What Running Has Taught Me

So, guess what? I started running. 

It’s my new hobby. (I own so many more pairs of sneakers??) I never knew how much I would absolutely love running. But, I do. I adore running. I tried for years to be a “runner,” and it never worked for me. I would hop on the treadmill after my Pilates class to get some cardio in for the day, my side hurting and my lungs out of breath. I couldn’t do it. I would stop mid-mile and walk again. I couldn’t run a mile without stopping – and I wasn’t out of shape?

What changed? My mindset. In July, I set out on a new career. Of course, I added stress (which helped, sadly), but I also said to myself that I was going to try running again – and I didn’t look back. I didn’t really ask myself if I wanted to do it. I didn’t really halfway “try” it when I set out to do it. I straight-up put on my gym shorts and tennis shoes one day in my neighborhood and said to myself, “you’re going to run a lap around the neighborhood without stopping.” No options. The quality about me being hard on myself? Well, I guess sometimes that comes in handy…I am my trainer.

So through this new “hobby,” I’ve learned a lot. My dad was an athlete and a coach; my sister was a basketball star. My nephew quarterback of his high school football team. Sports runs in my family, and the more I compete in running (ok, I’ve run one race, but whatever), the more I realize how good it is for the soul. There are so many lessons to learn – and they relate to life.

Don’t Stop Trying.

Like I said, I tried running for years. If I hadn’t decided to try it again one day, I might never have known how much I liked it and my aptitude. And it goes back to life in general, don’t stop trying. Anything.

Change Your Mindset.

Negativity gets you nowhere. By simply reshaping your mind (tricking it, perhaps?), you have the ability to do anything better. Most things accomplished by people are completed because they had their mind in the right place. It’s also what keeps me going from one mile to the next. Someone who runs a lot told me, “once you get past three miles, it’s more about mindset than ability.” My mom says it’s the same thing with cancer.

Keep Pushing. 

When I ran my first race, two 10-year-old boys ran by me just when I was about to give out. They yelled, “keep pushing!” and I don’t think I’ll ever forget that. Relates to life? Heck yeah. I’ve been knocked down about 500 times now, and every time I pick myself back up. Race isn’t over yet.

Never Give Up. 

Which leads me to my favorite saying. I once wrote a college entrance paper and in the paper I started it with the quote by Winston Churchill. Nearly 20 years later, it’s ironic given all the trials I’ve been through with family illness, personal matters and so on. I repeat it in my head while I run, and it keeps me heading towards that next mile (along with Warren G and French Montana, of course).

Running, as cliche as it is, has been so much more to me than just running. In a way, it’s a tribute to my dad (who coached track). But, it’s really taught me to just keep going. >>>Every day, I keep moving forward, pressing on. Every month, I set a new goal – a new mile. My next goal is a 10k, but my friend tells me I could easily do a half marathon. I think it’s possible, depending on my mindset. But even if I only end up at five miles, I have already accomplished so much more than I ever thought possible.

Tell me. Have you tried something new you never thought you could do?