As many of you know I’m in the middle of a running program. It’s one of those start small and work up to thirty minutes of running programs. It’s called “Run Your Butt Off”. If you’re interested in joining me you can get the info here.

Anyway, as I run I feel two things, suffering and inspiration. It’s tough to balance both but the inspiration is worth the suffering. I have asthma so it’s not always fun depending on the weather or temperatures, but I’m super happy that I don’t have to use rescue inhalers. I have more of a reactive airway and improved fitness always helps. Since I started Crossfitt I’ve built up the best anaerobic health I’ve ever had and that as made a huge difference in my running abilities.

So while I was running this morning, I was thinking about it and I decided I’ve actually learned quite a bit about myself and life while running (or trying to) over the years.

1. I’ve learned that running hurts. It hurts my lungs, feet, and joints. There is no way around it. If you are going to run your body will hurt. If it doesn’t you should run faster, you’re cheating.
2. I’ve learned running is hard. If it was not hard, more people would do it and less people would quit doing it. There is something in me that really loves doing stuff that is hard.
3. I’ve learned that no one can do it for you. If you want to be a runner, you will have to run. Your friend running will not count as you running. Showing up for a 5K without training is only going to work out a couple of times. After that you have to do it or you will not be able to do it. (Trust me the older you get the harder it is to fake it.)
4. If you run, you will grow. You will grow in fitness and courage. It takes discipline to put on running shoes and get out the door just to run up and down hills while trying to breath. I have felt like I’d rather take a punch to the face over a run. It would be over faster but I’d probably stay at the same fitness level. Personally, I want to grow. Growing is what life is all about.
5. I’ve learned that if you start doing it the right way, and learn how to run, it’ll be better. Starting slow and building up to longer and faster runs will make it hurt less and it will not be AS hard. If you just do it instead of taking the punch in the face, you’ll grow. In doing these things you can actually fall in love with running and will be able to whisper to yourself, “I am a runner.” This is the last thing I ever thought I’d learn from running.

I believe these things can be learned from many activities we put ourselves through that are hard. Anything that requires growth in order to improve, from relationships to fitness programs. The most important thing is to choose what means the most to you or what you want to accomplish and just do it and stick with it. Stay in the game. Sometimes it’s not about whether or not you get to the end the way you expected but it’s the traveling there that counts.