Running was something others did that were fitter, skinner, and healthier than me. I had resolved that it wasn’t something to do in this lifetime… until my friend Noah challenged me last week to stop making excuses and try it out.
Did you ever play truth or dare as a kid? If dared to do anything, I had to do it- it’s the way I’m wired. It felt like he dared me to give it a try. Within 24 hours I was at Doylestown Athletic shoe store (always happy to add to my shoe collection), buying anything (and everything) related to running, downloaded apps, bought magazines, books and signed up for online tracking systems and signed up for a 5K (remember have never run before!).
To continue the insanity also decided to share with people who love running to be accountable and set a goal to run with them in a few months on my birthday. Funny how getting older makes us more motivated! Public accountability accelerates productivity.
A friend shared historically women couldn’t compete in marathons. It wasn’t until 1967 when KV Switzer (K is for Kathrine), registered for Boston Marathon (she didn’t give her first name). Race organizers were scared if a woman ran her uterus would fall out (that makes me laugh). He went on to say ‘running a marathon isn’t as hard as you think; the biggest challenge to running a marathon is finding the courage to try” . I have no plans to run a marathon however his comments stuck with me – it was about courage.
A marathon is 26.2 miles, today I laughed out loud reading Psalm 26.2 “test me, Oh Lord and try me, examine my heart and my mind’… yes might need my head examined! What is your equivalent challenge of ‘running’? What’s holding you back? What is something you have always wanted to do but didn’t think it was for you?
What could you decide to do, commit to make it happen and then share it with someone to hold yourself accountable? The trick is sharing it with someone.
If you are a runner I’d love to hear your tips and techniques, feel free to share them us here on our blog.
Today decide to do something new and courageous – commit to making it happen and find someone to share it with – now that’s productive!
Great Post!
thanks Dwight – appreciate your feedback – we have had lots of messages today (especially from crazy obsessed runners)!
This is the time of year everyone is dusting off the gear!
Neen! That is so awesome that you are committing to run! My love affair with running has waxed and waned over the years. When I was a kid, I loved to run. Around 11, a boy I liked made a cruel comment to me, and I stopped running. I resisted entirely. In high school, running = freedom for me. In college, I continued to run here and there, and started smoking. Bad decision. When I quit, around 30, I started running again. 1 mile, then another, until I got hooked. I signed up for a half marathon (it had always been on my bucket list) and spent months training for it. The feeling of accomplishment when I crossed that finish line was amazing. I ran two more. Then I became a mother. Since then, my running has been sporadic (especially in Wisconsin winters). I plan to run a full marathon before I turn 40… seems so lofty but I think ANYONE CAN RUN, once THEY BELIVE THEY CAN. Right? A lot of running is mental. And the first mile is always hard…
I think you’ll enjoy this super funny article- Thoughts Every Jogger Has While Out for a Run-http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/thoughts-every-jogger-has-while-out-for-a-running
Also, two of my favorite running quotes:
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” –Lao Tzu
“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” ― John Bingham, No Need for Speed: A Beginner’s Guide to the Joy of Running (AMAZING BOOK FOR BEGINNERS)
Agreed. The first mile is always the toughest.
Wow Courtney that’s so awesome! You are totally an inspiration and I loved those mantras too. I started a Pinterest board called Finish Strong, I am going to have to add those! Those 75 thoughts joggers have … hilarious! I laughed so loud reading that!
I am 54 years old, overweight and have NEVER been a runner until a year and a half ago. On a challenge from my brother, I ran a half marathon last year. After that one, I decided that my knees could never handle a full marathon, so do not ask me to run one. I kept up my running and did two more half marathons since then. This weekend, I will be running a full marathon (26.2 miles) at the Country Music Marathon in Nashville. Once again, it was on a challenge from my brother.
I have learned that the only limitations are the ones that we impose upon ourselves. I have recently (2010) started writing as well. My third book is in the works and is about goal setting/attainment and is centered around this experience. Good luck with your running! If you get a chance, check out my website/blog at http://www.faithguidedleadership.com
Wow Tom thanks for sharing – I loved this verse in your blog “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” – this is the season to take up running that’s for sure – it’s so pretty outside. Thanks for sharing your journey and thoughts with us. Have fun in Nashville – wow a marathon… that’s an awesome goal
Hi Neen,
I’m not a runner, but my husband is. A few years ago, he read a book called, “Born to Run”. As a result, he started running barefoot and has never looked back. He’s a huge advocate for running barefoot (or using minimalist shoes if you can’t bear the thought…) He has better endurance, less injury/soreness, runs faster and says there is no other feeling like it. Thought I’d share. Good luck!!
thanks Laura, I might have to check out that book. It seems that I have entered a whole new world (runners seem to be a unique breed) – I was reading about barefoot running on the weekend (I love shoes and collect them so any reason to buy new ones… I am there!) – thanks for sharing.
I love that you are running! I started 2 years ago when my sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha, became partners with Girls on the Run and it’s really had a profound impact on my life! I am the girl who WALKED the mile in high school. I wasn’t very athletic. But seeing these young girls learning run a 5K, that was inspirational to me! I started running to be a running buddy for them but now I run for me and the freedom and strength it gives me. I prove to myself what I can do if I put my mind to it. I will be running my first half marathon this weekend in Ocean City, Maryland and can hardly believe it! 13.1 miles, here I come! And I can’t wait to come back and run with you in 2 weeks! You rock Neen!
Kelly – that’s so awesome a half marathon – I am so proud of you! Also excited you signed up to keep me company on my first Bucks County 5K – I really am a running virgin and clueless about the protocols LOL! Your work with the girls is inspiring and I bet you inspire them too. Thanks so much for sharing.
Neen – Love the story and your commitment to running. Last June I began training for a half marathon to raise money for cancer. Before training I could barely run 3 miles and when I did finish I was nearly on the floor. My thought was “how in the world am I going to run 13.1 when I can’t even make it past 3”. With lots of training and support I completed my first half in Sept and then did another one in Nov. A couple of things that helped and I continue to remind myself when running. #1 Keep your pace and run your own race – it’s so easy to see people passing you (especially if they are older) so you run faster. Try to figure out what your comfortable pace is and be consistent. #2 It help me to have a mantra that I can repeat when needed. Mine is “I’m not here to win, I’m only here to finish”. I have no desire to win any of the races I do, I just want to self satisfaction of completing them. I am now training for a 10 mile run in Philly in a couple of weeks and am looking forward to it. I also love getting medals after the races…I’m all about the bling. Just remember to run your own race and you’ll do great! Good luck.
Wow Audrey that’s so awesome! You are going to blitz the Philly race! One of the fun mantras I think is ‘I’m not running to be skinny, I am running to be badass!’ – I am going to have to create some mantras of my own I think. Today I ran with my running coach and did something called Ladders – it was great! Within one week I am already running 3 miles so that makes me feel good about my upcoming 5K in May – thanks for sharing. This is a fun journey and I’m excited for you for Philly in a few weeks.
Awesome post, Neen!!!
thanks ‘coach’ – it is fun to run with you and see how my times can change in even a week!
Congrats Neen. Best of luck in the 5k. Train hard but on race day, just have fun. Seriously, you’ll feel like an athletes with a number pinned on your shirt and lining up and waiting with other runs. Plus you’ll probably even get a National Anthem before the race begins. You can imagine yourself a highly paid and famous athlete with the TV cameras showing your stoic poise and laser focus before the competiton begins. Soak it in!!!
In terms of preparation and training, don’t overrun. For a 5k (just over 3 miles) you can run 4 to 5 times a week. A few times can be as short as a mile and two of the weekly runs should be 3 to 4 miles. It would be good to incorporate cycling in to your training too so you build leg strength within the pounding of running. But give yourself at least one full day off from any leg excercise for recovery.
Most importantly, we need to get a run in! Let’s make a plan to meet up with Marcello and get some fun and easy miles in.
Best of luck.
Thanks Mike! I love your advice and even more the suggestion of a run with you and Marcello – let’s do it!