Featured Runner Friday: Meet Christina!

Every runner has a story... 

At Sexy Mother Runner, we believe sharing those stories is a great way to share the gift of running while helping to motivate others. Today's featured runner is Christina. She is on an amazing journey to health and fitness. I am truly in awe of her, everything she has accomplished, and her continued determination to achieve new goals.

Meet Christina

Hi my name is Christina Norris, I am 31 yo wife and mother of one. In late 2010 I finally had one of those “clicking” moments in life when you wake up and say this is not who I want to be anymore”... I had always been a little “chunky” and as I was knocking on the door of turning 30 I was going through personal struggles and having a child with special needs so I never made time for myself. I questioned who was I , what did I like to do, where did I see myself in 5/10/15 years??

Over the years I had reached my heaviest weight EVER.. I was miserable with myself and didn’t feel I deserved or could find the time to do anything for myself ; putting myself last like many mommy’s and wives do. I turned to food for comfort when I was stressed, upset or even happy, then would turn to feeling guilty and unhappy and eating more- forever on the yo yo diet rollercoaster many experience. Lose 10 gain 20 and so on.

One day I had an angel mentor come into my life who showed me the way to fitness. She encouraged me through positive reinforcement that I could do ANYTHING I wanted to do and that I WAS worth it. You see I personally believe nobody gets to be almost 250lbs because they are hungry alone; it is a mental battle within yourself. It's an internal struggle.

I then began Weight Watchers and slowly began more and more classes at the gym with her eventually having the motivation to do them on my own. The weight began coming off in waves and I would discover more and more confidence. I would always see those “runners” out rain or shine and think “you people are crazy”; never imagining I could even come close to achieving any kind of fitness or self discipline to achieve such a goal of running. I was always one of those people who joked “If I ever got chased I might as well lay down and give up because I won’t make it around the block”.

One day I woke up last year in late September 2011 and said to myself, “you really need to step out of your comfort zone and do something you never thought you could do” and running was the FIRST thing to pop in my head. I decided I wanted to do a 5K so I began using “Couch to 5K”.

Boy O Boy, even though at that point I considered myself to be in “decent” shape with my gym classes I was not prepared for what I experienced. I could barely run 90 seconds without feeling like I was gonna DIE.. my pulse would race at close to 200, but I NEVER gave up. Once you set your mind to something you must NEVER give up... your achievements are limitless.

Over the next few months I followed the routine all on my own; I knew no runners around the area. I then had a local ex-co worker see my posts about running on FB and said “Hey let me add you to this awesome group called the Sole Sisters.” I was immediately on board and excited. Seeing all their wonderful posts were amazing even though I hadn’t had the luxury of meeting any still at that point.

Then the BIG day came of the Jingle Bell Run- My first 5K was finally here. I was a COMPLETE nervous wreck! It was raining and even at that point in my training I hadn’t completely ran a full 3 miles without stopping to walk a few seconds to catch my breath. I felt like my goal was unachievable and was filled with doubt. I. Was. A. Mess!! It was raining as I lined up at the starting line. I was so blessed to have my son and husband waiting for me in the rain to cheer me on.

As the race began my adrenaline was pumping and we set off. As I ran I kept thinking “I CAN do this... I WILL do this.” I ran the full 3 miles finishing at 33:13 total. As I crossed that finish line all the amazing feelings good, bad, and in between rushed me at once-I lost it.

The euphoria of experiences I have been blessed to partake in over the last couple years are life altering. I re-experience this feeling almost every time I run now and even as I type this the emotions are humbling and still overwhelming. I have since ran a couple more 5K’s and even a 5K Mud Run; each time feeling so blessed to be able TO run! I now am looking forward to a 10K in September this year and to do St Jude next year and pushing myself further.

I have met some of the most amazing women and friends through this journey and the Sole Sisters and am so thankful for them all, each having their own story and journey to share and are such an inspiration. My son even says “Lets go run mommy.” I now get up most mornings at 4am to run a quick 2-3 miles (ha I still can’t believe it when I say that) and experience that “runners high” of happiness. I have embraced my new lifestyle and enjoy helping and encouraging others reach their potentials and goals whatever they may be.

I have officially currently LOST 75lbs of fat and so much more baggage of self doubt but have GAINED a wealth of happiness. This began as a journey of weight loss but has continued to be a path of self discovery of the person I could be and was meant to be…I cannot wait to see where else my path leads in the future…The possibilities are endless!

Christina's before and after picture.

Just this morning, I was informed that Christina has registered for her FIRST HALF MARATHON which will take place in October! I look forward to more runs with Christina and watching her continue  in her running journey. Good luck lady, YOU GOT THIS!!!   ~Bekah

Would you like to share your story with us? 

We would LOVE to hear it! 

Email us at sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com.