Dare:
“I dare you to run a marathon and not have it change your life.”
Truth:
Running changes lives. It's definitely changed mine. It taught me that I am capable of so much more than I ever knew. And the changes are so much more than physical. Mentally and emotionally I am stronger, more confident, more determined and less afraid of taking risks – and that, is only the beginning....
You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great' - Zig Ziglar
Every runner’s journey is different. Mine began in High School. For the most part, I took up running as a way to stay fit, but soon I found that running gave me so much more. It was time spent with “me” --- just me, my music, my thoughts and the views along the way. It was time to let go and just be. As for that ever elusive “runner’s high” – yes, it’s a real thing. There are times that I lose complete track of time and place. I've zoned out on a run for so long, that my family has had to go looking for me. I do…I love running – I love getting lost in my own thoughts when I run; I love how strong, fast and powerful it makes me feel; I love the feelings of exhaustion and soreness afterwards and the renewed confidence and sense of accomplishment that accompanies them; and most of all, I love what it does for my body and mind – the way that running makes me look and the way that is makes me feel.
'It's not what you are that holds you back, it's what you think you are not.' - Denis Waitley
In 1998, I took my running obsession to a new competitive level. I joined Team in Training and trained for the Honolulu marathon. Although I was already running considerable distances (6-8 miles), it certainly didn't make the idea of running 26.2 miles any less daunting, believe me! I was nervous, uncertain, and wondering if I had gotten in over my head. No way I could run a marathon! However, every time I went out and conquered a new distance, my confidence grew, and the likelihood of actually finishing a marathon began to seem more plausible. I owe so much gratitude to my coaches, as I definitely know I could not have done it without them. Proper training and guidance were undoubtedly essential to my success – especially if I was going to run such a seemingly formidable distance! It was hard, don’t think that it wasn't, but it was also absolutely worth all the work and pain.
There is famous quote by Cicero that I say so often, it’s almost become a sort of mantra for me – “The greater the difficulty, the greater glory.” I found that despite the pain, the experience of reaching new limits was so exhilarating that I started wondering what else I could accomplish. I went on to do more and more marathons, as well as some races that were even longer than 26.2 miles. In 2002, once again training with Team in Training, I completed my first of two Ironman triathlons. Talk about daunting! The Ironman is a triathlon comprising of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and finishing with a 26.2 mile run (140.6 miles total) – to be completed in 17 hours. Honestly, till this day, I can’t even talk about the Ironman without getting choked up. Seriously, if you had asked me 20 years ago if I could have finished a marathon or an Ironman, I would have said, "you are insane - no way!" It's still surreal to think about.
She Believed She Could, So She Did.
My best friend wasn't much of a runner when I first met her. But I dared her to run a marathon, and she did. And it was …. amazing. Running had always been pretty easy for me, but it wasn't like that for her. She had to work hard. The day of her marathon, I ran the last 10 miles or so with her. When she crossed that finish-line, I was in tears because I knew what it had taken for her to get there. What a beautiful thing it was to witness. Another moment I can't talk about without getting choked up. I was so proud and so moved by her. Once she had decided to do it, she did. It’s inspiring moments like that which I hope to gain from this venture. Moments where I hope to inspire a trainee, and moments where the trainee inspires me, the coach.
"When you feel like quitting, think about why you started"
Running, for me, is like a metaphor for life. Like anything new (a job, a relationship, school) - you start off excited, yet unsure. You encounter some doubters, as well as find you have many that are cheering you on the entire way. Getting started can be challenging at first, and you even make a few mistakes along the way - maybe you start off too fast, don't pace correctly, push too hard - but practice makes perfect and eventually you find your groove. As you settle in, you suddenly find yourself moving along with confidence and ease - just cruising along and enjoying the ride. But as in life, nothing good lasts forever, and eventually you encounter obstacles...hills longer and steeper than any you've climbed before, fatigue, pain, even injury. In these moments, you want to turn back, you want to give up, you want to stop....but you don't...you don't because you know that if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other you will cross that finish-line - and when you do, you know your struggle and hard work will have been worth it. So you keep going, and you celebrate when you finish - not just because you finished...you celebrate because you realize that even though you feel tired and sore - you are truly stronger than you ever were before.
'Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.' - T.S. Eliot
It’s amazing what reaching a new goal - be it a marathon, a 5-K, setting a new personal record, etc. - does for your confidence. It sounds crazy, but it will make other things in your life seem less challenging. The moment you dare yourself to try something you deemed impossible, and then realize it never really was all that unattainable, is the moment you start to wonder what else you've held yourself back from accomplishing. No one really knows what they are made of. But if we are willing to take a chance, more often than not, we surprise ourselves and find out we are built even stronger than we ever gave ourselves credit for.
There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue those.' - Michael Nolan
I love running, I love racing, and love what this sport has given me. As a running junkie, I am often approached by people with questions about running, so it seemed only natural to get certified as a coach. Not only because I want people to see me as an experienced and credible source, but also because I hope to be able to inspire and motivate others to run.
Test your limits.
So, here I am with this little side business that I am trying to put together – this is my new “marathon.” I have no idea where it will take me or what it will bring, but I will certainly never know if I don’t try. YOU don’t know what you’re capable of either unless you’re willing to leap – so if you’re ready, take a chance on me. Hopefully, together, we will reach new distances. I double-dog dare you. ;-)
'The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.' - John Bingham
“I dare you to run a marathon and not have it change your life.”
Truth:
Running changes lives. It's definitely changed mine. It taught me that I am capable of so much more than I ever knew. And the changes are so much more than physical. Mentally and emotionally I am stronger, more confident, more determined and less afraid of taking risks – and that, is only the beginning....
You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great' - Zig Ziglar
Every runner’s journey is different. Mine began in High School. For the most part, I took up running as a way to stay fit, but soon I found that running gave me so much more. It was time spent with “me” --- just me, my music, my thoughts and the views along the way. It was time to let go and just be. As for that ever elusive “runner’s high” – yes, it’s a real thing. There are times that I lose complete track of time and place. I've zoned out on a run for so long, that my family has had to go looking for me. I do…I love running – I love getting lost in my own thoughts when I run; I love how strong, fast and powerful it makes me feel; I love the feelings of exhaustion and soreness afterwards and the renewed confidence and sense of accomplishment that accompanies them; and most of all, I love what it does for my body and mind – the way that running makes me look and the way that is makes me feel.
'It's not what you are that holds you back, it's what you think you are not.' - Denis Waitley
In 1998, I took my running obsession to a new competitive level. I joined Team in Training and trained for the Honolulu marathon. Although I was already running considerable distances (6-8 miles), it certainly didn't make the idea of running 26.2 miles any less daunting, believe me! I was nervous, uncertain, and wondering if I had gotten in over my head. No way I could run a marathon! However, every time I went out and conquered a new distance, my confidence grew, and the likelihood of actually finishing a marathon began to seem more plausible. I owe so much gratitude to my coaches, as I definitely know I could not have done it without them. Proper training and guidance were undoubtedly essential to my success – especially if I was going to run such a seemingly formidable distance! It was hard, don’t think that it wasn't, but it was also absolutely worth all the work and pain.
There is famous quote by Cicero that I say so often, it’s almost become a sort of mantra for me – “The greater the difficulty, the greater glory.” I found that despite the pain, the experience of reaching new limits was so exhilarating that I started wondering what else I could accomplish. I went on to do more and more marathons, as well as some races that were even longer than 26.2 miles. In 2002, once again training with Team in Training, I completed my first of two Ironman triathlons. Talk about daunting! The Ironman is a triathlon comprising of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and finishing with a 26.2 mile run (140.6 miles total) – to be completed in 17 hours. Honestly, till this day, I can’t even talk about the Ironman without getting choked up. Seriously, if you had asked me 20 years ago if I could have finished a marathon or an Ironman, I would have said, "you are insane - no way!" It's still surreal to think about.
She Believed She Could, So She Did.
My best friend wasn't much of a runner when I first met her. But I dared her to run a marathon, and she did. And it was …. amazing. Running had always been pretty easy for me, but it wasn't like that for her. She had to work hard. The day of her marathon, I ran the last 10 miles or so with her. When she crossed that finish-line, I was in tears because I knew what it had taken for her to get there. What a beautiful thing it was to witness. Another moment I can't talk about without getting choked up. I was so proud and so moved by her. Once she had decided to do it, she did. It’s inspiring moments like that which I hope to gain from this venture. Moments where I hope to inspire a trainee, and moments where the trainee inspires me, the coach.
"When you feel like quitting, think about why you started"
Running, for me, is like a metaphor for life. Like anything new (a job, a relationship, school) - you start off excited, yet unsure. You encounter some doubters, as well as find you have many that are cheering you on the entire way. Getting started can be challenging at first, and you even make a few mistakes along the way - maybe you start off too fast, don't pace correctly, push too hard - but practice makes perfect and eventually you find your groove. As you settle in, you suddenly find yourself moving along with confidence and ease - just cruising along and enjoying the ride. But as in life, nothing good lasts forever, and eventually you encounter obstacles...hills longer and steeper than any you've climbed before, fatigue, pain, even injury. In these moments, you want to turn back, you want to give up, you want to stop....but you don't...you don't because you know that if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other you will cross that finish-line - and when you do, you know your struggle and hard work will have been worth it. So you keep going, and you celebrate when you finish - not just because you finished...you celebrate because you realize that even though you feel tired and sore - you are truly stronger than you ever were before.
'Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.' - T.S. Eliot
It’s amazing what reaching a new goal - be it a marathon, a 5-K, setting a new personal record, etc. - does for your confidence. It sounds crazy, but it will make other things in your life seem less challenging. The moment you dare yourself to try something you deemed impossible, and then realize it never really was all that unattainable, is the moment you start to wonder what else you've held yourself back from accomplishing. No one really knows what they are made of. But if we are willing to take a chance, more often than not, we surprise ourselves and find out we are built even stronger than we ever gave ourselves credit for.
There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue those.' - Michael Nolan
I love running, I love racing, and love what this sport has given me. As a running junkie, I am often approached by people with questions about running, so it seemed only natural to get certified as a coach. Not only because I want people to see me as an experienced and credible source, but also because I hope to be able to inspire and motivate others to run.
Test your limits.
So, here I am with this little side business that I am trying to put together – this is my new “marathon.” I have no idea where it will take me or what it will bring, but I will certainly never know if I don’t try. YOU don’t know what you’re capable of either unless you’re willing to leap – so if you’re ready, take a chance on me. Hopefully, together, we will reach new distances. I double-dog dare you. ;-)
'The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.' - John Bingham
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