Up to 2004, I led a pretty sedentary lifestyle.  I worked all day behind a computer, and didn’t move much outside of the office.

I remember friends talking about going running, and I was sure that wasn’t for me. Nope. Never.

I wasn’t an athletic child at all. I tried to join a track team with a friend when we were about 10, but was too slow to make the team. I played tennis for one season in seventh or eighth grade, but that didn’t go anywhere.

It wasn’t surprising that I had turned into a non-active adult.

Then one day in January 2004, some of my co-workers started putting together a team for a corporate 8K. No thanks, I’m not a runner…

But could I be?

I decided I wanted to try. I never had a weight problem, but I was sure my metabolism would be slowing down. I was approaching 30 at the time and figured it was about time to start exercising. Not just to maintain my weight as I got older, but for my health as well.

I bought a cheap treadmill, found an online training plan, and started running. And if you’ve ever been here before (or just peek around a little), you can see it’s become a major part of my life.

I’ve run all race distances from one mile to marathons, and added sprint triathlons to the mix in 2008.  For 2011 I’ve already lined up quite a few races, including a couple half marathons and another full marathon. I’ll be attempting my first adventure race this year, the Warrior Dash! Kind of scary, but I’m excited!

I run three or four times a week,  do yoga twice a week, and try to strength train three or four times a week. (Clearly, I double up!) During triathlon training, I add swimming and biking. It’s been a major transformation, and I’ve never been happier. Or healthier!

This trip through my fitness past was prompted by fitness-apparel company 4all’s search for bloggers to be brand ambassadors.  I think I’d be a great addition to the Team 4all roster!

I love to help and encourage new runners and athletes — I still remember what it was like to run/walk my first steps on the treadmill.  Online, I share tips and advice with Twitter and blog friends. In person, I work with my local running club as a mentor in their 10K training class each fall.

And I love to dress cute.

Yes, I think I’d be a good fit with Team 4all.

Don’t you think this tennis dress could also work as a running dress?

I decided last-minute that I wanted to sign up for a duathlon class. I worked with the coach this summer for a triathlon class, and decided it would be good to start biking again. I also like the Sunday afternoon time slot.

The first class was this afternoon, and we hit the indoor track. The rec center track is short — 200 meters / 8 laps to a mile.  I worried that it might get tedious, but I really enjoyed our workout. We did about a two-mile warm up, and then did a few laps of stride drills.  After that, it was time for some half-mile repeats.

I’d only ever worked with 400s, never 800s, and I haven’t done speed work since the summer, so I wasn’t sure what I had in me. I was happy with the result!

1. 3:45
2. 3:48*
3. 3:45
4. 3:42

* On our second 800, our coaches lost count and we ran an extra lap. Our last lap was faster than the middle two … so technically that 800 wasn’t really slower than the rest if we replace the slowest lap!

My 800s were about a 7:30 pace. That’s pretty fast for me, but I felt good.  I might have been able to keep it up for a few more!

No biking today, but I’m sure we’ll be hitting the spin bikes next week. I’m excited — I haven’t tried spinning yet. So many people love it!

On Sunday, I ran my final “race” of 2010, the Operation Jack satellite run.

Good thing it wasn’t really a race, as I was definitely taking it slow that day. It had started snowing that afternoon and was starting to stick, so I had to be careful. There were some slippery spots out there!

It was also pretty chilly, a few degrees below freezing. I bundled up, but was glad I started my run off with a half-mile loop through my neighborhood. My winter hat was doing nothing to keep the snow out of my eyes, and my heavy-duty weatherproof running jacket was a bit too warm for even that cold day. I ran back to my house for a wardrobe change.

Back out again in a lighter jacket, fleece band over my ears and brimmed hat, I was ready to finish my run.

It was pretty fun being out there, and I wasn’t the only crazy runner braving the weather. I saw lots of running-shoe prints in the snow! While it was nice and peaceful, I also ready to be done. No extra distance for me that day!

My final run of 2010 came on New Year’s Eve. We got out of work early so I was home at 3:30, and it was pretty nice out — in the upper 40s.  I’d be crazy not to run!

I ran a 5K loop through my neighborhood.  It wasn’t even close to my fastest 5K, but I was happy to have run negative splits. I felt great sneaking one last run in for the year!

In 2010, I finished two full marathons, four half marathons, a marathon relay,  metric marathon and a sprint triathlon. My race calendar also included two 10Ks, two 10-milers, four 5Ks, a 15K, an 8K and a one-mile track race.

My total mileage for 2010 was 967.25 miles. So close! I would have loved to have hit 1,000 miles, but am glad I listened to my body and took rest days as needed.

Maybe I can get there in 2011, but once again I won’t push too hard to  hit that number. I’ll just see where my training and racing takes me!

My last three runs have been races.

And actually, four of my last six runs have been races.

It’s not like I’ve been racing all that much, either. I just haven’t been running!

But I’m OK with that. I’ve had choir rehearsals or performances for most of the month, and I was happy to give myself a break. It was good to have a few low-mileage weeks for my foot — by the way, the doctor guessed was either metatarsal inflammation or a neuroma … pretty much what Dr. Google told me.  All she suggested was to get new orthotics, which I planned on doing anyway.

I also had developed what I’m guessing was shin-splint pain shortly after my marathon. I think that’s gone now, so the rest has helped!

As for the races:

Nov 25: Camp Letts Turkey Chase 10K
This race is a Thanksgiving-morning tradition. It almost always rains, or has rained and is muddy. The course goes over gravel roads, trails, fields and a little asphalt. I didn’t expect much, and was happy to come in just under an hour.

Dec 5: Las Vegas Rock n Roll Half Marathon
This was my first trip to Vegas, and I was excited to run up and down the strip! I was looking forward to the flat course, too, wondering if this would be my time to beat two hours. But early on, I knew it wasn’t my day. I felt like I was struggling to pick up my pace — maybe it was a little too flat? Or maybe I was still a little tired from the marathon, walking all over Vegas,  and just not ready for a long, speedy run yet. (It’s not like I’ve been doing any speed training!) My 2:05:20 finish is good enough to be my third-fastest half marathon.

Dec 12: Annapolis Striders Anniversary Run 15K
This was the last run in this year’s championship series, a double loop in a park. It was rainy, but fortunately not too cold, though I was a little overdressed. I felt like I was struggling again, and started slowing down after only three miles. But it turns out I was only about two minutes slower than last year.

Dec 18: Celtic Solstice Five Miler
This race in Baltimore is another one we do every year. It’s usually really cold, but it’s a nice course and the premiums are always fantastic. It seemed more crowded this year, but maybe we just let ourselves start too far back in the pack. I couldn’t move too fast for the first mile (it took over 11 minutes!), but managed to pick up speed each mile (well, except for mile three where I figured I might as well stop for water since this wouldn’t be a PR race, anyway!). I ended up finishing in 49:25. Sure I can run much faster, but I was happy to come in under 50!

I’m going to be — gasp — going for a run tomorrow after work. My first weekday run in weeks! While the holidays might still mess up my schedule a little bit, I’m anxious to get back out there!