I was in the middle of my daily 3 mile run when a prior day's question rang through my head. "What is your hobby?" I didn't have anything that I did for enjoyment for myself. So I thought, "What do I do daily?" I ran, but that wasn't for enjoyment. I ran because I wanted to keep some sort of fitness level. A hobby you get good at, right? I wasn't really good at running. A hobby you love, right? I didn't love running, it hurt. I couldn't think of anything else that I made time for each day so I concluded that day's run with Goal 1 - to run further than I have in the past and become a better runner.
The next day's 3 mile run I was going to make 4 miles. This proved harder than it sounded. After a week of trying to get to 4 miles and only making it to 3.5 a few times I decided I was going to need a plan and a new goal. Goal 2 - I was going to run the Corporate Challenge and I was going to figure out how to make it to 4 miles before that. After a while I was able to reach my 4 mile goal, ran the Corporate Challenge and felt a newfound proudness in myself that I have not felt before. I then decided I was going to "get good". It is funny now that I think back, trying to "get good" when you have no junior/senior high/college background in track and field is almost impossible. If I only knew all the injuries, setbacks and pains that were ahead of me. However, as the runs progressed and I wanted to go further. I had all the determination in the world but I found it to be lonely. I was working so hard and pushing myself all by myself.
Goal 3-I set out to find people to run with. This was NOT an easy task. I couldn't find friends who wanted to run or had the drive to push through the pain. This is not a put-down, not everyone wants to do certain activities. I saw a guy at the gym who was always followed by a small group of runners. I finally got the courage to walk over to him and ask, "Could I run with your group of friends some time? I want to run and I am hating running every mile alone." The guy turned out to be Kevin Collins, a well-known local marathoner who has done umpteen amounts of amazing things in the running community - Three-time U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier, #3 marathoner in the U.S. in 2003, and #1 American finisher in the 1996 Boston Marathon just to name a few. He ran a run club at the gym and I joined. I found a group of people who loved to run, pushed one another and supported one another. Kevin gave me the basics on training and gave advise when I needed it. The next race I ran was a half marathon and I loved every single moment of the training and the race.
I haven't stopped running since. I have met so many wonderful people while running. I met my boyfriend and his friends too. I haven't trained with a group in a long time and I find pros and cons with running alone. Training myself is a task too but I enjoy seeing what I can do and figuring out what my body can handle. I've gotten to the point where running is fun, running a daily run is not as difficult as it was. I like to run in nature and have some time to myself and think about things – work out issues, make plans for the future and pretend I am a podium finisher at my next race - lol. Running alone can be hard because you don't have someone who is in better shape make you work. If I am tired when running alone, I slow down. If I am running with someone you beat your *** I will not slow down. Haha. I started with 3 miles and have worked my way to marathons and now training for my first ultra marathon. I figure, if I don't have the leg speed yet lets go longer - you have to have goals. Maybe I am crazy and just see Jared do these things so easily that I am tricked into thinking there are no limits. If that is the case, I am glad I don't see any limits. I go into each training period thinking I have a chance to do something great.
I still haven't found a hobby. With running I found a lifestyle, a passion, a healthy life, and a community of people who are amazing. #irunfar
Goal 3-I set out to find people to run with. This was NOT an easy task. I couldn't find friends who wanted to run or had the drive to push through the pain. This is not a put-down, not everyone wants to do certain activities. I saw a guy at the gym who was always followed by a small group of runners. I finally got the courage to walk over to him and ask, "Could I run with your group of friends some time? I want to run and I am hating running every mile alone." The guy turned out to be Kevin Collins, a well-known local marathoner who has done umpteen amounts of amazing things in the running community - Three-time U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier, #3 marathoner in the U.S. in 2003, and #1 American finisher in the 1996 Boston Marathon just to name a few. He ran a run club at the gym and I joined. I found a group of people who loved to run, pushed one another and supported one another. Kevin gave me the basics on training and gave advise when I needed it. The next race I ran was a half marathon and I loved every single moment of the training and the race.
I haven't stopped running since. I have met so many wonderful people while running. I met my boyfriend and his friends too. I haven't trained with a group in a long time and I find pros and cons with running alone. Training myself is a task too but I enjoy seeing what I can do and figuring out what my body can handle. I've gotten to the point where running is fun, running a daily run is not as difficult as it was. I like to run in nature and have some time to myself and think about things – work out issues, make plans for the future and pretend I am a podium finisher at my next race - lol. Running alone can be hard because you don't have someone who is in better shape make you work. If I am tired when running alone, I slow down. If I am running with someone you beat your *** I will not slow down. Haha. I started with 3 miles and have worked my way to marathons and now training for my first ultra marathon. I figure, if I don't have the leg speed yet lets go longer - you have to have goals. Maybe I am crazy and just see Jared do these things so easily that I am tricked into thinking there are no limits. If that is the case, I am glad I don't see any limits. I go into each training period thinking I have a chance to do something great.
I still haven't found a hobby. With running I found a lifestyle, a passion, a healthy life, and a community of people who are amazing. #irunfar