Finding inspiration

In creating the curriculum for Ready, Set, Run! there are moments where I need inspiration. I have such a passion burning inside of me that wants to change kids' lives through running, but every once in awhile I need to fan the flame. This morning was one such morning. Now it is 2:30 and I am AMPED up once again. I'm so thankful for my sources of inspiration:

• Going for a run. Nothing gets the creativity and passion flowing better than this.
• Reading articles like this: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/1,7124,s6-243-297--9987-0,00.html
• Chatting with friends and colleagues, like my friend today, who coached middle school cross country for years and is FULL of stories of changed lives and excited runners.
• Running by a schoolyard where kids are playing outside for recess. Today's activity: kickball. Excitement level: HIGH!
• Watching my daughter play. Sure, she's far too young to be running, but her curiosity and endless supply of energy provide priceless motivation.

Loving through Running

As I sit here and work on the Coach's Manual for Ready, Set, Run! I keep coming back to the fact that we want to help kids love themselves more through running. I wanted to elaborate. One of the neatest things about running is that most of us are equipped to be “runners” as we are. There aren’t really any techniques we need to master, we don’t need to be an all-star athlete, there isn’t any expensive equipment we need to buy (yes, proper shoes are important...) Our bodies, as they are, have the capability of training to accomplish a goal. Farther than we often give ourselves credit for. This is the beauty of it.

I think that most people who have trained for a distance run (1k, 5k or a marathon) would say that at the beginning of the training, they never thought they'd be able to easily accomplish the end distance. I've seen it happen in my own training: first a 10k, then a half-marathon, then a full marathon. And I've seen it happen with friends- kids and adults alike. But as you follow your training regimen, stay disciplined in your efforts, you find yourself capable of achieving the end distance that seemed so impossible at the beginning. That power IS within each of us! It's such a beautiful realization that as a runner I truly wish everyone could (or wanted to!) experience.

And that’s what we want to show our kids. If they put their mind to accomplishing a goal, they CAN accomplish it. We may or may not attract the star athletes, but each runner in the program will be successful and learn about a strength that is within him or her.