Sometimes I joke that I hate running.
And not just because I have to go out in the rain or cold.
And not just because it takes away time that I could be sitting on the couch and drinking beer.
I hate it because it changed my life forever.
How Running Changed My Life
When Couch-to-5K consisted only of an HTML table of timed intervals and long before this blog existed – I hated running.
But eventually, I learned to run.
And then, I learned to love it.
I began writing constantly about running.
I became a coach.
And now, I help others who start out hating running.
To be honest, I didn’t think much of my transformation at first. It wasn’t until it started seeping into other parts of my life and my beliefs, that I took notice.
Every time I encounter something that:
- I know nothing about,
- Have no idea how to start,
- Don’t think I will like,
- and am ready to disregard
I am reminded.
I am reminded that at one point, running was that for me.
Running scared me. It made me feel inadequate and I had no idea how to start doing it. I disregarded and even attacked it for years to hide my insecurities about it. And now it’s an amazing part of my life.
Running is my proof-positive.
I can’t discard anything now.
I can’t let fear be an excuse.
Running has taught me that if I am open, great things can happen.
So, if you’re scared; if you hate it; if you’re “just not cut out for it” – that’s OK.
You’re in good company.
Now be ready to take that one step forward.
Love this! I think many runners hated running at one point in time – Myself included. But I’ve never carried that thought further to: Maybe I could learn to love other things I don’t currently like at all…
My running life lesson: You’re stronger than you think.
Great lesson and very true!
I never hated running since I did cross country in middle school, but there were and are definitely days I don’t want to run and either force myself to or just don’t. And as that famous saying goes: you never regret a workout (run for us)!
Nice, I love that!