Part 6 Circling back to the beginning, I changed my life and became a runner

I never understood a runner’s high. I never understood why runners said they loved to run. But that was probably because I had never really tried to run. I’d sprint when necessary in sports and run when required to for school. But I had not learned how to run properly. Looking back now, I definitely did not give running a fair shot. It seemed painful and, honestly, unattainable for a slow-poke like me. But I had not looked at it through my athlete lenses like I should have to see that in order to do it well and enjoy it, it required learning, practice and commitment. I would have laughed at someone who thought they could just pick up a mitt, throw on gear and catch a full softball game behind the plate without any coaching, practice and commitment. I had spent years learning how to do that, which made me love playing catcher. So why did I always think running was just something people were born capable of or not? You either were a runner or you weren’t?

Over these past few years, I have spent the time learning, being coached, practicing and committing to the sport of running. I genuinely love to run. I experience runners high. I look forward to the next run I get to do. I have reaped the emotional and physical benefits running offers. I am here to tell you that running can indeed be for everyone. Take the time to learn, be patient with yourself, make mistakes, keep at it and I bet you’ll be amazed at what your body can do. I know I am. I changed my life and became a runner!