One of my favorite things about Stroller Warriors is that we truly do welcome and include all levels of runners from beginner to experienced; from just getting off the couch to being an ultra marathoner. We welcome everyone with open arms and a warm smile. We might however, encourage you to join us in our ‘fun’ runs and races and you just might get bitten by something I like to call the running bug.
The running bug bit me while I was a young Stroller Warrior at our mother chapter, SW Camp Lejeune. There I participated in 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and even one marathon. As I look back on my running career I’ve realized something very important and interesting. Someone else believed in me first. Someone else saw potential in me and encouraged me to reach for something big. My husband is one of those people in my life, always supporting me and encouraging me along my way but there have been countless other Warriors who have done the same thing for me. They saw potential in me and encouraged me to start running, to do my first race or first half and what do you know, I could do it!
The running bug bit me while I was a young Stroller Warrior at our mother chapter, SW Camp Lejeune. There I participated in 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and even one marathon. As I look back on my running career I’ve realized something very important and interesting. Someone else believed in me first. Someone else saw potential in me and encouraged me to reach for something big. My husband is one of those people in my life, always supporting me and encouraging me along my way but there have been countless other Warriors who have done the same thing for me. They saw potential in me and encouraged me to start running, to do my first race or first half and what do you know, I could do it!
I started a non- runner and right now my favorite race distance is the ultra distance. Why? Well, you get more bang for your buck. Entries into ultras are often $45-$65 dollars where as entries for some of the half and full marathons I’ve done have been $130-$210. So if you do the math of how much you’re paying per mile, the ultras are a much better deal. I also love that ultra marathons are usually on trail so you get to see things that can only be seen on foot. No car can take you there! Plus you get the experience of pushing yourself and finding out just what you are made of. Many people hear about ultra marathons and have a gut reaction of I could never do that. Or you’re crazy!
I totally understand these kinds of reactions because there was a point in my running career where I probably would have agreed. The truth however, is we all evolve and grow over time. The directions that we change and grow in are a direct result of the people we choose to associate with and how we choose to spend our time.
I totally understand these kinds of reactions because there was a point in my running career where I probably would have agreed. The truth however, is we all evolve and grow over time. The directions that we change and grow in are a direct result of the people we choose to associate with and how we choose to spend our time.
Angel, Debbie, Amber and me! Take me for example. I never would have been an ultra marathoner if it wasn’t for my husband and my fellow Warriors Angel, Amber and Debbie. My husband and I had been toying with the idea of doing an ultra but had never pulled the trigger. So when Debbie started talking about one she was thinking of doing at a workout I was interested. We talked it up with fellow Warriors and of that bunch Amber and Angel said and they were interested too. Then we found out that Debbie was intending to do a 50MILE race –I had only been talking about the 50 Kilometer race! So all of the sudden 50k (31 miles) doesn’t seem so bad compared to 50 miles. My mind shifted and I thought, well if Debbie can do 50 miles, I can definitely do a 50k. Throw great training partners in the mix and you get a lifetime of positive memories and slew of running accomplishments.
This scenario doesn’t just happen with me and it doesn’t just happen with crazy distances. The same thing happens for 5ks and 10ks, halfs and full marathons, triathlons and duathalons. It even works with trying to improve your pace or your cadence or whatever your running goal is. When your friends, your warriors, believe in you, you start to believe in yourself and once you believe you can, you CAN and you will.
So I challenge you to believe in yourself and believe in your fellow Warriors. Because when you believe you can, you’re right. It just takes one person to broaden your horizons and make something you previously considered impossible, possible.
Happy Running!
Kelly
This scenario doesn’t just happen with me and it doesn’t just happen with crazy distances. The same thing happens for 5ks and 10ks, halfs and full marathons, triathlons and duathalons. It even works with trying to improve your pace or your cadence or whatever your running goal is. When your friends, your warriors, believe in you, you start to believe in yourself and once you believe you can, you CAN and you will.
So I challenge you to believe in yourself and believe in your fellow Warriors. Because when you believe you can, you’re right. It just takes one person to broaden your horizons and make something you previously considered impossible, possible.
Happy Running!
Kelly
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