Ericka Lambert

My Wellness Journey

My Wellness Journey
Ericka Lambert
Duncan Elementary

I was an active child with a lot of energy. My parents thought it would be a good idea to “channel my energy” so they started me in swim lessons. I LOVED swimming! I started competitive swimming when I was 10. I joined the Sterling Sea Devils at Henry Ford II (my alma mater). I had an athletic build and was “sturdy”. I was on the swim team in high school and I would eat as much as I swam. In the off-season I would still eat like I was swimming and it caused me to gain weight. When I started college, I decided it was time to get fit. I started walking at Dodge Park and I gradually added running to my routine. As the years went by, I started adding more distance to my runs. When I transferred to CMU, I had committed myself to my workouts. I would spend an hour at the Student Activity Center 4 days a week trying to get fit. By the time I had graduated and gotten married, I felt I was ready to run my first marathon. I ran the Detroit Free Press Marathon in 2002 and I was addicted to running marathons! It was the most amazing experience and I was so proud of my accomplishment.

I had my first child in July of 2003. I had a difficult pregnancy and was put on bed rest; I had stop running by my 12th week. I ended up gaining 50 lbs.with my first child. I was disappointed in myself because of my weight gain. I vowed to start running again. I ran another three marathons and lost all my excess baby weight. I was feeling great again. I decided to set a new goal…qualify for the Boston Marathon. I had my second child in October of 2007. This was a much easier pregnancy and I was able to run until my 20th week. I gained 40 lbs. with this pregnancy and was feeling a little better about myself. I knew I could get back to running after the baby was born. I am currently training for the Detroit Free Press Marathon on October 18, 2009. I am hoping to qualify for Boston but know if I can’t do it this time that there will be many more marathons to come!