One Foot in Front of the Other

My "Buff", it's fleece and has air holes for breathing, it's awesome!

This afternoon Wenzyl and I pumped out a 3 mile run.  The temp was a beautiful 28 degrees, and it was slightly overcast.  I enjoyed listening to the snow crunch beneath my shoes and the loud noise they would make whenever I hit pavement due to the sheet metal screws on my soles.  This little "trick" (Thank you Daleri) is a great way to give yourself some traction during the winter months! 

Wenzyl and I getting ready to head out the door

As I was running I was thinking about who was going to join me this year and "Run With Reason".  I thought to myself, how can I get people to start running who have never ran before. How can I encourage those that aren't "runners" to commit to start such a "task".  How can I motivate others to make this amazing change in their life, to give them the courage and the motivation to sign up for either a 5k, 10k, half or full marathon, and to raise money for a good cause?  Then I came up with an idea.  I realized that I can't do this on my own.  I need help, I need other runners to tell their story, to give hope to new runners, and to show their support!  We all have a story of what it was like when we first started running.  None of us, just woke up one day and ran a 5k with ease, or a half or full marathon.  It took a lot of hard work and determination.   My story is actually located on this blog, (under Running With Reason).  I want people to know that ANYONE can run, anyone can cross a finish line.  It's a personal goal that shouldn't be compared to anyone else.  You can do it! 

I get this comment way too often, "I can't run, I would NEVER be able to keep up with you" or  "I would fall over, I can't even run to my mailbox."  I understand that are certain things that may keep someone from running; asthma, joint issues, etc.  Although I do know runners that suffer with these things, and they STILL get out there and put one foot in front of the other.   Basically what it comes down to is, a choice.  The choice to dedicate yourself to a running program.  The choice to have faith in yourself!

Often times people label me as "crazy".  "How could you possibly enjoy running 13.1 or 26.2 miles??"  "I would rather die!"  It's hard to explain what it's like to accomplish such an amazing thing, it's hard to get someone to realize how wonderful you really do feel after doing something like a marathon.  Just to give you an idea.  My first full marathon, at mile 22, I broke down crying.  NO, it wasn't because I was in pain or the fact that I couldn't feel my legs anymore, it was because I was full of JOY!  I had come this far, ME, and only me!  I pushed myself and I am almost to the finish line!  I kept thanking God and praying for strength as I neared the end.  Once I crossed the finish line, again, I broke down in tears, tears of joy!  I looked back on all the hard work that I put in over the past few months, all of the hours of training, the amazing friendships that have been built, the memories, the laughs, the pains, the chiropractor appointments.  All of these things overwhelmed me and I just broke down.  Then after all of these feelings, the "runners high" made its entrance.  The infamous "runners high", yes it's true, it exists and I believe (as well as Miss Tara Hallie believes) it should be illegal!  Thank goodness it's not!  I could go on and on about how amazing I believe running is... that's where I need your help! 

Please, if you're reading this and you are a runner, tell us your story.  If you're a new runner, please let us know!  We'd love to hear from you!  Comment on Facebook so everyone can see it.  Lets motivate our fellow community members, and start "Running with Reason!"    

Happy Running Everyone!