As a lacrosse/field hockey player the coaches always said, run faster. This irksome comment, paired with long runs and sprints twice a day, created my distaste for running. With running there was no purpose. I needed a stick in my hand and more importantly a goal.
When I stopped playing lacrosse in college the elliptical and the bike were the cardio tools of choice. I would NEVER willingly get on a treadmill. That all changed one day when a friend said, “Lets run a marathon.” A marathon? I had never run much more than maybe 5 miles. However, being the person I am, No is not a word found often in my vernacular, and finishing a marathon assigned a goal to running. This goal was accomplished and then I proceeded to take a five-year hiatus from running.
Enter USAFIT Philly.
I had been toying with the idea of running another marathon to get back into shape. I not only wanted to complete a second marathon, but also finish a bit faster this time. It is that whole, needing a goal to motivate my running. The quandary, I wanted someone to train with. My previous running partner had decided to go to medical school and was a little busy. Searching the web and asking around a few options surfaced, but USAFIT Philly seemed to be what the best fit. I dove in. The first day I was nervous that I was going to be too slow, wasn’t going to find anyone to run with, everyone would already know each other and I wouldn’t fit in. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Everyone was amazing. I met remarkable people who both challenged and encouraged me to become a better runner. Finishing my second marathon with the support and camaraderie of fellow Philly Fitters and shaving a half hour off my previous finish, there was no five-year hiatus this time! With the company of Philly fit, I continued to run through the winter and into my next season.
Now if you have learned anything from this post, it is that I need goals to motivate my running. Having completed two marathons, I needed a new goal. Now I am not a crazy fast runner. Many of my friends were and are competitive runners who log 70+ miles a week. That is NOT me, nor is it most of the Philly Fit group. However, I do love a good challenge. My goal would be to shave at least another half hour off my time. Now, to accomplish this goal I had to adapt the Philly fit running schedule to fit my needs, but I decided to join the group for my third year anyway. A decision I did not regret! Always having someone to run with is a privilege I do not take for granted. And there was always someone with whom to run no matter how many extra miles I chose to add to the scheduled runs.
The people in this group are the reason I have met the goals set for my running, they are the reason I run as much as I do.
I am now entering my fourth season with USAFIT PHILLY and cannot wait until May. I have not set a personal goal for the season yet, and I don’t think it will be anything crazy this year, but perhaps in a few years Boston will be a possibility. With USAFIT Philly anything is possible. If you surround your self with the right people you can accomplish anything. So whether your goal is to cross the finish of a 26.2-mile race for the first time, to set a personal record/BQ, or to just improve your running/walking Philly Fit has a group for you! See you all in May!
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