Over the Next Hill Fitness
Welcome! We all know, as we age, it’s harder to put ourselves first and get in enough fitness, flexibility, and nutrition. Maybe you’re new to formatted exercise, maybe we need to push to the next level or set some goals. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to run a 5K, a marathon, or even an ULTRA marathon. This podcast is designed to get you moving and headed towards those goals. You’ll have opportunities for general coaching during each episode or you may contact me for personal coaching afterward. Are you ready to get over this next hill in life? Let’s get started.
Over the Next Hill Fitness
S3 Ep 19 Finding Joy in Every Mile: Patricia Gonzalez's Running Journey to Self-Discovery
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What happens when you decide to take up running at 50 years old? Patricia Gonzalez never thought she'd live long enough to see her half-century birthday, but when she did, she made a remarkable decision that would transform her relationship with her body and herself.
Against the backdrop of a divorce and having recently quit smoking, Patricia laced up her running shoes for the first time. "I wanted to be able to test my body and make it my friend," she shares with refreshing candor. What began with tentative miles along San Francisco's Embarcadero blossomed into a passionate pursuit that would eventually lead her to marathon finish lines.
The conversation explores how finding a supportive running community accelerated Patricia's growth as a runner. "Who else are you going to talk to endlessly about running shoes or running belts and hydration?" she laughs, capturing the unique camaraderie that develops among runners. Her methodical approach to training—posting plans and checking off completed runs—showcases how structure can build confidence in new runners.
Patricia's story resonates particularly with late-starters and those using physical activity in recovery. As someone in long-term recovery from alcoholism and addiction, she describes how running helped transform her perception of her body from "something that was shameful" to a trusted ally. This profound shift illustrates how movement can heal more than muscles.
From the nervous energy of race morning corrals to the thrill of seeing elite runners on out-and-back courses, Patricia captures the small joys that keep runners coming back. Her honesty about the mental challenges—"I used to tell myself I'm only going to run if I feel good"—provides wisdom for runners at any level.
Whether you're contemplating your first 5K or training for your tenth marathon, Patricia's parting advice rings true: "Sometimes it's not always going to be great, but it's doable. Just get up and go out there and let yourself run."
Ready to start your own running journey? Follow the podcast on social media @CoffeeCrewCoaching or email Carla directly to share your story!
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Welcome to Over the Next Hill
Speaker 1Hello and welcome back to Over the Next Tail Fitness Podcast. I'm Carla Coffey, your coach and host for today's program. If you need a running coach or a fitness coach, please look me up. You can reach out to me in the show notes. But you do have to send me information, like you have to send me your phone number or your email through that little button. Send me your phone number or your email through that little button, or you can email me, carla, at CoffeeCrewCoachingcom, and I'd be happy to talk with you and see what your goals are and see if I can help you. I might be a coach for you, but then again I might not. You might hate my guts, so, but we don't know if we don't try.
Speaker 1Podcast is also brought to you by Hydra Patch. There are some discounts in the show notes for that. There's some other discounts in there for some other products like Jam Bar and Runway and things like that. You also can buy me a cup of coffee. There's a link for that if you're interested in supporting the show in that way. I always appreciate that, supporting the show in that way. I always appreciate that. But the number one thing that you can do for me is to follow, rate and share the program. If you could just give me five stars, I think there should be a spot in there where you can make a comment if you want to. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, you can just say, like I like chocolate and then hit five stars. It doesn't matter, it's not, you know, to make me feel good, but it does help me climb up the charts a little bit. So I appreciate that when you do that.
Patricia's Running Journey Begins
Speaker 1Today we're going to be talking to Patricia Gonzalez. We had a really nice chat, patricia and I. She lives in California and sounds like she's probably got pretty perfect running weather a lot, so be jealous of that. And yeah, we'll look forward to hearing her story. Hi Patricia, welcome to the show. Hi Carla, thanks for having me. Absolutely, I'm excited to hear your run story. So let's get started. So when, and let's say why did you start running?
Speaker 2I started running actually kind of late in life. You know, I am an older runner, so it was probably around 12, 13 years ago that I started running. And I started running because I was coming up to a milestone birthday of 50 years old. That was my milestone and I was going through a divorce as well, and it was just that I wanted to be able to do something that was just for me. So that's kind of why and when.
Speaker 1You chose running. You know a lot of people might choose travel or crochet, so why running?
Speaker 2Because I was just. I think you know I was it. It's gonna sound a little strange but having you know turned 50, I just never thought I was gonna live that long. You know both of my yeah, my family kind of you know. I just really wanted to be able to test my body and, um, also, I quit smoking too. That was another big thing that I did.
Speaker 2I quit smoking, smoking cigarettes, yeah. So that was all part of me just being able to kind of like test my body and to see and to kind of make it my friend almost.
Speaker 1Very cool. So did you start out like, okay, I have this, I saw a 5K race and I want to do that, or what was, was what, like? What motivated you to get out there?
Speaker 2Yeah, that's a good question. Yeah, well, I was working in San Francisco, so I was able to run down the Embarcadero, which is, you know, excellent for running, and we have a full gym, so I was able to put on my running clothes, run and then take a shower and be back at my desk. So it was great, wow. And I just basically started, you know, just slowly. I think I did a mile or maybe two miles the very first, and then I actually did sign up for my first 5k not too long after that.
Speaker 1Okay, and then you were addicted.
Speaker 2Yeah, pretty much. It was just like you know, I love the races, you know, and I actually started doing you know, 5ks. And then I found a running group, which I really recommend to anybody. It was fantastic. You know the group, who else are you going to talk to endlessly about? You know running shoes or running belts and hydration and all that stuff. So I found that community and I really enjoyed it.
Speaker 1Oh, that's cool. Yeah, Now do you still run with that same group?
Speaker 2I don't because I moved. I moved from. Yeah, I moved from that area to another area, but, just like my experience moving to a new area, which has been around four years now, so it's not so new I just plugged in. You know, I looked on Facebook groups, I looked to see, you know, where the meetups were happening, where the running groups were happening. I joined a gym and they actually do run as well together. So you know just, and I wasn't so timid about doing that, I had more confidence and more experience as a runner that I knew that I could do that.
Speaker 1Very cool. Yeah, you can run anywhere right. Do that. Very cool, yeah, you can run anywhere right. Excuse me, I said yeah, you can run anywhere.
From 5K to Marathon Experience
Speaker 2Yes, yes, I used to always say it's you just need a good bra and good running shoes. You know, and basically you know you're kind of off.
Speaker 1Yeah, for sure. Yeah, those two key things for women for sure. Yes, yes. So what distances have you run?
Speaker 2I actually did my first marathon and I did, and that was actually using a walk-run method which, you know, I felt a little bit, you know, oh, you know, does it really count? But then I, you know, got a lot of support and you know community with people that do that as well. And I ran with the pace group. I've always, I always appreciate the races when they have the pace groups. So I did my first marathon two years ago and I'm actually thinking about doing another one, and I've done like a lot of halves, like maybe, like you know, 30 or something like that, and I've done 10 Ks.
Speaker 2And, of course, you know the fun runs. You know, like, um, santa runs or turkey trots, those types of things. So anytime that, um, you know there's something out there, um, you know, I try to do it. I mean, and those are the organized runs Basically, you know, during pandemic and when everything was shut down, I was doing more solo runs, and so now I actually have that experience where I appreciate doing that as well, you know I'll get out there and as long as I, you know, I have my stuff, I have my you know equipment and all that and I'll go out and, do you know 10 miles or something when I'm you know equipment and all that and I'll go out. And do you know 10 miles or something when I'm you know, feeling good.
Speaker 1Yeah, so would you say then that the half is your favorite distance?
Speaker 2I would say yes, because it's actually manageable. I mean training takes a lot of time. It does. I mean it's the fueling, it's the rest, it's the runs. And I get I'm pretty methodical with my training. You know, like I do use like a training plan and I post it and I check off each day when I run, you know, because I think just the being able to see that, you know, gives me it's like okay, I'm prepared. Because I remember the first half marathon I ever did and I was running with the training group and we had trained like with different pace groups and everything. It was fantastic. And I remember one of the trainers during the race saying trust your training, trust your training. And so I really believe that, you know, because it's like trust myself, you know I can do it, type of thing. So I would say that the half is my yeah, the best one that I like to do, because the marathon it just takes a lot of time.
Speaker 1First time you know they're like wow, there was a lot of training that went into that. Yes, yes, yeah, a lot of extra miles. So of your, the races you did, whether they're 5Ks or marathons or whatever, what would you say is your favorite race, Like just because of the location, or maybe the swag?
Speaker 2Well, I, always like, you know, like I call them my destination races, which are all in California really. But I would I'd say I like Monterey. I've done the Monterey half twice and I really like it. It's pretty, it's beautiful, I mean. But actually, you know, I like I don't really have I mean I like them all because they're all different.
Speaker 2I would say the one thing that I really like about it is the beginning of the race, and I was thinking about this the other day because I saw somebody post something, you know, in the beginning, when you're all in your corrals and you know you're kind of you know looking around and you're kind of jiggling around and checking your shoes and checking this and checking that.
Speaker 2I mean it's just like it's very exciting and plus, just being around all those people, I think you know I really feed off of that and I'm a pack bottom of the. You know what do they call it Back of the pack runner. You know I'm not fast, but you know I definitely enjoy that. And also I enjoy the races where it's kind of like out and back, where I can see like the elite people coming back. Oh yeah, I like that because I think I'm actually in the same race that that they are, you know, like seeing the first woman when she comes through, you know. So I just kind of, like you know that experience, the beginning of the race and, of course, just being with all the other people as well.
Speaker 1Yeah, I know I get that nervous energy right in the beginning too. Like you said, you're checking your shoes and oh, did I do this and did I you know?
Speaker 2Do I have to go to the bathroom? No, you just went For the thousandth time.
Speaker 1Yeah, for sure. But yeah, I agree, when there's those out and backs and you see those people, the, you know the person that's going to win the race, I am just cheering so excited for them. I feel like I'm as happy for them as they are you know yeah.
Race Highlights and Community
Speaker 1I mean, I will never be that person, but I am so excited for them. I'm always just cheering, and I do like it too, when you're on one of those out and backs and maybe you're coming down the hill and they're coming up and I'm just like, yes, work that hill, get that hill. You know, I'm always so excited for them that I'm going to be there in a minute or maybe an hour, but I'm still going to be there, I agree, yeah, so fun. Um, so, of your races, is there one that you are like man, I'm never running that race again, because, whether it was hard or the road was rotten, cause I've run on some that I'm like, oh I, I, if I don't break my ankle by the end of this. You know cause I mostly do road races, but some of them are so bad I felt like it might've been a trail.
Speaker 2I know, I know I mostly do, I do road races too, um, but I did do this one. It was right after pandemic, um, and when it was just barely starting to open up again, and I signed up for a race and it was a half marathon and maybe I didn't look at the description too closely or I was just a little bit excited because it was um trail and I was literally the last person coming in, which was fine. But the thing is, is that, um, you know it was, there was definitely places. I mean, you're not running at all, you're walking. You know you're kind of just pulling yourself up there. But yeah, I mean that one. I think it's just because I didn't really I wasn't ready, you know, I mean I have done some trail races, not actual races, but, you know, gone out there with the group and I like that. It's just it's a completely different rhythm. I mean I'd like to do it a little bit more, but where I live right now we don't it's not that accessible as where I lived previously.
Speaker 1So yeah, trail, trail racing is hard. I just did a a hundred miler a few weeks ago and it's the hardest thing I've ever done, you know. I mean honest. It was, and I thought I would never run again afterwards because it was hard, it was.
Speaker 2I know that. That time when you think, when you realize you know um For me, I always kind of laugh at myself, because I remember one time I was running and I thought to myself I'm all alone out here, you know, and I wasn't alone. But you know, I felt that way, you know that moment where it's like nobody cares, I could just you know.
Speaker 1Well, that's hard on a trail because there's no spectators, right, right, yeah, you got no energy coming from anybody, you know, unless somebody does happen to pass me. And then I'm like, oh yeah, go bye. Yeah yeah, it's yeah, trail races are hard indeed. Oh yes.
Speaker 2And I actually also went on a um, which I really enjoyed and maybe one year I'll do it again. But I went on a running retreat like around four years ago or maybe it was a little bit longer than that, and it was all women, a running retreat and it was great. I mean talk about the sense of community and being able to do what you love and also being able to have the downtime, the relaxation time, the time to get to, you know, to meet women and everything. I really enjoyed that, so that may be something I'll do again, that sounds amazing.
Speaker 1Wow, Was it. Are you still in California? I am yeah. Was it in California that you did it?
Speaker 2It actually was in Arizona. Oh, okay, yeah, it was in Arizona so I flew out there. It was kind of like you know, definitely like my, one of my big trips.
Speaker 1Yeah, wow, how many days was it.
Speaker 2It was four days I believe, and we ran every day, and then we also had what was also in. There was, of course, you know, like massage, if you wanted to do that, and also technique running techniques and you know being able to, you know roll, you know like just running stuff, and also just kind of spa stuff as well.
Speaker 1Cool. Did they do a gait analysis? By any chance, you know?
Speaker 2no, they did not. I have had a gait analysis when I have gone for shoe fitting. Oh, wow, yeah, yeah, that's one of the things that I mean. I have had a gait analysis when I have gone for shoe fitting, oh, wow, yeah, yeah, that's one of the things that I mean. I have the running store that I go to. You know I'm pretty loyal to this one place because I kind of feel like you know, when you start, when they kind of start knowing you, I don't even know if they know me. I mean I know them Right, right, yeah, even know if they know me, I mean I know them Right, right, yeah. But it is nice to be able to go there and kind of feel you know like you know, like you belong because you do For sure?
Speaker 1Yeah, I would like to get a gait analysis. I'm afraid what they'd tell me, but I think it'd be good to know what I need to fix, because you know clearly Well, it sounds like you're doing okay.
Speaker 2if you did like your, what was it? A hundred miles yeah?
Speaker 1Well, you know, that's just a lot of time. Doesn't mean I'm running like with any kind of good form or anything but yeah.
Speaker 2No, I hear you.
Speaker 1Yeah, so now do you have family that run at?
Speaker 2all you know, I don't, I don't. I mean, my husband is my number one fan and so when I go on my, he always goes with me to races.
Speaker 2And then when I run. He has an e-bike and he'll be. You know he carries extra water for me and everything like that, and so he definitely is always. You know, he's very supportive and when I did my very first half marathon, my son and my daughter were both there at different points to cheer me on, because they're adults. My son was riding his bike and then my daughter would show up on one corner and then the other corner and they're very proud of their mama. In fact, I did run with my son. I have run with him a handful of times because, you know, he's a casual runner.
Speaker 1Very cool. Oh yeah, they're so proud. That's great.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1So you said you did a marathon two years ago. Was that there in California as well? It was, and where's your next one going to be?
Speaker 2It's probably going to be in California as well, the same race. Yes, the same race, okay yeah.
Speaker 1So you're thinking you want to try to get a better time, or what are your goals for this next one?
Training Methods and Mental Approach
Speaker 2I think my goals would be to kind of just. I want to try just to run consistently. I want to be able to just perhaps run the whole thing. One of the things that I struggle but not that's a challenge for me is being able to um, um, keep my pace, you know, to trust my body and to keep the pace. That I know. Um, I definitely know that it works out better on my long runs when I um run slower and then if I do have enough, you know, you know fuel in the tank to, you know to take off, then you know when, I know it's when I've got four or five miles, you know, left. But I think that sometimes, you know, I can get a little, a little bit off on that. So my goal, if I do get a chance, because it's all sold out right now I'm waiting to see when the bib transfer period opens to see if I can get into it. So my goal would be to perhaps run a lot more of it instead of the run walk.
Speaker 1Gotcha, is it a pretty big race that it sold out? It is, it is, it's huge, very cool. What race is it? What, excuse me, what's?
Speaker 2the name of the race? Oh, CIM, the California International Marathon. Wow.
Speaker 1Okay, yeah, I've heard of that. The CIM, I've heard of that Very cool.
Speaker 2Yeah, it's in Sacramento, it's a Boston qualifier, it's a big deal.
Speaker 1Yeah, sounds like it. Now how far is that for you? Will you have to fly?
Speaker 2No, no, it's not that far at all, it's a couple of hours. But the thing is it starts really early and so we actually do this. Last time that I did it, the time I've done it, we got a hotel motel and stayed there, and then I was able just to take the shuttle to the starting point, and then my husband was able to join me later on at the you know what I'm saying. He was able to get his way around. So, because the thing is, is that with the race that large I mean it's you know, you're in the dark and it's like you know that whole thing.
Speaker 1Yeah, yeah, wow. So I had my lawn run today with some friends and one of my friends has two little boys I think they're two and four and on some of the flat spots she let him out of the stroller and the four-year-old was running. And playing tag with him while you're running after 14 miles was so invigorating because he's giggling, and so I recommend that for everybody is find a four year old to play tag with during your long run. It kind of breaks up the monotony a little bit.
Speaker 2So yeah, that's, that's my pro tip.
Speaker 2Yeah, the long runs aren't getting so they're not so bad for me now, because I started cross training, because for a long time I was, you know, just running and then now that I retired I retired around a year ago I have a lot of flexibility in my schedule, obviously. Well, I've packed it in. But so I joined a bootcamp, I do bootcamp three days a week. I joined a bootcamp, I do bootcamp three days a week, and I really feel like it's gotten me, um, that I feel I feel stronger now with my running, and I also, of course, the whole mental thing. Um, you know, I re because sometimes I used to uh tell myself I'm only going to run if I feel good. Well, I'm not going to feel good, good, well.
Speaker 1I'm not going to feel good. Yeah, yeah, me too.
Speaker 2I'm only going to run when you know everything's all the planets align. Yeah, that's one of the things that's so surprising about running is because sometimes I go out and I think it's going to be a not good run and I kick butt and it could be the opposite could be true. So it's always kind of like that you know what's it going to be like today, you know. So that's that's kind of like I kind of like that because I don't know. It's just um, being able to know that, but and then also accept it and then still go for your next run, because that's not always going to be great all the time For sure.
Speaker 1Yeah, you know there's times when I feel like, oh, I just don't want to do this and I'm like, but go do a mile and if you feel terrible, call it a day and come home. You know, and I have only one time ever ran out a mile and turned around and walked home. Yeah, you know one time and the whole, and that was many, many years ago. And you know, and usually what happens is you get out there and you get going and pretty soon the miles are ticked by and you're almost done. So, yeah, so I know what you mean. It's I mean, if you waited until all the planets aligned and you felt, fantastic, we would never get out there. But yeah, sometimes we do. You just got to get out there and see what happens.
Speaker 2I agree. I agree. One time I ran, I did a long run and I had to call a lift to pick me up.
Speaker 1Yeah, I did that when I was injured before I injured myself while.
Speaker 2I was out on a run. It was the right of shame, no.
Speaker 1He was just like, yeah, I'm over this, but you know, at least you had your phone, yeah, yeah, and the app. Yeah, there you go, yeah, when I did, I was in Pennsylvania and I'm like, oh man, my knee, just I don't know what happened and I'm like I can't continue. I could tell that it was just I shouldn't run on it, and so I called an Uber and all I did was apologize the whole way back. I'm so sorry if I smell. I'm so sorry if I smell. So, yeah, but it turned out okay.
Recovery, Self-Discovery, and Motivation
Speaker 1I took a couple of weeks off and everything was fine. But, yeah, I've only had to do that once. I have called my husband before um and have and had to have him come and get me for, like, I felt like maybe I pulled a quad muscle or something you know, and that was okay. Yeah, yeah, I listened to your body, right, yep, yep, yeah, you got to listen to your body, right, yep, yep, yeah. So how hard was it for you when you first started running to learn how to fuel and when to hydrate and all that? What was that like for you, for the learning process?
Speaker 2Well, I actually had a lot of support because I joined the running group pretty much right away, you know, because I joined the running group pretty much right away, you know. And also, you know I did some research, just like a lot of people when they're new at something. I probably overloaded on information and you know. So it wasn't hard and I feel like I'm still, you know, learning. I mean, it's never stops, because right now I think it's more of the mental stuff, and then it's also the realization that I'm, I am slower from when I first started, um, and whether it's I think it's because I'm older, you know, I'm not really sure, but um, I actually um, I'm okay with that, you know, I'm okay with that. So, as far as just you know, learning how to like hydrate and all the equipment you know different equipments or different things that might work I just kind of, you know, did some research and I talked to a lot of my other friends that were running as well.
Speaker 1And do you switch it up? Quite a bit Like you're using this particular hydration now and then I'm going to switch it off.
Speaker 2You know I don't I pretty much stick with one. I did try, I mean, you know, you know I've I've tried like different types of liquid besides just water, you know, but pretty much I kind of just stick with what it is that you know has worked. I have started like making sure that I hydrate more and feel more, not just wait until I think that I need to. So I think that, you know, I just kind of like see how, yeah, I'm open to, I'm open to, um, to trying different things, but I also know what's worked for me as well.
Speaker 1Yeah, yep, I know, for a while I, you know, had my standards and then had a bad run and I'm like, okay, I need to switch this up. And I cause I used to do a lot of goo and Gatorade right in the beginning and I had what I always called goo belly, where my stomach would be like extended and just so bloated, and so I said, okay, what else is out there? And I've since switched. Probably I've tried probably almost everything on the market, you know, just to try it, and some stuff I like and some I don't, and sometimes I mismatch, like today I think I was drinking scratch but I took a Precision Fuel 2 that are carbs and I had that halfway through my 16 miler today and two different brands but they work for me. And I like stuff that isn't like in your face sweet or like in your face has a lot of taste of whatever. I like it to not have too much taste sometimes, you know, because you just get tired of that, right?
Speaker 2No, I agree.
Speaker 1I just try anything. For as long as I can keep it down, I'll give it a try.
Speaker 2Yeah, I'm a goo girl, you know, and I've the um the rock taint. I think that's what it's called like the yeah, and so that's the ones I'm trying now. Um, and you know I mean, sometimes it's like you know what?
Speaker 2yes, but you know, it's as long as I've got water, you know, to chase it down with and everything I'm, I'm fine. And then I have tried the wafers and you know, before race it's basically just. You know, I mean, when I run early I don't even have anything to eat, you know. But you know I have actually definitely found out what not to eat, you know.
Speaker 1Yeah, yeah, have you tried that? I think it's fairly new the Morton's no M-A-U-R-T-E-N Morton.
Speaker 2And is it like a goo type, like a gel?
Speaker 1Yeah, and I think they have a hydration as well. I tried those because they kind of got big at some races and I don't know what people see and maybe I mean, if you can get it down, it has the perfect amount of electrolytes and stuff. I think it's really, I guess, supposed to be good for sensitive stomachs and stuff which.
Speaker 2I don't have.
Speaker 1But I couldn't take the taste, you know, and even though they have a flavor that is supposed to be like no taste or whatever. Oh yeah, couldn't do it. But you know, I try, I try, I will try just about anything, just to see, you know, maybe this is the one you know.
Speaker 2Yeah, no.
Speaker 1Throw it in my bag of goodies.
Speaker 2And then when you do look at the science of it and you do for me, I realize, yeah, I mean I am, I do need it. You know I need it. So that's, we know it is essential and it's important. So then it's like okay, well, let's see what I can do, you know, yeah, how?
Speaker 1um so your strength training now and you weren't before, I was not before. Yeah, how long have you been doing the cross training and strength training?
Speaker 2I think I've been doing it since I retired, so it's been around a year and a half Um. So I alternate um. You know I'll go, like you know, monday, wednesday and Friday to bootcamp and then Tuesday, thursday and usually um Sunday is when I run. Sunday or Saturday I do my longer run and then I I get out there during the week as well.
Speaker 1Yeah, that was. I've been lifting for several years and it really has helped me with injury. You know of not being injured the stronger you know I feel like things are all the connective tissues and whatever. So yeah you might notice that you might get a little faster the more you strength train. Just on accident.
Speaker 2Yeah, I've been really fortunate that I've never been injured and I think it's because I mean, I always think maybe it's because I started running later and that I haven't been running for 20, 30 years, and I know that sometimes when I have and not when I'm running, but I think one time something fell on my foot and I'm like, oh my gosh, am I going to be injured? You know? You know I kind of you know, am I still going to be able to run that type of thing? But I feel pretty, you know, I feel pretty strong and you know, as long as I can get out there, you know, because sometimes I'll go out there and run and maybe I'll only be doing five or six miles and I'll tell my husband, I go, is that okay? And he goes, yes, you're a winner, you know. That's why I say that he's my fan, you know he's so.
Speaker 1You can't get him out there to run, though, huh, he just bikes no no I can't. I can't biking with you. That's huge, though. Yeah, especially if you'll carry extra stuff. Yes, I know he is Mine's an awesome Sherpa. Now he's a runner. I Sherpa'd for him. I crewed him for his first marathon a few weeks ago, and I wasn't used to being on that side of it. I'm like I don't know what I'm doing over here.
Speaker 2And it's actually, what do you say about being on the other side? I volunteered one time at a race at one of the water stations and that was really cool. I had never done that before, I've only done it once, that one time and it was really nice being able to be on that other side and just kind of see you know. Yeah, I enjoyed it.
Speaker 1We have volunteered at different local races and I think my favorite thing is to be at the finish line given the medals. It's so exciting to watch these people finish the races you know. Yeah, that's amazing. Yeah, I really do enjoy the volunteering for sure. Is there anything that I haven't asked you that you would like to have known to?
Speaker 2the people. Well, just one last thing. You know, one of the, I'm in recovery too as well. So, and I've been in recovery, you know, from alcoholism and drug addiction, and I think one of the things, too, that Renning has done is it's been able I think I did mention about being like seeing if my body works, type of thing but being able to make my body like my friend and realize that it's not something that's dirty or harmful, and it's actually. It's a part of me, I know that it's. I mean, obviously it is, but it's not something that's detached. I used to think of it almost like something that was shameful or or or something, and so now being able to run, it's really been able to just to kind of enhance the feeling of that, um, of being whole, you know. So I think that that's really important for me and that's definitely a part of my life is realizing that you know my body is something good and it's my friend.
Speaker 1Yeah, so is that? What kind of spurred you on was when you stopped drinking and things?
Speaker 2Actually no, because I had stopped drinking years before then. I think it was more kind of like the divorce, and also getting older and then realizing too that you can run and you can cry and nobody can see you.
Speaker 1It's a sweat right, it's a sweat, yeah, yeah. Well, that's great. I'm excited for your sobriety and excited for the running. I mean that's fantastic. Thanks, carla, thank you, I appreciate that For sure. Any last little encouraging words you'd like the listeners to hear or to know?
Speaker 2Just, you know, get up and do it. You know, like I said, sometimes it's not always going to be great, but you know it's doable. You know, just get up and go out there and just let yourself run.
Speaker 1Absolutely One step at a time right.
Speaker 2Yep, yep, definitely.
Closing Thoughts and Contact Info
Speaker 1Awesome. Well, thank you so much for being on the show, patricia. I've really enjoyed hearing your story and I'm sure it's a great encouragement for others. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It was a pleasure to be here. Thanks, bye-bye, bye, all right, thanks, friends. I hope you enjoyed that story. Yeah, it was a lot of fun for us and yeah, you can look me up on the socials on Facebook at Coffee Crew Coaching, instagram the same, and, of course, the podcast is Over the Next Hill Fitness. If you want to be on the podcast, send me an email, carla, at CoffeeCrewCoachingcom, and we can have your story on next. Have a great day.
