I have always been a runner; I had just never run before. Sure, there was that one cross-country season in middle school that I did with a friend and there was a race here and there, but nothing like now.

But I have always been a runner. I have run from bosses I did not like and who did not like me. I have run from family, friends, crushes, boyfriends, teachers and even colleges. If you can name it, I have probably run away from it at some point in my life.

It was not until I was a sophomore in college that I began to run for real. It was October in West Virginia, not exactly the best season to take up an outdoor sport. I had just run from yet another relationship. To make matters worse, I had made arrangements to sell my horse in a couple weeks. That horse was my world for nine years of my life and I even ran from him.

I can distinctly remember sitting in my empty apartment (I lived alone at this point) thinking to myself, “Well, I’ve run away from everything now, I might as well do it for real.” And so I ran. I ran until winter got too cold and the snow was too high, but even then I bundled up and walked the paths I would have normally run.

When spring came, I started running for real. I did a couch to 5K program and actually ran a couple of 5Ks. I got halfway through a 5K to 10K program when I let the start of my junior year get the best of me.

I have run in the bitter cold, pouring rain and merciless heat. I have run through forests with foliage so thick I could barely see the sky and I have pounded the pavement of our nation’s capital.

Running has taught me a lot of things, but I think the most important thing it has taught me is to stop running. When I am miles away from my truck or my home, I know there is no quitting. I have to finish what I started.

Now that I am done training for a 10K, I have started training for a half-marathon. My roommate looks at me like I am crazy when I say I am off to run six miles, but I cannot help but be proud of myself.

My boyfriend (yes, I even found a relationship I do not want to run away from) asked me one day, “So what’s the goal here?” I had not even thought about it but after a second of hesitation I replied, “A marathon.”

I am a runner now and there is no stopping me. I refuse to quit.