“I’m not a runner”….
“I can’t do that”….
“That isn’t me”….
“I don’t have the time”…
I think non-runners believe that runners were born to run and they were not. If that is your belief, then like everything else in life, you are absolutely right! On the other hand, if you are willing to enjoy the process of becoming a runner there are many rewards.
When a non-runner envision someone they believe was “born to run”, it’s a gazelle-like creature leaping effortlessly through a pasture, complete with rays of sunshine and beautiful butterflies.
I know this, because for most of my life, that’s exactly what I thought when I watched other people running. I had always found running to be an alienating and disappointing experience and it took a near break-down at the side of the road one day to get the help and education I needed to break through my barriers to running.
I’ll admit that if my husband Tony wasn’t an avid runner, I’d probably be getting my exercise in another way. When we decided to get married, we made a commitment to each other that we will have a healthy, active lifestyle together. Do we always want to get up and out, especially in the winter months? Absolutely NOT. But we do it because of our commitment to each other and the numerous health and lifestyle benefits we experience.
Here are some of the reasons that I run:
- Stress management
- Pant-size management
- Time in the Great Outdoors
- The wonderful people of all ages, shapes and sizes that I meet
- Knowing I’m taking care of my heart and lungs
- The book “Younger Next Year” by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, MD.
- The feeling of pure joy when I cross the finish line
- Watching and supporting others reach their goal
- Dreaming up where we’ll travel for future race(s) – For my family, Ottawa is on the list for 2014!
Things I wish I knew in advance:
- The only difference between me and a runner is that runners run.
- Stretching is as important as running
- Ligaments and tendons take a lot longer to adapt to increasing mileage
- Stretching is as important as running
- How much my nutrition would have to change
- Stretching is as important as running
- Nothing new on race day! Ugh!
- Stretching is as important as running
- It doesn’t really get any easier, but it feels better and better
- Stretching is as important as running
- How much I’d love it!
I’m currently training for the Vancouver Half Marathon on Sunday, May 5th. To tell you the truth, my training has been somewhat lackluster and inconsistent due to unexpected demands on my time in January and February. I’m at the point now that I know I need to stretch more, eat better, see my support team and not miss a training session between now and race day. In a way, that is what I’m doing by sharing this with you.
If you are even thinking about trying something new, whether it’s running or another form of regular exercise, I’ll leave you with two thoughts:
1. Even if you are awkward, uncomfortable or self-conscious, the whole point is to get your body moving.
2. Regardless of outward appearances, you can always choose to see yourself as a gazelle.
In health,
Laura
