Lessons I learned from training/running:
- Even a short run makes a difference.
- There were so many days when I felt like not running at all. But making that small effort to go every day and run even one mile helped me.
- Nobody is perfect.
- Even if I did miss a day of running it didn't mean it was the end of the world. Yes the next run was a little harder, but I could still do it. If you miss one day of running, don't let that stop you. Pick-up the next day and just keep going.
- Running is free therapy!
- Life is stressful . . . pounding the pavement/treadmill helps. :)
- Find somebody to hold you accountable.
- I not only had my running buddy (who I desperately needed), but I also had my friends who were runners. They had heard that I started running and would ask me how my runs were going. I also had my school district. We started a "Healthy Changes" program and I signed up for it. I had to report to somebody in the district weekly to tell them how I did. I felt foolish if I had to tell them I didn't run that day, so I made a point to do it.
- Anybody can run.
- I have never been one for running (unless it was in a sport). But the more I ran the more I loved it. I was the last person I ever thought would enjoy running. I was that kid in high school who HATED running the mile and would pretend to be sick to get out of running it (*Note for the kids reading this, it doesn't work. You will still have to run it eventually). My fastest mile in high school was 14:13. Now, my fastest mile is 10:42. So, if I can run YOU most definitely can run!
This change has been such a blessing and improvement in my life! I feel better emotionally, mentally, physically, and even spiritually. My mind is clearer and quicker! I'm excited to see how much longer I can go with this!
