Great Race Runner Shares Inspirational Story

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It's hard to imagine now, but not long ago, trim and pretty Christine Crawford was 88 pounds heavier.

A mother with five kids, Christine got virtually no exercise splitting her days between home and her job at the University of Pittsburgh.

"Every pregnancy I had gotten bigger and an aunt suggested that I should lose some weight, so I thought it was about time," she said.

Christine took it one day at a time, joining Weight Watchers and walking during her lunch hour. Those walks grew from 10 minutes to 50. Then she started running and before long, running races.

"After the first race that I ran, as soon as I crossed the finish line I said to my husband, 'Boy I want to do it again,' and he just looked at me. But it's kind of been like an addiction now," she said.

It's a very positive addiction that has boosted her energy, lifted her self-esteem and bolstered her confidence.

This Sunday she will be running run her second Great Race -- this after completing Dick's Sporting Goods City of Pittsburgh Half Marathon in May – something she says most anyone can accomplish.

"Just taking the first step is the hardest thing and being consistent," she says, "but knowing that it's something that will pay off for you in just more than your health because it's kind of transformed me in different areas and it makes you believe in yourself more."

For Christine, the Great Race is really just the cherry on the top -- a celebration of life transformed through running and perseverance.

RELATED LINKS
The Great Race on CBS Pittsburgh
Great Race Official Website