Sunday, November 24, 2013

Introduction for J.B.Running

Hello and welcome to everyone's new favorite trail running blog, The Trail Effect!
If you're interested in running, or any sort of outdoor adventure, you've come to the right place. We hope to bring you along on our running, hiking, backpacking (and anything else you can think of) adventures, and provide inspiration and ideas for adventures of your own!

The Trail Effect Blog's J.B.Running
Developing new Kayaking techniques in the Broken Islands
Let's start a few years back. I grew up in the relatively small city of Penticton, B.C. If you asked me to name three things I couldn't live without, I probably would have said sports, the great outdoors, and math. Not including my wonderful family of course, that's a given. And food and water I suppose, for those of you thinking too literally. Now before you think I'm too weird, let me explain.
1. I always have and always will play any sport, anytime. I am a team player, and I love the atmosphere and support of having a team around me.
2. Do not put me inside for long periods of time. It's like caging a rabid animal. I need the outdoors. I love the outdoors. For a long time, I thought it would be incredible to go back to when we had no houses and just live off the land.
3. Math. I love it. Science. I love it. And I'm not afraid to admit it.

It was a combination of these three things that led me to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Here I was able to do something I never thought possible, combine all the things I loved into one incredible career path, Geological Engineering. It was during my time at UBC, where I spent copious amount of time sitting with my nose in a book, that I discovered a new love. Running. There is no better way to escape thousands of seemingly useless mathematical equations  than to just get out and run. As far and as fast as you can.

If I am to be completely honest with you, I would have to share my ulterior motive for running.
Before I left for university I met my boyfriend of 5 years. He was training for his first Ironman at only 18 years old. Of course, with Penticton being the former home of Ironman Canada, it's hard to escape the crazy people. I can't quite begin to explain his level of insanity, but I'm sure as you start to read this blog you'll understand.

I started to run because he ran. I started to bike because he biked, and I started to do triathlons... well, you get the idea. He is incredibly inspiring, and without him I wouldn't be the runner I am today. I hope you can learn from this blog what I've learned from him. You can do it. You just have to believe you can.
When we first started to go running together, I would get frustrated. I guess you could say I'm a tad competitive, and although I wasn't the best at every sport I played, I always enjoyed winning.
It was difficult to run with someone who could run laps around me. I couldn't help but feel a little insecure. But it was never about how far, or how fast I could run. It was about getting outside and enjoying it, and just running and smiling and being free.
I can't tell you how many runs I gave up on, how many times I burst into tears because I was too slow, or too weak, or just not feeling well. If you told me that by 23 years old I would have run two marathons, I would have laughed in your face and said I'm not crazy.
But I will admit that right now. I am crazy. UltraChris taught be how to be crazy. And I'm sure there will be many more crazy adventures to come.

So I hope you'll start reading our blog, whether you're an experienced runner like Chris, or you're just discovering the great wide world of trail running, like me.
Join us as we take on the trails!

-J.B.Running
FYHP - Find your happy pace :)

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