach a group of beginner runners down at the beach training for their first 5K. It was great! After the first of the year, I mentioned again to Daniel about helping at the store and long story short, instead of just volunteering, I began working there a couple weekends a month this past April. He even pays me! I say that with a chuckle because it doesn't feel like work...it's my passion to help runners and I love working at the store. And yes, I did learn to fit people for the right kind of shoes! There will be some other opportunities at Black Dog in the near future as well that I'm excited about! We aren't moving to Myrtle Beach just yet and as long as I am in Raleigh, I will still coach at Capital RunWalk each year (we have 2 sessions a year) and I am also working towards my certification in personal/group training. I would love to teach some fitness classes/bootcamp style classes and maybe even get into crossfit (who woulda thought) at some point. I will be directing the Mission Outreach 5K this year too. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to follow my dream and passion and do not want to take it for granted. I put all that I have into my coaching and at the store to help others reach their goals. My family and friends have been so supportive of my dream and never once questioned me or said it was silly to quit a stable job like WCA after so many years. I don't want to look back in 20 years and think of what might have been. My husband, my best friend, my biggest supporter (who btw owns a shirt that says "running sucks" haha) has been there every step of the way. He may not always understand my "runner talk" but he knows that it makes me happy and so that makes him happy! Thank you rach aka Will for having my back!! So...I love Wake Christian Academy, I am sad to be leaving, 21 years is a long time and this was my first and only job out of college, but sometimes the right thing is a hard thing. It will always hold a special place in my heart! Thank you Mike Woods for understanding why I need to leave-we've worked together many years and I won't forget your friendship ever! Good thing we have access to social media so we can keep in touch! Thanks for taking time to read my ramblings...but remember, I am an LDR--Long Distance Runner--so endurance and long are 2 things I know about firsthand! Oh yeah, and there is that BQ...next marathon training cycle begins in October! After the 3:45 yet again!

3 comments:

Melissa said...

Dawn, I just want to tell you that you have been an inspiration. Your passion for motivating others to get fit is clear and produced a tangible result in me. I'm so happy for and proud of you for following your dreams! I'm wishing you all the best and hope to see you at Black Dog or at another running class soon!

Unknown said...

Very inspiring story and i support you 100% my friend. I joined crossfit 2 months ago and love it. Who knows maybe i will also get into the running?

Laurie said...

Dawn, I'm sure they hated to see you leave WCA but, we sure are happy to have you in Myrtle Beach. I look forward to benefiting from your expertise and love of running. Good luck with your new beginning.

~Laurie