Tribute Sunday ~ Running!

This definition made me laugh...

"Marathoning: The triumph of desire over reason." ;-)

26.2 Reasons I'm Training for and Running a Marathon!

1 ~  To break through intimidation and excuses, knowing that I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength! :)

2 ~  It'll be cool to finally have a race number that says "Full Marathon!"  Not to mention the 26.2 sticker on my car!! =)

3 ~ Outdoor training runs at LaFortune and Riverside are invigorating, and actually something that I really enjoy!  (Better than treadmilling, but that can be fun too, depending on what's on TV.)

4 ~  As much as I don't typically enjoy the act of running, I know that I am happier and more energetic and feel more alive when I am training and working toward a goal!

5 ~ Almost every race you enter is also helping to raise money for a good cause, so it's not just good for you, but for others as well!!

6 ~ Running with friends who don't stop to walk forces you to push yourself and catch up so you can stay in the conversation!  And there is a great feeling of accomplishment every time I push myself to go farther or run longer than I thought I could!

7 ~ For the joy of getting the Finisher's Medal placed around my neck after the race!  And the joy of knowing for the rest of my life that I ran a full marathon!

8 ~  For the victorious post Finish Line pictures! =)

9 ~  Because life is a marathon. It requires endurance and is full of ups and downs, and it is all about having goals, taking it one step at a time, and keeping your eyes on Jesus (our finish line). So many metaphors and spiritual parallels, and it gives me so much blogging material! ;)

10 ~ Seriously, almost everyone I know is a runner... so there is motivation and positive peer pressure to join the club and be part of memorable race events!

11 ~ Because sometimes you get to see ducks or precious dogs along the way! =)

12 ~ You get a fun race T-shirt that you can wear with pride for years to come! :)  Or have made into an awesome quilt. ;)

13 ~ Because stretching and walk/jogging and talking about life with friends is a far better use of my time than watching reruns or facebook or blogging!

14 ~ I love the Saturday morning Riverside runs followed by Old School Bagel breakfast with friends! =)

15 ~ To accomplish something that only 0.01% of the world ever finds the motivation and discipline to do. To press through the hard parts and follow through on my committment and finish the race!!

16 ~ To be part of fun little racing events with friends!

17 ~ To "build my best me." =)  Seriously, I think running builds muscle and good habits and inner strength and confidence!!

18 ~ For the camaraderie you build during training runs and the new friendships you build during the actual race. Aside from being too out of breath, the conversation with other runners comes easily and is often inspiring!
19 ~ I seriously love wearing the cute runner's jackets and really feeling like a runner!

20 ~ Running is a safe and inexpensive sport that can be done almost anywhere at any time... it takes “I can’t” and other excuses out of my vocabulary!

21 ~ Weight loss -- to seriously train and cross-train to get ready for a marathon will significantly help me toward my weight loss goals... and running is the fastest and most effective way to burn calories!!  I lost half my weight training for the half, so this time... I'm going all the way! =)

22 ~ Getting to slap the blue marker every time we finish a 5k run around LaFortune Park! =)

23 ~ For the increased self-confidence and the beauty of the "runner's glow," as I like to call it!  It's better than anything I can buy at the makeup counter! :)

24 ~ The excitement of the starting line on race day... your adrenaline pumping, full of nervous anticipation. Then the gun and the confetti, and off you go!

25 ~ It helps me to naturally incorporate a more healthy lifestyle (like drinking more water and eating less sugar)... because I know it makes the running easier!

26 ~ Family pride... it's motivating to know that my parents and sister and aunts and cousins and nephews will all be cheering me on, proud of what I'm doing... that helps make all the long training runs worth it!

26.2  ~ When you can see the finish line in sight and you know you have made it, and the crowds are packed and screaming at the tops of their lungs, and you know that God is smiling down at you and your family and friends are cheering you on... it's an awesome feeling!  No matter how tired you are, you will float through the finish line with a smile! =)

YAY, running!!  I'm inspired today.  And I'm committed enough to keep going when that feeling fades!  You'll notice I've added the 2012 Marathon Training widget to the side of my blog.  I am keeping track of all the miles that I walk or jog in training this year!  (Not counting anything on the bike or elliptical.)  Just having that there has been motivating for me.  I'm excited to see how many miles I've run by the race and by the end of this year! 

I will run with perseverance and finish the race with joy!! ;)