Running. Don't be a hater!

Hey guys. I just got in from a great run on this perfect 70 degree day in Orange County. If you don't live here, my apologies. While running, I couldn't stop thinking about how much I love to run, and I decided that I wanted to write this post about it. I hear from people all the time: "I hate running!" Let me say this, I hated brussel sprouts until I tried them. And perhaps more relevant, I hated swimming until I practiced it. I hated it because it was hard for me, I wasn't good at it, and I didn't want to take the time to work on it. I'm serious. It wasn't until an injury that kept me from running, that I finally sucked it up, got in the pool a few days a week, and learned how to swim. One year later, I like swimming and even did a triathlon.

Now, if you have no interest in being a runner, then by all means keep hating it. However, if you want to be a runner, you have to stop hating and talking about how much you suck at running, and just do it. My guess is, half of your problem is in your head. Let me tell you a story. A few years ago, my sister Piper and I signed up for a half marathon together. She hated running, really hated it, but wanted to be better and needed a little motivation. We would meet up regularly and run for as long as she could, and then walk until she felt like she could run again. At first we would run maybe 5 minutes and then walk the rest, then we got up to 10 minutes, then 20. On race day, I kid you not, Piper ran the first 6 miles of the race without stopping. I must have asked her 50 times... "Are you ok?! Do you need to walk?", and she would reply "I'm good! Lindsay... I'm fine!" She now enjoys running and does it regularly along with CrossFit (of course!).

So, let me ask you... do you want to be a runner? If your response is "Yes!", then this is my challenge to you: in the next week, RUN. I honestly don't care how fast or how far you go... just do it. If its to the end of your block, that's fine. If it helps you to listen to music, by all means, crank it up!

Before you head out, let me give you a couple of tips:

1. Let go of any expectations you may have of yourself. Put one foot in front of the other and just go.

2. Breathe. Start at a slow pace. Let your body get into a rhythm. Inhale and exhale.

3. Relax. I often see runners clench their fists and let their arms creep up by their chest. Your fingers should be loose and your hands should be down by your hips, like you are going to put them in your pockets.

4. Listen to your body. If you are gasping for air or your knee is killing you, slow down or walk for a bit... and don't beat yourself up about it. Remember... let go of expectations.

5. Enjoy it. Try to run outside, not on a treadmill. Look around you. Take in the sights and smells. I often like to let my mind go when I run. Sometimes I'm thinking about something specific, sometimes I think about nothing at all.

If your response to my question is "No. I don't want to be a runner", then this is my challenge to you: try it anyway. God gave you legs, and some day you may have to move them faster than walking pace, so give it a try. (Mom, you too. Your knees will be fine.) Again, it doesn't have to be far. Simply see what it feels like. It may not be as bad as you think.

Lastly, I would love to hear how it goes. So, if you take my challenge, email me. Call me. Leave a comment. Tell me in person. Where did you run? How did it feel? Was it as bad as you thought it would be? And, if you live in Orange County and would like to meet up with other runners or wannabe runners, a group of us is going to get together in two Sundays (February 13th). I am thinking we will meet at my house around 9am, warm up together and go for a run along Back Bay. There will be a longer distance and a shorter one. And as your reward, I'll cook you breakfast afterward. Now that is a good deal! Details will be posted at www.crossfitcostamesa.com, so stay tuned. Happy running!

"My time on this earth is limited. My actions don’t have to be. The opportunities are as wide and as open as I want them to be. The only limiting factor is my mind. Only I can defeat me." -CrossFit Lisbeth