Today is my 3rd Running Birthday. I started running on January 18, 2009. I’ve changed a little since I started running. I’ve lost 75 pounds (for a total of 150), run 6 half marathons, 5 marathons, a few other odd distances, and one 12 Hour race. It’s been a wild and fun 3 years! I’ve been very lucky and I’m incredibly grateful that I became a runner.
I’ve learned a lot in just 3 years and I know there is a lot more I need to learn, especially as I delve into ultrarunning. But the unknown of running doesn’t scare me anymore. It’ll come as I need it. Or I’ll learn from my mistakes. Hopefully. 😉
In no particular order…this is what I’ve learned from 3 years of running:
- I can do more than I think I can so do not set boundaries.
- It’s better to not “think” about what you have to do (whether it’s training or racing or big tasks in life/work), just do it.
- Running is as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. Simple soothes the soul, complicated makes it interesting.
- But running is not hard. Seriously.
- Patience & consistency are worth more than a flame and a burnout.
- Runners come in all shapes, sizes, and ages and you can’t tell by looking at someone how far or fast they can run.
- Tackling any distance begins with a single step. Take it.
- The running community will support, help, and push you if you need it.
- The scarier the challenge, the happier the finish.
- NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.
On Sunday, I went to watch a friend race in a local bike race and he introduced me to the others there as “This is Lisa, she’s a runner”. What’s funny is that I know him from the local bike shop and I would have thought he’d introduce me as cyclist to them. But no, my “identity” is runner now. Something that would have been inconceivable to me 3 years ago. Me? A runner? Impossible! But yeah, I’m a runner now. How cool is that?
