My Inspirations

To me, running is not an easy sport. It takes a lot of work, sweat, discipline, and time. I could not do it without others helping me. There have been many who have inspired me and pushed me to do what I never thought I could do. Even watching "The Biggest Loser" has given me motivation to run further, but there will always be a certain few who have given that extra shove I needed to commit to something like running a marathon.

My running coach, Nancy, has had a huge affect on me. I consider her a friend but look up to her as an amazing athlete. When I started running with her and the group she leads at our gym, I was barely running a mile at a time. The training and encouragement she has given, as well as the discipline she has shown have helped me physically like no one else could.

One of our family friends ran the Disney marathon this past Januaury and wrote an inspiring story about it when he returned home. Joe parralled the trials he had faced in his life that year to the trials he faced in his race. I held back tears as I read it, knowing a lot of the things he had gone through that year, and being so excited for him to finish the race he fought so hard to finish. He may not know what an impact that story had on me, but it may have given me the final push I needed to commit myself.

My family has always been my biggest supporters. I always call them excitedly when I have reached a new distance or milestone. Yesterday after the race, my 4 year old son, Noah, told me he was sad that I did not win the race!! How cute! Daddy explained to him that not all races are about coming in first, but about finishing and pushing yourself to accomplish your goals. Michael, my husband, has no desire (yet) to run long distance, but said he wished he could have been with me as I crossed the finish line yesterday. We are planning on getting him a bike so that he can be with me during the many hours of training that I will be doing.
I am looking forward to seeing all my family including my husband, children, mom and her hubby, mom-in-law and hopefully a few others at the finish line of the marathon.

My motivation for exercising has always been to keep my body in the shape it needs to be to live a healthy, active lifestyle. I have three young children to love, take care of, and play with. That is motivation enough! As a Christian, I have always believed that the Lord would have you to take care of yourself. You can work harder for Him if you have taken care of your health in everyway that you can.

So, who are your inspirations?? I would love to hear from you.