Feature Friday: This Mom Is Learning To Love Running One Step At A Time

Every Friday we chat with one of our blog content network contributors to find out what most inspires them to be fit and find adventure every day.

This week we're chatting with Patty from No Guilt Life.

Patty is a mother of five who blogs about balancing family, work and fitness. She's a runner who is learning to love the sport, although she says that's a work in progress. She is an avid fan of the runDisney race series and is also an expert on margaritas, potty training and losing weight.  

Read more to find out how she's learning to love running, what exciting items she's recently checked off her bucket list and her helpful advice for beginner runners who hope to build a bond with the sport.
—Katie Rosenbrock

The Active Times: How did you first become involved with running?
Patty: I started running as most post-baby moms do: to lose weight.  With the support & encouragement of my mommy internet friends, we began the Couch to 5k program and started running in 2007.

What are the wisest words you ever heard about running?
Your race, your pace.  Don't let anyone tell you that you "do it wrong" when it comes to speed.  There is no wrong as long as you are moving forward.

What spurred you start your blog? 
I signed up for my first half marathon when I learned about the 2011 Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World.  If I was ever going to run that far, it had to be pretty freakin' magical.  I looked online for any race re-caps or information detailing just how to have a successful half marathon at Disney.  I found a few resources, but they weren't from runners like me: back of the packers who desperately wanted a safe place for that first endurance race.  I felt I had experience to share leading into my second Princess Half in 2012 and the blog was born. 

Describe in 140 characters or less how you judge the success of your blog.
A successful blog happens when readers share that I made them laugh, taught them something, or spoke up on their behalf. They count first.

What advice would you give to someone trying running for the first time?
I'd tell people that it's ok to walk sometimes.  Really, it is.  There's this awesome guy named Jeff Galloway— a former Olympian and Boston Qualifier— who actually made this a whole thing.  He WALKS during his runs.  If you don't need it, great.  But if you need to ease into running do not fear a walk interval.  They are life savers and make starting to run just a wee bit less scary.  If it's good enough for Jeff, it's good enough for you.

What is the one piece of equipment you'd never be without?
My iPhone.  I'll admit it: I get bored really easily and need the tunes or a podcast to get me through most runs.  It also plays back up to my Garmin as a distance tracker and is invaluable in case of an emergency.  I never leave home without it.

Are you passionate about any activities besides running?
Yeah, you could say I have a passion.  It involves Mouse Ears and castles.  I absolutely love the Disney Parks and would spend every day hanging out with Mickey if I could.  Some of my friends think I do!  I'm a coast to coast kind of girl: I love Walt Disney World and Disneyland equally for different reasons.  If you ever need any tips for planning your Disney vacation, come sit by me!  

What is your favorite quote, and what do you so like about it? 
Walt Disney said, "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." This is just life.  So many times we are all talk and no action.  Just like that run you plan out in your head or on your training plan: it means nothing unless you begin running.

What is top of your bucket list when it comes to running?
Run that elusive first (only?) marathon.  I'm terrified.

What, if anything, did you most recently knock off your bucket list? 
I created a List of 40 things to do in my 40th year.  One was see the Grand Canyon.  We spent a weekend there in May and it was everything I hoped for.  We hiked just below the rim on two day trips and I was hooked.  Less than 10% of visitors go down that far we were told, and even fewer make it all the way to the bottom.  That's up for the next Grand Canyon trip.

What is your least favorite word, and why? 
Can't. Usually the truthful word is "won't," but we are too scared to admit it.  The human body is pretty fantastic and CAN do just about anything we want it to do.

Where is your favorite place to be? 
It's a tossup:  the beach or Main St., U.S.A.  Either one makes me ridiculously happy.

Read more about Patty on NoGuiltLife.com. Follow her on Twitter @longhorns2