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May 12, 2005
Spread the Running Love
In the past couple of weeks I have gotten three e-mails from people who I think are running (at least a little bit) because I run. They are from three different places I have worked.
To paraphrase:
1) I completed the marine corps marathon last fall and it was amazing. I wanted to write and thank you for encouraging me to do it. I don't think I'll do it a second time-but I have started running shorter distances again!
2) You’d have been very proud of me. Last Wednesday I ran 5 miles with some work folks in 45 minutes! I’m part of a running group at work. No marathons in my future, but I think I’m ready for another 5k or 10k. [He ran his first 10K on a work team I helped organize and he ran a 5K with me as well].
3) I am thinking of training for the marathon-but first the 1/2, with some shorter races before then. I have also lost about 15 pounds. [I think the fact that she e-mailed me is indicative of some sort of exercise bond we have! We were on a corporate wellness team together.]
Anyway, their accomplishments are amazing I am not trying to take credit for THEIR hard work. But I think I helped get them out the door at least a little. And hey, I admit I only run because my Dad runs, and I know some of my friends and relatives have gone running because I suggested a race or they saw me do it-which is really only because my Dad started me down the path a while ago. (And let's not forget I only went swimming b/c Becky helped so much.) Anyway, it's these short e-mails and comments from people that made me want to go back to school to learn how to really affect health change-and not just wing it. It makes the 27 pages left seem worth it....But think about it-who influenced your start to running (You should e-mail them!)-and who do you think you influenced? Probably lots of people. Anyway, I just got one of these e-mails today and it was a good pick me up school/career-wise (since I am attached to my laptop) and mentally (since I think running is evil at the moment :)
Posted by Audrey at May 12, 2005 12:45 PM
Comments
Well my friend Lily was the one that said "So, when are you going to start running?" She's a marathon runner and we had been discussing my daily grind of just going to the gym and riding a stationary bike.
Its all her fault! :D
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at May 12, 2005 01:50 PM
Nice entry. I haven't thought about this much, but I have certain friends who obviously associate me with running, so when I see them, they feel like they need to report on how well they are (or aren't) doing. I can't think of anyone who has taken up running because of me, I guess I need to get to work - I need to get out there and start "converting" people!
I had one gym teacher tell me I should go out for cross country ("What's that?!" I thought) and another one -- who happened to be the boys' XC coach -- point out that I was the first girl to finish the mile in my gym class in 7th grade (an 8:34, I believe). (And I thought, "Why does it matter that I'm the first girl?") I think the biggest influence was my mother though. She ran a marathon when I was young. And being the cocky brat that I was, I thought, "If she can do it, I can too." Okay, that was a fun little trip down memory, lane, but I have my own blog, so I should stop writing entry-length comments on yours!
I hope that running starts being kinder to you soon!
Posted by: Alison at May 12, 2005 02:23 PM