When I was in track and field, my definition of running for “long distance” was running a lap around the track. Anything more than that was like a marathon! 🙂 But I was also carrying a lot of weight at the time too– you have to be strong to throw the shot put! But now, two years after I finished track, I did something that I thought I would have never been able to do– I competed in my first distance race.

That’s right! A 5k– and that is way more than a lap around the track! 🙂

If you would have told me this time two years ago that I would be competing in a 5k race, I would have been like–well, was I officiating it helping out– but I would have never guessed that I would be actually running in one! 🙂 But that is what I did this past weekend– I ran in my first 5k race! The last time that I got a medal or trophy was for throwing a little iron ball far. 🙂 Times have sure changed for me! 😀

The picture above is my medal that I got this weekend along with one of my SEC Shot Put Champion Medals when I was at Florida. Wow, from throwing to running– what a complete transition! 🙂

The point in this post is that whether you are in athletics or public relations or really any position or industry– you have to reinvent yourself. People change based on their personal experiences and expertise, and they have to adapt. I feel like I have indeed reinvented myself in several ways– I have lost a lot of weight thanks to Jenny Craig (two years on the program this November), I have retired from track and field, and now– I am lighter, eating healthy, running and exercising more, and cooking more.

Even though I am not doing a lot when I am on Jenny Craig– but when I do– I go all out! 🙂 I don’t mean that I am eating like I did when I was competing, but what I do mean is that when I do decide to cook, I make sure that the meal is special and uses the best ingredients. It is so fun to make wonderful items for people and see their reaction– I think that food is the best gift, especially if it is good! 🙂 For example, I am going to be making Chicken Tetrazinni this weekend– I think that Jenny will understand. 🙂

So– my point is, that reinventing yourself is key to establishing yourself in your professional and personal life. Change is always good. 🙂 I hope that you all have a great day! 🙂

Best Wishes,

Karen