"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." - John Bingham
I have never considered myself to be a runner. Even though I grew up very active, I always managed to stay unfit. I played on a competitive soccer team for 5 years, yet I was never a good runner. My conditioning was always my biggest downfall. Coaches would hound me that I needed to get in better shape. I was always the slowest and the last to complete any runs.
I always told myself that I just didn't have a runner's body. I have short, stubby legs and it seemed it took me two step to match everyone's one. My body wasn't made for running. Oh how wrong I was! We are ALL made for running.
"Anybody can be a runner. We were meant to move. We were meant to run. It's the easiest sport." -Bill Rodgers
I may never run a four minute mile, but I am capable of running a mile...or two....or ten! Maybe if I knew that then, I would've been a better soccer player. Maybe more of my teammates would've wanted to be MY partner in drills. And maybe I could've played college ball. Instead, I sabotaged myself by telling myself I couldn't.
"Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're probably right." -Henry Ford
That quote is so true. I believed that running was something I couldn't do, and I was right. But once I changed my attitude and told myself that I could become a runner, I started running. And guess what, I didn't die!
I've been wanting to get in shape and start being healthy again for years. But for years, it would be...I'll start next week. Then that week would come and suddenly several months had passed by. That is why I am such a fan of the quote at the top of my blog: "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I started." It is something I've been trying to do for years....just work up enough courage to start.
The thing that finally did it for me was seeing this picture of myself. It at the end of December 2011 at a friend's wedding. I remember feeling really pretty that day and thought I looked good. A friend took some pictures and I was actually excited to see them. But when I saw this one, I wanted to cry. First I noticed how fat my arms looked and I was embarrassed that I looked to big without realizing it. Second was just noticing how much smaller Lance was. I'm the woman! I'm supposed to be the small one! I also suddenly noticed that my clothes were getting tight. Then I had to buy a few 1XL shirts, but I'd just tell myself it was the brand and that they were sized weird. But after this picture, I'd had enough. It was time for a drastic change.
And change I did! I did a complete 180 flip. I started eating a 1200 calorie diet, filled with vegetables, meats, and low calorie foods. I eliminated all junk, and I started going to the gym 6 days a week. I finally started, and as the weight started to come off, I became more and more committed.
I wanted to start running, but it was SO HARD for me. I've always HATED running. I struggled with it and completely loathed it. But I admired the people that were able to, and I wanted to be one of them. So I started running. At first I could only run a few minutes before I got too tired. Then I started running 1/2 mile after each workout. I remember the first time a ran a full mile. It felt so awesome and I wanted more! My goal was to run a half marathon sometime this year, so one mile was nothing!
So I started Couch to 5K program and completed that in 9 weeks. It is now April and last week, I ran 4.5 miles without stopping. My short runs are now considered 2 miles. I NEVER thought that I was capable of this. I remember looking at the girl on the treadmill next to me and watching her run 4 miles in awe. I wanted to be her and would've given anything. Now suddenly, I'm running similar distances.
Yes, I now consider myself a runner. Not because of how far I go, but simply because I run. I am still probably the slowest, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that I try. I may never place in a marathon, but I'm moving a whole lot faster than anyone sitting on a couch. It's the small steps that make a big difference, and if I can do this, ANYONE can!!
