March 06, 2014

Runner's World!!!

It came today!! I've been waiting oh-so-impatiently for the April issue of Runner's World. Last June, my From Fat to Finish Line Ragnar Relay team was informed that we would be gracing the pages of RW, which was SO exciting. The story has been in the works ever since--I had no idea it takes so much work to put together an article like that!

None of us had seen the the layout, or read anything that was going to be in print, so we have all been anxiously waiting to get our hands on a copy. In January, we were told that only six of us would be featured. I felt a little guilty about that, because all 12 members of the team have worked REALLY hard to get where we are, but it was understandable that the magazine didn't have enough room for everyone. I'm not sure how they chose who was going to be featured, but it ended up being Rik, Ada, John, Jennifer, Allison, and me.

I couldn't believe it when Runner's World sent me a large box of running clothes to try on and choose some outfits for a photo shoot. Yes, a photo shoot. Of me. For my favorite magazine! They sent a photographer, Peter Hoffman, here all the way from Chicago to take several hundred photos of me. The whole thing was mind-blowing! All that work, all those photos, for ONE PICTURE in a magazine?

I had so much fun during the photo shoot, and Peter was great--but I hadn't seen the pictures. I was nervous about seeing the magazine, because what if they chose terrible pictures of me? They wanted to get some "serious" photos, where I wasn't smiling, and I am not good at that. I like to smile, and I look much better when I'm smiling! So Peter took a ridiculous amount of photos, smiling/not smiling, in motion/still, etc.

I did a couple of phone interviews with the writer, Lisa Marshall. She was really nice, and I felt very comfortable talking to her. I had no idea what the angle was going to be as far as my story goes, which was a little nerve-wracking as well!

We were told this was going to be a feature story in the April issue, which is their weight loss issue. All of February, I was nervous and excited about the story. This week, I've been checking my mailbox daily to see if my issue was in there. Today, I opened the box and there it was!



I was really stunned by the fact that not only did my picture take up the entire PAGE, they also used my before and after photos for the intro pages! Again, I'm not sure how they picked, but I was very excited to see it :)

I read through all the pages of my team once really quickly, and then I went back and read them all more slowly. I was SO happy with the entire feature. I love the photos they chose to use, I love the angle they chose for each of our stories, and I learned a few things from reading my teammates' tips!

This whole thing has been a dream come true for me. Four years ago, I couldn't even run down the length of my street; and now, I'm in the pages of Runner's World magazine?!

I've written several times about my love/hate relationship with running, but today I want to focus on the love. So here is what keeps me running, nearly four years after my first run:

*Running burns a lot of calories in a short amount of time, so I get to eat more--and I love to eat ;)
*Running helps get rid of my anxiety.
*Running helps me sleep better.
*Running makes me feel like I "belong".
*Running challenges me. No matter how fast or long I run, I can always try to go faster/longer.
*Running gives me something to set goals toward. After losing the weight, it gave me something else to focus on.
*Running keeps me in great cardiovascular shape.
*Running gives me a purpose, something to work hard at.
*Running has helped me keep over 100 pounds off for over three years.
*Running gets me outside. I'm not an "outdoorsy" person, but the fresh air is good for me.
*Running gives me a topic to talk about with my friends who also run.
*Running sets a good example for my kids to exercise.
*Running gives me time to think over a problem.
*Running makes me feel special.
*Running has helped me to make a lot of new friends.
*Running gives me something to be proud of.

So there you have it--all the "love" parts of running. It's really changed my life dramatically, and for the better!

43 comments:

  1. Congratulations!!! That is a huge accomplishment! I can't wait to pick up a copy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow! How inspiring...and I love your list on why you love to run...maybe I should start ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. SO exciting Katie!! This is such an incredible opportunity for you and the rest of your team. You should be so incredibly proud of yourself :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome! You and all of your team is so inspiring to so many people. Congrats :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congratulations! I'm looking forward to reading the article, and I love your list of reasons to love running!

    ReplyDelete
  6. My copy came in the mail today, too. I ran in and told my husband, "Look, it's Runs for Cookies!" He doesn't know you're Katie, but he does know the name of your blog. Happy for you and your teammates. Such inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great Job!! You look great!! Congratulations on your loss!! I am on the journey of losing now! You are an inspiritation to me!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats! My copy came yesterday and I thought of emailing you, but nothing is as exciting as opening your mailbox, pulling out the magazine, and opening to that page yourself! You deserve this and you serve as a great inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats on you weight loss journey and I know it's an honor to be in the Runners World magazine. Your hard work and dedication is what got you this far and you deserve all the success and recognition.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow! Congratulations! I will see if I can find a copy at the international newsstand here - I hope they have it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I grabbed a copy of this at the airport yesterday! Congrats!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats. That's an awesome achievement. You are an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  13. cant wait to buy a copy!! You deserve this, feel proud girl!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. this is so amazing! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations Katie! You deserve it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congrats!!! I do work with syndicating Runner's World content - they are all so nice over there. Glad you had a good experience.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Awesome work your now officially famous

    Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congratulations! That is so awesome! I can't wait to buy the magazine.

    ReplyDelete
  19. The pictures look awesome! You are an inspiration. Love reading your blog, I don't comment often but I check your blog daily. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Very much deserved. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh wow - as a former runner this TOTALLY got my attention!! I'll be picking up my copy of Runners World today!! Congratulations!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great list....loved it! It really makes me wish I could run, instead of just walk, but I know my knees would NOT appreciate it. Congrats on the magazine, can't wait to buy a copy, did you say it would be on the stands 3/11?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congrats!! So exciting!!


    Lauren
    http://stayathomewifey-lg.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congratulations! That is so awesome! I love your list of why you run!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I read the article about you and your team mates in Runner's World, and it is what brought me to your blog. You have an inspiring story and you have gained another daily reader! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. So awesome and exciting! Congrats!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is amazing...congrats!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congrats!! Just picked up the issue at Target!

    ReplyDelete
  29. How exciting!! I can't wait to find it in a store.

    ReplyDelete
  30. How exciting. You're famous! :-)

    Hope to see you at Rock CF.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Congratulations!! You are adorable and such an inspiration to so many!

    ReplyDelete
  32. So happy for you Katie! You've been an inspiration to me!
    H :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I've never read that magazine before but I think I'll pick up a copy! Congrats! :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I was so excited mine was in the mail yesterday! I showed my husband who thought your story was pretty awesome. Yay Katie!

    ReplyDelete
  35. How exciting! Congratulations! I can't wait to get a copy!

    ReplyDelete
  36. This is awesome, congrats Katie :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow--that is SO exciting! I can't wait to see that issue in person! You look fantastic and very happy and healthy. I love your list of running "loves."

    ReplyDelete
  38. Amazing! Many congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love your pictures holding the magazines! They really speak to who you are as a silly, funny, AWESOME person! You are definitely an inspiration... keep up the amazing work!

    ReplyDelete
  40. GiltEdgeGirlMarch 08, 2014

    Hey Katie! My Runner's World was waiting for me at the post office today. I propped it up on my treadmill for inspiration!!! You and your other team members must be so proud of the article.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I got mine the other day and was sooo excited to see you on the 2 page spread! I can only imagine how excited you are! You are such an inspiration and this just goes to show what happens when you really work for what you want. Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I flipped open my issue the other day and saw your picture and said, "Hey, it's the girl from that great blog I've been following!" Congrats! Fantastic photos and articles! You are definitely an inspiration and it's so awesome and definitely well-deserved you're in the magazine inspiring even more people!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Yay, my copy just arrived. Can't wait to read it! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete

I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

Featured Posts

Blog Archive