Christina Young, 39
Medical transcriptionist for SwedishAmerican Hospital

I've been running for well let’s see now, since May of 2008!

I started running for many reasons. I had been using the treadmill and
other equipment since the start of the year, 2008, and was starting to get
"bored". I had been reading about a marathon, I don’t remember which
one, may have been Chicago, but that is when I decided that "I wanted to
run a marathon". Ha! So, off I went, volunteered for the Rockford marathon
and started running. There may or may not be a marathon in my future.
(smile)

I also wanted to meet new people and learn more about running, so I
joined the Road Crew at the Y.

If I could no longer run, I would ride the bicycle!

My favorite run is on a trail in the woods by water.

I like to run with music because it motivates me but I also love running in
silence.

Something most people don't know about me is that I weighed 172
pounds in November of 2007. I changed my diet drastically to an
almost vegetarian one (I do eat eggs, fish, and yogurt) and cut out the
chips, cookies, and junk food. I was tired of feeling tired and not
feeling positive about myself. I wanted and needed change!

My favorite thing to do after a hard workout is shower, eat and sit on the
couch and relax!

When I'm not running I like to write fiction and poetry and read. What
inspires my writing? Life and my moods. :)

I am inspired by so many things! Positive people that love life. Helping other people, even if it’s only with a smile. Good food, nature and it’s
beauty, good books, good writing.......... life!

The local runner I most admire, Tonya Thayer! She is dedicated. Driven. Physically fit. Knowledgeable. She inspires me with her motivation and
has been teaching me how to be my best physically for running through her life-long experiences and weekly workout schedules. I appreciate her
greatly! She may have even inspired me to try a triathlon next year! Go Tonya!

Every runner that I have met through the Road Crew on Tuesday nights and at the races have been fabulously supportive. (thanks Jim and Jim and Ed
especially!!) This experience is one of the greatest journeys of my life (and to think I have only been a member for 4 months!). Everyone of you have
inspired me to keep moving and to reach for the best of my abilities. Thank you!

To push myself on a run I have to stay positive or else I tend to walk more than I run :) I use self affirmations, celebrate life and move my mind back on the moment.

My greatest running accomplishment is running a second 5K and beating my first 5K time by a tad over 4 minutes! Okay, and that one run on the trails in
the mud.....you know the one! wow.

My next goal is learning how to run in the winter!

My advice to other runners is never never never give up!! You may have bad days, bad weeks, but get up and go again, never ever give up!!! Keep your
dreams alive and keep pushing toward that goal.

I plan to run until the ol’ feet and legs tell me I can’t.