Some Inspirational Runners

One small change in one’s life opens a vista of new possibility; but as with most endeavors, one needs inspiration to stay the course.

In addition to exergaming, running has become an integral part of my weekly plan. I actually work around my thrice weekly runs, and make sure appointments, drop offs, pick-ups, and everything else allows for the 1-2 hour set asides. I am self admittedly not fast, but I am consistent and persistent.

Originally all of my running was in solitude. I liked it that way. I still do. It gives me time to zone out, meditate or think projects through depending on the day. Generally I think of it as my time with G-d.

But over the last few months, running has become more of a community for me. There are a lot of people who run around here. You just need to know to listen for folks talking about it. It’s as though one becomes more attuned to certain phrases or notes when one opens up the possibility of a new chord in one’s life.

We all need heroes. Women who run here inspire me. I look forward to hearing their stories, and they make me smile when I see them on the roads. They’re all fabulous moms and ladies. Each of them has their own story. Here is a bit of how these women's relate to mine:

K, like all of these local women, is phenomenal. She balances kids, a household, everything else, and she runs….like the wind. Actually, all of these women are fast, graceful and somewhat like gazelles. She introduced me to my favorite 10K route, K’s 10K. She’s run multiple marathons and talks about it as though we all can…and I’m actually beginning to believe that that is the case. Without her, I definitely would not. I look forward to seeing her on runs, and ask her advice on anything she’s willing to discuss.

D gets us all out there moving our asses. She’s a ring leader and a sweetheart under her knee socked power running exterior. She’s definitely someone I’d want in my zombie combat unit.

H brings grace to everything she does. She’s like a ray of sunshine gliding along the mountain roads.

J was one of my first running heroes, and continues to amaze me. She is a brick 4+ miler plus other workouts wonder woman. I am generally in awe of her stamina and consistency. And she bakes. Well. And she’s a sweetheart.

MG is our sideliner for now. Before having her second child recently, she was winning her age catagory while 7 or 8 months pregnant. Just...wow. Right?!

E is a true anchor woman. She keeps it all together and tells us to shut up or put up to get out on the roads regardless of weather. I could see her strapped to the side of a mountain impasse with wind, snow and ice swirling around her and she’d keep going and convincing the rest of us to do it too.  I love running with her and appreciate it that in order to discuss life, class and the latest episodes of The Real Housewives, she slows waaaay down to keep pace with some of us.

T began running a few months ago with a Couch to 5K app on her cell phone. She’s come a looong way, Baby. She, E and I ran a little more than 8 miles last Sunday. She and I generally pace each other, but I’m admittedly the happy geriatric turtle of the bunch. Last Sunday, she ran ahead for the final 2 miles and I was so impressed as I watched her power up the final hills.

These women are some of the best of us, but we all have it in us to get out there. Whether a gazelle or geriatric turtle, we can all excel.

Who inspires you?