Runner’s World+ Member: Haley Probus
Haley is a Runner’s World+ member. Join her and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print!
It has made me realize I can overcome any obstacle I’m faced with, and keep pushing forward. I used to be about 70 pounds heavier, and very unhealthy for half my life. When I was 16 I lost the weight(not by running). Once I got the weight off I didn’t know how to maintain it, and through fear of gaining it back, I ended up on the opposite side of the spectrum, only eating about 600 calories a day and over doing my exercises. I had anorexia. I saw a nutritionist and got healthy. The next two years I was finally in a healthy weight range and in a good place. At the age of 22, I decided to be a runner. Growing up, and all my life, I always wanted to be a runner, but i wasn’t even able to run a mile when I was younger. I had my son in December, and by May I ran my 1st 5k, then 1 year later, my first half marathon. Running has changed me in so many ways. I have learned how to balance a healthy lifestyle, and that I can overcome anything.
I wanted to be a part of a community of runners, read their stories, and learn from others on how to improve my running. I love reading the stories of other runners, they really inspire me! So many people have overcome so much and if they can do it, why not me? Runners World+ has given me so much encouragement, and I often think of stories I have read during “the wall” when I’m on a long run, and then I feel I can keep pushing.
In 2013 I decided it was time to commit to changing my life. I think of the time in my life when I wanted to be a runner so bad and how I wanted to enjoy running. Now I can — I enjoy it and I love to see my improvements. I want to be a good role model for my son. I have taken him on a several 5Ks and 10Ks with me, and he loves it.
On long run days I start my run by 5 a.m. I love watching the sun come up. During the rest of the week I go in the evenings, right before the sun sets. I run across Ravenel Bridge — It is quite an incline at first, and about 2 miles long. I love running down after I get to the top. I start on the bottom, run through historic downtown Charleston, through Battery Park, then back. I sometimes (depending on how far my long run is that day) go down to the pier and back, then to Patriots Point and run by the Yorktown Battleship. It really is a beautiful run, with lost of history!
I have this shirt I got at a running convention. It fits perfect, it’s bright pink and has an encouraging verse on the back: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. It reminds me that I am strong, to never give up, and that I can do anything I set my mind to.
I am currently training for my 1st marathon. I want to run 4 Marathons in 2020.
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