Do you like to run? I mean as in running just to run, not as in being chased or trying to catch something? I had the honor of being in NYC this past weekend when around 50,000 people ran because they like to run– and that was only a small percentage of people who try to get a spot the race but don’t get in. It amazes me! I don’t like to run. I really tried to like it years ago after college when we had a good friend living with us for a few weeks. He was a runner training for the Olympics. He inspired us to get up and run every morning. It didn’t stick. Or maybe I did not stick with it long enough to start liking it. But I do admire those who set a goal, train to reach the goal, and run the race.

My daughter, Kara, who likes to run, gave birth to her second child in the spring, started training on her own in July, and ran in the 2014 NYC Marathon on Sunday. I am so proud of her perseverance and determination to commit to the hours and miles of training and then to accomplish the goal. Pretty amazing that she could run 26.2 miles at one time, but equally amazing that she has run about 400 miles since July! She did inform me that not all people who run necessarily like running, but they like setting a goal and accomplishing it.

NYC Marathon Race Map

About Mile 17

Congratulations!

People of all ages and abilities participate in the marathon. When you watch people racing down the street in wheelchairs, and with various other physical challenges, you can’t help but be inspired. I loved the story of one lady running the race. Margaret Hagerty is 91 years old and this marathon was her 81st marathon! That’s pretty amazing in itself, but she did not even start running until she was 64 years old. She was told she needed to stop smoking and get moving. So she started running down her street. After the first day, she determined to run by four houses the next day. She ended up running in marathons on all seven continents! You can watch an interview with her below. The last update I saw was at just over 24 miles and I haven’t heard what her final was yet.

So what is it that you would like to do? You don’t have to run a marathon but you need the mindset of those who do. Train, take lessons, practice, practice, practice, and just keep learning, stretching, and growing in your abilities. Pretty soon you will accomplish your goal!

If you do want to run a marathon, my daughter highly recommends this book, The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer, by Whitsett, Dolgener, and Kole.