Keep on Running Keep on Running

I ran into a very inspirational friend this past week. She has lost over 100 pounds this past year. She is now a runner. When I saw her I was shocked. I had seen her off and on this past year and I knew she was losing weight, but wow the end results were really something to see! She looks healthy, younger, and happy. We had a fun chance to talk and she inspired me to start running again.

To back up a bit, approximately 1000 years ago, I used to run in high school, and then I ran a lot on my LDS mission when I had a companion who would also run with me. I fell of the wagon when I got home though, dated a not so nice man who didn't treated me like he should have (dumb me) and then I gained a bunch of weight. After all these years and talking to my runner friend, she said something incredible to me that I must share with you: She said "Chris if you want to be a runner again, do it...your body will remember." That really struck a cord with me as this is something we talk about in midwifery...the body remembers from one birth to the next. She said a whole lot of other things that were so wonderful that day. This kind friend also offered to be a mentor to me to help me get some much needed weight off my body and to encourage me to keep on running. We have been talking on the phone and emailing a lot. It has been incredible and her support and encouragement is invaluable to me.

I have to say that I am loving running again. I am taking it slowly as I am not in high school anymore and my body knows this, even though I don't! Each morning before my family gets up and I study for midwifery, I get on my running shoes and I work up a nice sweat and do something hard for me. It is a wonderful feeling to be challenging my body in this way.

If you ever wanted to be a runner, or if you used to be one and you thought you were too old, or too fat, or too late, don't think those thoughts anymore. Take it slowly, don't go out there and kill yourself, but set small attainable goals and each day keep on running and you will be surprised how much fun this really is. You will love it and your body will thank you for it.

I read a book by John Bingham called The Penguiun. He also has a great website at JohnBingham.com. This site is filled with inspirational information and it is all encouraging to the person who may not want to be a competitor at running, but just wants to run for health and fun. His writing style is easy and refreshing. This wonderful man did not start running until late in life and has now gone on to do incredible things. I hope he will encourage you as he has me.

Have a great day, and run run run!