My Love-Hate Relationship with Running (+ a CHALLENGE for you!)

I started running in high school because I was an athlete and running was an essential part of my training. I lived in Maryland, trained all throughout the winter and had your classic love-hate relationship with running.

I hated it because, well, I hated it.

But I loved it because when I committed to it and did it, there was no denying how it increased my performance.

Flash forward to my mid-twenties and, suddenly, I couldn’t even run two blocks — despite my athletic background. Determined to prove to myself that I “still had it” — I showed up for a 10K without training a single day — and do you know what happened?

I ran the whole thing. 

Propelled by the collective energy of the crowd, the camaraderie of the community, and the whole vibe of race day — I finished 6.2 miles.

That post-race high caught my attention — so much so that I signed up for the Nike Women’s Half Marathon at the finish line. And even though I still didn’t LOVE running, I loved the feeling I got on race day.

I loved the energy.

I loved the crowds.

I loved the community of runners cheering one another on.

And I loved how accomplished I felt when the race was over. This feeling is what led me to train for and complete SIX half marathons over the years… even though I didn’t love running.

Then when I found this program and got such ridiculous results working out from home for 30-minutes a day — I legitimately got in the best shape of my life and realized I didn’t have to run.

Did you catch that? I didn’t have to.

The language and the mindset behind why I ran all those years? It was to lose weight and to burn calories. For so long, the reason I was forcing myself to do something I hated was because I believed it was the only way I could effectively lose weight, burn calories and stay fit. Can you believe that?

So — when I didn’t need to burn any more calories or find ways to lose weight because my at-home fitness routine was checking all the boxes (and I actually LOVED doing it) — I realized that I never wanted to run again.

Or so I thought.

In March of this year, I tried a new program completely focused on running. I know, I know — why would I subject myself to a running program if I HATED running?

Since, some of the things I pride myself on is being a student, being open to new things and being teachable — I said yes and jumped in.

Sure – I may have done it begrudgingly — but I did it nonetheless.

AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH RUNNING — for real this time.

I fell in love with sunrise runs on the beach.

I fell in love with evening runs after a long day.

I fell in love with running while praying, meditating, and giving thanks.

I fell in love with it all. Suddenly, I wasn’t running because I was trying to lose weight or burn calories or punish myself for living life… I was running because I actually enjoyed it.

And the best news? I’m doing this SAME PROGRAM again starting November 1st AND I’m inviting you to do it with me.

So whether you love running or not — I want you to do this with me.

Whether you can run a block or a mile or a marathon — OR NOT — I want you to do this with me.

Why? Because I want you to catch a glimpse at the power of community through running. I want you to see how running is a metaphor for life — hard, but absolutely WORTH IT. I want you to know that you can do hard things.

And I want to do it together.

So — here’s how it’s going to work.

On November 1, we’re going to start a little “couch to 5K” type training program — TOGETHER.

No matter where you live. No matter where you are. No matter what your experience with running is or isn’t.

And then on Saturday, November 27 we’re running a virtual 5K together as a COMMUNITY. 

Are you ready to jump in with me?