In this edition of Rockstar Runner, we meet the lovely LaTasha Lloyd, an incredibly brave woman who turned to running as a way to cope with health issues, and found herself running a half marathon (and addicted to running in the process, of course!)
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am 42 & have been married 18 years. I am an HR professional. Some of my interests include interior decorating, dancing and of course running. I have one pet, a 4 year old Yorkshire terrier named Duke. I don’t have any children due to a condition called endometriosis which caused me to be infertile. I was diagnosed with this after having a myomectomy to remove fibroids at the age of 27. I attempted in vitro fertilization the following year but it was unsuccessful. Once it was realized that motherhood wasn’t in my future, I concentrated on completing my BBA degree. I was constantly in pain and I was taking pain medication every day because of the endometriosis. I decided to have a full hysterectomy at the age of 33. Since that time I have been struggling with my weight and other health issues which stemmed from the endometriosis. I have finally decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and enjoy life.
How/why did you start running?
I started running in 2011 when a co-worker asked me about running in the Detroit Free Press Marathon. After some convincing I signed up for my first 5K. I thought it would be a good way to get moving and lose weight. I was very excited and impressed by the thousands of people that were there so early in the morning to run. I decided that I was definitely signing up again to do this race the following year.
What do you love about running – what keeps you coming back time after time?
I love race days the most; crossing that finish line is a liberating feeling. Of course I love getting the Bling! Running has become a stress reliever; it’s just me and my music.
How do you get yourself out the door on days when you’re just not ‘feeling it’?
I think of the ladies in the running group that I am a part of. These ladies go hard, they really keep me motivated. There have been days when I’m sitting on the couch being lazy on Facebook and the ladies are posting their runs. I actually got up, put my running clothes on and went for a run. I also give myself a time or mileage limit. I will say just get out and do 30 minutes or run 3 miles.
Do you have an inspirational and/or funny running story (or stories!) to share with us?
I signed up for my first half marathon terrified that I wouldn’t be ready or that I might not finish in time. There was a 4 hour time limit to complete the race. I kept thinking a bus was going to stop and tell me to get on, lol! The course takes you over a bridge to Canada and back to the US via an underwater tunnel. I am afraid of bridges and I can’t swim so I was very concerned about that as well.
I did the race alone, no one to talk to or reassure me that everything was going to be ok. At the start of the race I realized that I was in the last corral and that made me nervous. Then I turned around and saw the last chance pacer, now I am really freaking out!! I started making my way through the crowd to move up & get away from the last chance pacer. I was running as fast as I could and I was starting to get really tired. I didn’t look back because I was afraid that the pacer was right behind me. I eventually started walking, then I reached the bridge. It was at this point when I noticed there were still so many people behind me that I could settle down a little bit after I crossed the bridge. By mile 10, I was ready to give up but I kept chanting to myself “one step at a time, mind over matter.” When I saw the finish line I wanted to cry! I wanted to run it in but I couldn’t because I was in so much pain. To make a long story short I finished my first half marathon in 3 hours and 30 minutes.
How has running changed your life?
I have met a lot of wonderful people, I feel better about myself; I am a lot more confident.
What words of wisdom do you have for brand new runners?
Don’t be intimidated. Try not to overdo it. Take it easy.
What are your favorite inspirational blogs to follow?
Actually Running with Curves is the first and only blog I have followed.
Have you ever been injured running, and how did you recover?
I over did it by running too many days back to back training for my 2nd half marathon last year. My knees were killing me. I didn’t run for 3 weeks to give my knees time to recover. During that 3 week time I walked. Now I only run every other day.
What running gear do you think you can’t live without?
I have to have my iPod, Fitbit tracker and really good running shoes.
What is your favorite race distance?
13.1(half marathon); even though I have only done this distance twice. It is challenging to me. I plan on doing at least 2 half marathons this year.
What was your favorite race?
The Detroit Free Press Half Marathon is my favorite. The course is awesome. You get to run in two countries! (US & Canada)
How many races have you completed?
I have completed a total of 17 races; year to date. 10 of the 17 I completed last year.
What are your top 3 songs to listen to when you run?
Eminem – Survival
Jessie J – Burnin’ Up
Mary Mary – Get Up
Treadmill or outdoors?
I prefer outdoors. It better prepares me for races. I enjoy the scenery and people watching.
How can we find/follow you on social media?
I have a Facebook account, LaTasha L Loyd.
Thanks LaTasha for sharing your awesome story. Thanks to you, I now have the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon on my bucket list!
Check out other Rockstar Runners HERE.
