Guest blogger Natalie Siston is an avid runner who works on the Nationwide marketing team. She enjoys sharing training stories with Eric Motter and other co-workers who are part of the 400+ associates that are participating in the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon this year. Natalie shares why she runs – now we want to hear from you!

I subscribe to a running magazine for women and the last page features a reader’s photo and a quote on “why she runs”. It is typically inspirational to the tune of “I run to feel the wind at my back and sun on my face and know that I am making a difference in my life.” Or something like: “I run to remind myself that I am strong, independent, and can achieve anything.”

When I first began subscribing to this magazine in 2008, I saw myself through these readers and had a nice warm fuzzy feeling whenever I read the quotes. I was training for the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Full Marathon (my first) and my quote would have read something like: “I run to feel strong, be healthy, and to accomplish a lifetime goal.” I ended up crossing the finish line in my goal time of four hours.

Two years have passed and I have a different take on “why I run”. To put in quite bluntly: I run for “no more fat pants”.

Why no more fat pants? Last October, while everyone was getting in their last training run before the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon, I was participating in a different sort of marathon – child birth. My first baby was due exactly one week after the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and my biggest fear was that I was going to go into labor during the marathon and get stuck in runner traffic on the way to OSU hospital. Luckily, this was not the case and instead I gave birth early on an OSU football Saturday (which presented its own set of traffic challenges.)

While pregnant, I drastically scaled down my exercise routine. I began competing in triathlons and half marathons in 2006 and stuck to a fairly strict five to six day weekly training plan. While I was pregnant I swam, did pre-natal yoga and took my dog on walks. I did not run.

Back in the game

After a couple of months of sitting on my couch with a newborn, I knew things had to change. As much as I liked wearing sweatpants and watching Bravo TV, I wanted even more to wear my old wardrobe. So, I dusted off the treadmill, loaded up my iPod and ran. By January, I knew I needed motivation to achieve my “no more fat pants” goal, so I signed up for the Cap City Half Marathon in May. I not only finished the race, but was also back in my old wardrobe by race day.

I thought about coasting for the remainder of 2010, but in the back of my mind, knew I needed a goal to move me forward. As luck would have it, I was assigned a new desk at work, next to the designer creating many of the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon materials. He saw me hang up my race bib from 2008 and assumed I was participating in the 2010 race. He quickly showed me the portfolio of designs for this year’s medal, t-shirt, and gave me my own marathon poster. I guess I’m a sucker, because the very next day I signed up for the 2010 Nationwide Better Health Columbus Half Marathon. I don’t plan on breaking my PR, but I do look forward to “skinny jeans”.

Why do you run? Leave a comment so we can be inspired.(Or to be re-assured by others with similar, highly practical goals.)