Throughout our lives we go through many different transitions, school, work, shoe sizes, places we live, people we know. When you begin running or walking you start on a journey which can change your life. In the beginning each mile is a victory, you are excited as you test yourself at 1 mile, 2, 3, 4 miles. You become comfortable enough to sign up for a race where you go and have a great time.
The miles continue to add up and you test yourself with a 10k, you contemplate doing a half, you keep training and it is exciting when you hit that double digit of 10 miles the first time. You learn things along the way, what are the right shoes for you, how to dress for all types of weather, your most comfortable pace, how to push yourself and when to take a rest day. You make new friends who are willing to head out with you at “zero dark hundred” on a weekend morning to do your long workout. You find trails to run on and routes you didn’t even know existed in your community. You take your running or walking gear with you when you travel and ask at the hotel, “where can I run or walk here” or “do you have a treadmill?” Your language now includes words and phrases like “PR”, long run, interval, pace, 5k, 10k, half and chafing. Your attempt to eat healthier, sleep more and really do take better care of yourself, the last thing you want to do is to be sick and miss a run.
Anytime you make a change in your lifestyle it can be hard but when you make a positive change for your health and wellness, you win in the long run. Yes it is hard to give up those late Friday and Saturday nights so you can get up early for your long workout. Yes, it is hard to get past those first aches as you push your body to first get off the couch and then to go further or faster. Yes, there is a learning curve to see what clothes are best, shoes, socks, time of day to run or walk and find your pace. BUT all this is worth it in the end as you feel better, clothes fit better, your health improves, you have more energy and have adjusted your lifestyle to put your health first.
Yes transitions are hard, but you are worth making the changes to help you be the best you!