Running Like A Girl {By Brooke}

Becoming a Runner Girl

Hi guys…erm…gals! I’m Brooke from Smart + Strong = Sexy. I didn’t start out as a fitness blogger, but have slowly evolved into that over time. My blog originated as a place to document my wedding plans. A few months after I got married, I got sick of people telling me how much weight I was going to gain now that I was married, so a friend of mine and I started taking advantage of the exercise classes our work place offers.

One afternoon she stumbled upon the Couch to 5K program and worked up the genius plan in her mind. We’d start the program and run the inaugural “5K in May” being hosted by a charity in our hometown.

Two years ago, she and I struggled with week 1’s “run 60 seconds, walk 60 seconds, run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds” Today I’m not only an avid runner, but also a triathlete and marathoner. This January I ran 26.2 miles to complete the Disney Marathon.

That’s me after pausing for a photo op 10 miles into the race – yes, I really was that happy!

I’m not here to brag on myself, but to say you can do it too!

Maybe you don’t want to run a marathon, and that’s fine. But please give running a chance. You might fall in love and join me in the less than 0.1% of the population who’ll call themselves marathoners.

Or maybe you’ll be like my running buddy who has never ran more than a 8k, but that distance provides her with all she needs to maintain a healthy weight and challenge herself to improve her speed.

Still yet you could be like our mutual friend who was inspired to start running because of us…but quit because she didn’t enjoy it. We’re still her friend even though she has bad taste in workouts.

Just kidding…but seriously.

You may hate running, but I’m urging you to please give it a try. Running does far more for me mentally than it does physically. Its empowered me to know that I can do whatever I put my mind to. I’ve shut up critics who’ve doubted my ability to jump from a 5k (3.1 miles) to a half marathon (13.1 miles) in six months.

Running helps me shift my focus from what my body looks like, to what its capable of achieving.

All you need is the Couch to 5K (or similar walk/run plan), a pair of tennies, and a place to train, and a 5K race signup sheet. I’d not recommend sinking a lot of money into shoes before you know how well you’ll stick with it.

As you continue in the sport wicking fabrics, an Ipod, an SPI belt, and some sort of long-run hydration system are handy to have. But for now, put on some sweats, lace up those shoes collecting dust, and hit the road.

You won’t regret it.

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I am so not a runner, and this post makes me consider trying it again. A smidge. I hope all my guest bloggers inspired you to make your lives a bit healthier and beautiful leading to a world with more birthdays, more laughter and more happiness. This is the final guest blogger entry, and I’d like to thank all of my guest bloggers for doing such a great job motivating, inspiring and educating us. Have you ever tried running? Would you ever try running? Let Brooke know in the comments! I’ll be picking winners for the guest blogger comments on Sunday! Leave comments on any/all of these blog posts for chances to win.