I am a runner. There was once upon a time I never even dreamed those words would come out of my mouth. I didn't become a runner overnight and actually I had run 3 races before I would even consider muttering those 4 words. I had some preconceived ideas of what a "runner" was and I didn't think I was one of them because I didn't think I ran fast enough or far enough or even liked it enough. Then one day I was enough; I believed I was a runner.
I started running 3 years ago when my son was 10 months old and I was thinking I really needed to get some plan in motion to get back in to shape again. It was then that another mom posted on Facebook that her husband was looking for people to do a Couch to 5K program that he was being sponsored to do and we would get a shirt to wear in the race and they would pay our first entry fee. I said I "might" be interested to which she replied, Great! You're In!
Wait! What just happened? I didn't have time to make any excuses why I couldn't do it or how to delay this decision. I decided not to over think it and just do it. I was looking for something to get me going and it landed in my lap. No excuses.
We ran as a group weekly and we were responsible to run the other two times on our own and at the end of the program we ran a 5K that we picked out together. During our weekly meeting I met this wonderful woman who would very quickly become a friend and is now a very dear friend and we still meet weekly to run together.
Running with this new friend is what helped me to keep up with running. We each did another 5K a month after that with different friends but kept meeting to run and talk each week. I didn't want to give up hanging out with her, so I didn't give up on running and we decided after the first of the year we would start training to run a 10K together. I never thought I would run a 5K, let alone a 10K. It was at this point I muttered "I think we might be becoming runners." When we finished that 10K that just 8 months after our first run, I hugged her and said "We ARE Runners!"
Since then I have gained many more running partners and done a lot more races including my first half marathon this past April. That half marathon just solidified in my mind that I was enough. I am a runner. I don't run too long of distances on my own; I actually just ran 9 miles by myself which was the longest distance I have done alone. I like to run with my friends. The camaraderie I feel mixed with the endorphins from exercise are a mixture of two feel good feelings that I love. I love that mixture. But I will still run on my own too because I am a runner. in a few weeks you will be able to read about me completing my second half marathon. I still cannot imagine doing a full marathon, but then again I never imagined doing a 5K, a 10K or a half marathon. But I'm a runner, so who knows. And now you know my story.
13 comments:
Love it! Yes, you are a runner and should feed very confident saying that! I'm glad we've been able to run together. I can't wait to hear how your next half goes. Maybe we'll end up training for a full marathon together! Who knows?!
I was a runner in high school. I wouldn't say at the time that I would classify myself as a runner either, but looking back (wishing I was still in that kind of shape!) I sure was!
Great post! I was in your boat as well, said I would never run a Full...now I've run 4 (one of those a Goofy's Challenge). My greatest lesson from running? Never say never! :0) Can't wait to read about your 2nd Half experience!
I love this post!While I am not a runner, I secretly wish I was able to do it.. I am weak physically and running even for 5 minutes will leave me struggling for breath.. Your post somehow managed to inspire me :) Thank you so much! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving :)
Well done! I also believe you are enough of a runner you could complete a marathon. You may not get the time you are looking for (but you just may too!), but I believe you could complete it. No problem! Sometimes I feel it is less daunting after you have done it and from there you can work on speed.
That's awesome! You definitely are a runner! It's so much easier when you have friends to do it with! Congrats on all of your accomplishments!
You are a runner!! I wish I could say the same...I just need someone to kick me out of the house so I can, too, become a runner! :)
I used to be until I jacked my knee.. now it just hurts... bummer! Good thing I have a stationary bike!
With hard work and dedication, you have come a long way! Proud to say I've been there since the beginning :)
I used to love to run but it's getting a little harder these days with the bursitis in my hips.
I love this post. I so wish that I could be a runner too. I ran track in middle school and high school. I haven't done it since then and I hardly work out. This post makes me motivated to want to work out though and try to get to the point that I can run again
I loved reading this! It's very motivating to me. I've always hated running and just did a mile or two every once in a while. I just decided last week that the only way I'm going to get over this "I hate running" mindset is to run a half marathon in the spring. So I started training with a friend this week!
Like you, I run farther with other people. We ran 8 miles yesterday, and if it was just me...I would've quite after a mile!
Thank you for posting. My LO is 8 months now and I am trying to get back into shape. Maybe this will finally motivate me.
Post a Comment