714 Participants are Running 13 in 2013

I’m Stacey Lynn
@WillRunForCoffee

Why 13 in 2013?  Because 3 years ago I was super morbidly obese and walking 13 steps might leave me winded.  150lbs later I am still morbidly obese, but headed in the right direction and running is my favorite thing.  I’m not fast and I still walk more than I run, but I consider myself a runner and I love races.  Between virtual races and in person ones I’ll do far more than 13 this year, but my goal is to do 13 half marathons.  This year I want to get into the half fanatics.  I know virtual races don’t count for that, but I have enough in person one planned to meet that goal. My goal for 2014 is to do a full marathon.  Joining the 13 in 13 challenge is good for me because I sometimes need the organization of a goal to work towards.

I am running 13 in 2013 because I’m not getting any younger, lol.  But seriously this is a great challenge to keep me motivated throughout the entire year.  I have races scheduled for Jan – May so far and 4 of them are half marathons.  13 in 2013 is going to help me keep my running schedule on track and my “bling” holder overflowing

Hi! My name is Katie.
From Icecream to Marathon

Last fall I ran my very first half marathon. Up until then, I had only run 5k’s, and never thought I could do any more than that, but I wanted to try. I started following a training plan, and finished my first half in 2:43. I loved it so much that I signed up for another half 5 weeks later! This time I finished with an 18 minute PR!

When I heard about the 13 in 13, I knew this was exactly what I needed to keep moving forward, although nothing was going to stop me now, I knew having that extra motivation would help. I’ve decided to run 13 half marathons this year. This is something that at one time I thought was impossible for me, but I’ve now learned if you just get out there and do it- you are capable of doing anything!

Michelle Hawthorne
@shelsmile

I am 41 years old and have never run a 5K in my life, but the last few years kept saying that I wanted to.  I had my 4th baby in December 2011. I am very active and even did the Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure in Cleveland while 5 months pregnant.  I remained active up until the last trimester of my pregnancy when I got a very large kidney stone that they could do nothing about until after I had the baby. It took 2 surgeries and 3 months before I was feeling normal again and that I could actually get back to exercising.  I am in fairly good shape and am a very healthy eater, but really wanted to do something to get rid of the belly that being pregnant does to you.  I have ran in the past and picked it up again this past summer 2012. Shortly after that I incorporate weight training at a gym as well.  I am happy to say that I go to the gym 3 days per week (4 on a really good week) and feel I am in the best shape of my life.  That being said I still have this little belly I need to lose.  When a friend referred me to your site I thought what better way than to do more cardio to help that along.  I am so excited to start on this journey.  I will need to do a lot of virtual races so I can fit them into my ever hectic schedule of my full time job, my husband that works 12 hour days and every other weekend, kids homework, soccer and swim schedules as well as a having a ever so active 1 year old, but I am ready and up for the challenge. We are a very active family and I hope that this shows my kids that being active and eating healthy is a lifelong choice and will pay off over and over.  I also want them to know that as a Mommy I need time to myself and this enables me to do that. As they get older I want them  to know that they should always make themselves a priority.  Accomplishing one 5k was going to be a goal of mine and by committing to 13 of them in one year I will feel so accomplished.  My family is the number one priority in my life and I am making sure that I take the time to keep myself healthy and active so I can be an ever constant positive motivation in their lives.

Tami Grandi
Journey To A Healthy Life 

I recently began running (as in about a year ago for a few months and then seriously 6 months ago).  I run to control my stress level, to experience freedom, for the exercise/controlling/losing weight, and to prove to a lot of people that they were wrong.  Due to previous health issues I had people tell me that I couldn’t run and that I should never run.  Well, to tell me I shouldn’t do something is a challenge for me so, I strengthened by lower back and when it was strong enough began to push myself to do things that I have never done before- such as run 5K’s.  I have signed up for a half marathon in April and am using this 13 in 2013 to challenge myself- never would I have thought a year ago I would be where I am now!

13 in 2013 Sponsor Reveal

For a complete list of sponsors check out 13 in 2013 Sponsors.

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Tagged: #FitFluential, 13 in 2013, Fit Approach, Girls Gone Sporty, goals, guest post, inspiration, running, Sweat Pink