Some inspiring words from a runner...

I wanted to share my experience from yesterday with you because you [Take the Lake] indirectly inspired it.  

I've participated in the walk the last four years.  After the second time, I wanted to run it the next year.  However, I was a bit too ambitious in my training and ended up with

 plantar fasciitis, which ended my running for a while.  

So, I walked again the next two years, but the idea of running still appealed to me.  Even more so now because my 40th birthday is in June and I wanted to do something physically significant to make myself feel better about being an old man.  

So, after some research trying to find a good running program online, I settled on the "Couch to 5K" plan.  (I didn't have any running experience...)  I completed it and, on January 1, I ran a 5K race in Myrtle Beach.  

I advanced to the "Couch to 10K" plan and, after a few more weeks, I ran my first 10K.  
At this point, I felt confident enough that I could train for a half-marathon.  So, I found a reputable training plan online and followed that for 12 weeks.  

Yesterday, I ran and completed my first half-marathon at the Oak Island Lighthouse Half-Marathon.  

I'm happy to say my feet haven't given me any trouble this time.  I'm going to continue running because my original goal was to run Take the Lake and I'm going to do that this year...

I still don't consider myself a runner.  I'm overweight... and my form isn't great.  But, I'm working on those things.  It was Take the Lake that inspired me to do something and I'm grateful for that.  I feel a lot better about getting older and my health, in general.  

I'm sure others have been inspired in a similar fashion.  So, thank you, and those who have helped you, for organizing this great event!  I'll see you there this year, hopefully as a participant AND a sponsor!

Doug Burrell