To run or not to run

I have always loved and played sports. My family is a huge sports family, all of the men played either football or basketball into the college level and my cousin is playing football NOW in Europe for the United States team! So to say sports has always been in my life… is an understatement.

I love what team sports brought to my life. It builds your character, it teaches you determination, hard word, to be competitive but be respectful. Acceptance that sometimes you can try your hardest, but there will be times when you still lose. It teaches you that even when you think you are the best, if you don’t watch your back someone better is coming right around the corner. Always be on your game. Real life scenarios. That is why I think it is important for all children to grow up and interact in team sports, whatever sport it may be.

Running. not so much. I never understood it or liked it one bit.

In high school, I was on the track team for 1 race. 1. then I went back to offseason basketball. The weird thing is, I played basketball my entire life. Where you are running. a. lot. Constantly. But I hated running. I loved team sports, workouts where you are thinking about so many other things that you don’t even realize you’re working out.

I have heard people say so many things about running for so long “Running is so relaxing, It is so freeing. blah blah blah” I thought they were freaking crazy.

Then, after high school I searched for so long for a consistent work out that I would enjoy, Something to give me the excitement and love that I had for basketball. I started running with two of my good friends a while back and now I understand. It was hard at first but the more I ran the easier it got. the more I ran, I wanted to beat my previous distance and the more I enjoyed it. It relaxes me and brings me peace. It allows me to be alone with my thoughts. I NEVER thought I would ever say that.

so it started as being just for fun and to get in shape but now I am training for my first race! I am lucky to have a great friend to do it with, we are going to start small – a 5K in August. and a 10K in September. But eventually, I want to run a marathon!

So for now I will admit, I like to run. (Gasp!) I wouldn’t consider myself a runner. so If any of you runners out there have any websites, or advice to offer it would be much appreciated!

Going to go run now :)