Open letter to all my runner/jogger/walker friends

Dear Runner/Jogger/Walker Friends (or those who are aspiring to be)

GOOD JOB!  I am proud of you.  You are doing something to better yourself.  You are enjoying nature. Whether you run in the country or in the city or a combo of both. Whether you run for fitness or fun you are great!  Whether you run in shoes or not KEEP UP THE AWESOME WORK!  If you are aspiring to run and are just starting your journey, let me tell you something, you will become addicted, you WILL not stop.  You will at some point during a run want to give up but a little voice somewhere will say, just keep going.  Go one more block, go one more min, go one more song and just do it (I really am not a nike fan.)  No matter how old you are this is an activity anyone can do.  You are the only one holding you back.  Whether you fall behind because of work, injury, or sickness.  Don't worry you can take a break.  You can go at your own pace!  You can run by yourself or with a group.  It is a sport for all and it welcomes all!  Sometimes the field is a little crowded, but you know what that means there are that many people on your side cheering you on!  Running is a sport that brings out the best in people!  Just remember where you started and remember where you are going.  You are bettering yourself with every step you take.  You will feel like you can't do something, but just remember the week or month before.  Remember when you could only run 1 min at a time or run 1 mile at a time.  Slowly (or quickly) that builds now you are up to 5 min or 20 min or 2 miles, 5 miles maybe even 20 miles maybe you even ran a marathon!  GOOD FOR YOU!!!  No matter what remember you can always go faster, go slower and there is always water when you need it!

I started running when I was in my 20s because I felt gross about myself. I could barely walk up a mountain without stopping every 10 feet.  I didn't have the cardio skills to keep up with my friends.  Eventually I got out there and started slow.  Started reading up on running and jogging.  I started setting goal.  Today I will run for 2 min and walk for 1 min.  Today I will run around the track once and walking once. That turned into running twice and walking once. Which eventually turned into running a whole mile around the track.  At that point a 5k was my goal, just running those 3.1 miles.  At one point I had a goal of running up a certain hill.  I love crushing hills now.  After about 8 years of running my goal was to run and finish a full marathon.  I did it...as crazy as it was...I did it.  I am happy I did it.  I honestly wanted to pass out, and kill who ever it was who gave me such a crazy idea, but I did it.  I honestly don't think I would put my body through 26.2 miles again, but the half marathon would be fine.  The point is I am not an athlete by any means. I never was.  I did it though and YOU CAN TOO!  YOU ARE ALL GREAT! As you friend I AM PROUD OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!  Keep up the good work.

Andy - The Barefooted Genius