My Running Moment: Disneyland 2011

Note: This fall, the Ready, Set, Run! blog will feature a series of guest posts called “My Running Moment: _______.” This series of personal submissions will attempt to allow guest writers to share their personal running stories, with the hope that their running stories will be a source of great encouragement to those who read this blog. If you are interested in contributing, please email Jeanne (jnielson@nays.org). 

My Running Moment:  Disneyland 2011

Last September I ran my first ever half-marathon. I had never really thought about running for fun until I made the decision that in order to stay healthy I needed to start moving! As a former collegiate athlete I always ran because I had to stay in playing shape. When college ended I felt that I had done enough running for a lifetime. After a few years I realized that I had made an unhealthy decision. I was lethargic and unhappy.

While talking with some of my friends I found that they felt the same way. We decided that together we were going to change our habits. Our goal was to train together and hold each other accountable for healthy living. With that, our goal of running in a half-marathon was born and in September we traveled to the happiest place on earth and completed our first half-marathon. Since then, I have continued in my healthy choices and have been able to run in another half-marathon and even went so far as to run a full marathon!

How I Did It:

1. Partner Up – Find support from friends and family. Having training partners is wonderful. They keep you accountable to stick to a schedule. On days when you can’t run together call a friend/family member to say when you will start, when you want to finish, and what pace you want to run at; at the end of the run check back in to share your progress.

2. Set Realistic Goals – As I trained, I set many goals. I made sure that they were attainable and would motivate me on my journey. It is really easy to just think of an end result, but you have to plan on how to get there. Each time I met a goal I made a new one. You will be surprised at how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time.

3. Make It Fun – Yes, I ran with friends at Disneyland, but that is not the only fun that I had. I ran in my neighborhood, at the gym, and also found new places to run around my community. I would also play games while I ran. Not every run is easy so you have to make it fun! I would challenge myself to run through three songs or I would set distance challenges.

I started running to challenge myself to make better choices and to live a healthier lifestyle. I found out that I really enjoy it. It challenges me and makes me stronger physically and mentally. Like most things that are hard, they have lasting impacts. I didn’t only change part of my life I changed all of it. I have been able to apply the above three steps to other parts of my life with great success. When faced with a challenge at work or home I find a support group, set goals, and make it fun. Who knew that when I started this journey I would be rewarded with so much! My “running moment” has become a running lifestyle.

Kristie Birkenstock

lessons learned lately

Last Sunday, I ran the Chicago Half-Marathon, just a couple of months after having our second little girl.  For me, running 13.1 miles is no small challenge!  And, if I'm honest, I have to admit that I was a little bit nervous.  I wasn't sure how my body would respond to that distance.  I wasn't sure that I'd be ready for that kind of challenge.

As soon as my doctor cleared me to run after having the baby, I went after preparations for the race.  I stuck with it - running on days when I felt like running...and on days when I didn't feel like running.  I committed to eating healthy food, to support my recovery from pregnancy and my training for the race.  I slowly built up the mileage, in order to get ready for the full 13.1 miles.

On race day, an amazing thing happened: everything was GREAT.  The run went according to plan!  A dear friend ran with me, and we enjoyed a beautiful run along Lake Michigan on a cool, crisp, and clear Chicago morning.  I was so excited about how well it went!  But then I began to think...
I shouldn't be so amazed that the run went so well.  Now, of course, there are sometimes surprising injuries, cramps, and other things you can't prepare for during a race.  But, I trained diligently - and accomplished what I intended to.  I shouldn't have  been shocked; the race went well because I had put in the hours to get ready for it.  It went the way it was supposed to go...and that made it a lot of fun!

This experience in the past week has gotten me thinking, so I want to offer you a few lessons that I've been learning through running lately:

*CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Lets be honest--there are days when we don't feel like running.  The key for me was running on the "good" days...and the "bad" days.  Sticking with it.  Whether it's running, eating healthier, or making other positive lifestyle choices, the ultimate key is consistency.  Running, specifically, is about so much more than speed, strength, or natural ability.  More than anything else, running rewards those who just go out and do it - with consistent commitment.  I wasn't the fastest person in the Half-Marathon last week.  But the consistency of my preparation meant that I didn't have a "freak out" moment.  I enjoyed a run that was the result of consistent preparation.

*PATTERNS CREATE HABITS
Starting a new commitment is always hard.  Some days, it will feel like you're fighting every impulse in your body to get out for a run, or to say no to an unhealthy snack that isn't a part of your commitment to healthy eating.  This "battle" can go on for a while!  But, a commitment to new patterns in life starts to do something.  Over time, those patterns begin to solidify...and become regular parts of your life.  They turn into HABITS.  Running becomes just something that you do.  It's less of a battle, and more of a "normal" thing.  It takes time to get there, but that's the fruit of changing your patterns.  It does get easier!

*HABITS LEAD TO GROWTH
We've got to remember, too, that consistently setting patterns that turn into habits eventually leads to growth.  That's when things get really fun.  You run a race at a distance that you never thought possible.  You live with healthy choices like you never have before.  GROWTH happens.  And it's not a mystery!  Consistent commitment in the same direction will eventually lead to lasting habits, which will bring growth and accomplishment.  As you start the process of change, remember your end goal.  Go after it, and don't forget that your efforts are going somewhere!
Today, go after it!  Start being consistent about something you've been wanting to pursue - going for a run, changing eating habits, or pursuing a more active lifestyle.  Set some patterns, and enjoy watching those solidify into habits.  Then, get ready for growth.  That's the fun part!

My Running Moment: Chicago 2011

Note: This fall, the Ready, Set, Run! blog will feature a series of guest posts called “My Running Moment: _______.” This series of personal submissions will attempt to allow guest writers to share their personal running stories, with the hope that their running stories will be a source of great encouragement to those who read this blog.  If you are interested in contributing, please email Jeanne (jnielson@nays.org). 

 

My Running Moment: Chicago 2011

In October 2011, on a beautiful, warm, sunny day, I ran the Chicago Marathon.  It wasn’t my fastest marathon ever, and it certainly wasn’t my easiest one, but in some ways, it was the best one yet.  I ran that marathon as a mom of a beautiful 11-month-old, as a wife, and as an employee.  So, if this wasn’t my fastest or easiest marathon, what was so good about it?

1.      I ran because I love running.

 I obviously tried to do the best that I could, but as a 28-year-old mom, my finish time was not my first priority.  I ran for the fun of it.  I ran because I love using my body in a healthy way.  I ran because running is a great time for conversation with friends.  I ran because I enjoy getting up on Saturday mornings and going on long runs on the path by my house.  I ran because I love running with 45,000 other people through the streets of Chicago.  I ran, more than anything else, for the fun of it. 

2.      I set a goal and accomplished it.

Some goals in life are not as concrete as completing a marathon.  But a goal that includes completing a 26.2 mile race doesn’t leave much room for confusion: you either make it to the finish line, or you don’t.  Such a clear and focused goal is really very helpful- through the training, the discipline, and sometimes the fatigue.  But the bottom line is this:  the goal of the race (for me) was to finish.  And, while thousands of people finished ahead of me, and thousands more behind me, I felt the satisfaction of accomplishing that very specific goal. 

3.      The marathon was not an obsession, but a part of an already full life.

In the weeks leading up to the marathon, the race was certainly on my mind!  But, it wasn’t the only thing I was thinking about.  Raising a daughter, working a job, making dinner, being involved in our community… there are a lot of good things going on in my life.  Running is a joy, a breath of fresh air, and a gift; it is not an obsession.  I enjoy it most as it fits in to an already rich life. 

As you run, remember that – most of all – running is fun.  Set goals, do your best, and enjoy it!  That’s what I learned in my “running moment.”  I hope it’s helpful to you!