By Jaime Lintott

The problem is, I have Social Anxiety Disorder and as I get older, it gets worse, I get worse.

Prior to me joining Taekwondo, my life consisted Gilmore Girls reruns and a bag of Smartfood. The older I get the harder it’s become to get away with hiding in my room. I’m going to be 30 soon. I know this isn’t old but I also know that it’s old enough to have collected some pretty bad habits and really bad coping mechanisms, which, for me, mostly consisted of hiding or running scared.

Then, this past December, I watched Taekwondo at my local YMCA and fell in love.

by Tracey Gessner

I hesitate for a moment when  people ask me what kind of races I like to run.

Gessner finishing a 50-mile race.

The word “ultramarathon” sounds so… crazy? Five years ago when I was completing my very first 5K I would have called you out of your damn mind if you told me I’d be running the distances I do these days. 50K? 50 MILES? Are those even real numbers?

People often say that running is an addiction. When I crossed the finish line at that first 5K I remember thinking to myself. “I could probably do twice that.” Six months later when I completed a 10K I thought, “Maybe I’ll do a half marathon someday.” Now many moons and many marathons later, running 13 miles is something that I like to on Saturday mornings… FOR FUN.

“I Did It!” is a place where readers can share their stories of personal triumph and overcoming adversity. Made a PR? Worked through and injury? Dealt with emotional and mental blocks? Submit your stories to share with and inspire yuor fellow Ms. Fits.

Send your success story of 350 words or less (longer posts will not be considered) to: IDidIt@MsFitMag.com. Include a photo as well as your personal contact info.