So You Think You Can't Run?

I always thought, "I can't run!".  I am fairly certain a lot of other people think the very same thing...

In 2009 I did run and in 2010, I ran and ran and ran...

As 2010 came to a close, I spent an afternoon pouring over my training log and reflecting on how that year of running & coaching had impacted my spirit for the sport.  My mind drifted back in time to my earlier years.

I began a very short running career at Pauls Valley Middle School.  It was 1981 and I decided to try my hand at track and field it ended ugly with me giving up and heading over to the tennis court.  For the next 18 years I lived under a very misguided impression that I was NOT athletic.  That paired with living in a small town with limited wellness resources I became an obese adult experiencing high blood pressure and other weight related illnesses.  Like so many others my health forced me into change.  At 206 pounds and a blood pressure of 225/185, I joined a local Weight Watcher meeting, the only wellness source in my small town.   It was 2003 and my wellness journey was forced on me. 

You see I started with the easiest thing available, cutting calories.  Then I started walking one step at a time.  When I arrived in Ardmore I had lost 45 pounds and was a walker.  It was a lonely journey.  Then I met Phillip.  He encouraged (challenged) me to try my hand at cycling then hiking then running.  Eighteen years later I am now an athlete; accomplishing century cycling events, a rim to rim Grand Canyon hike and completed numerous running events with 5K age placement awards not to fail to mention marathon/half marathon finisher medals.  The bonus, I lost the weight and became fit! –  as taken from my Manifesto, “The Running Martyr”.

  

Before coaching I was headed down an unhealthy path of running.   Running is a very addictive and empowering sport.  Remember, my running career was cut short by a Coach leaving me with the mind set I was not athletic.  So being able to accomplish a century ride or run a marathon is very empowering.  To experience that empowerment without proper guidance can be very dangerous.  That is why runner injury is so common.  I was once told by a seasoned runner, “Making it to the starting line injury free is half the battle.”    As a returning runner I tried several methods to get me back on the road and help me stay injury free.  I implemented the Galloway Training Program and have been running injury free now for over a year. That is the primary reason I decided to join the Jeff Galloway Family. 

Who is Jeff Galloway?

• A world-class athlete. As a member of the 1972 Olympic team, Jeff competed against the world’s best athletes in Europe, Africa, and the former Soviet Union. He broke the U.S. 10-mile record (47:49)
in 1973 and has a six-mile best of 27:21. Among his victories are
the Peachtree Road Race, Honolulu Marathon, Atlanta Marathon and top place finisher in many prominent U.S. races such as the Boston Marathon.

• Founder of the Galloway Marathon Training Program. 

As the Program Director for Ardmore, OK Jeff Galloway Group.  I am super excited to announce our Getting Started Program.  If you have ever thought..."I can't run!", this is the program for you!  Log on and check out the details.

http://www.active.com/framed/event_detail.cfm?CHECKSSO=0&EVENT_ID=2110729

If you should have any other questions or just need to chat feel free to contact me.  I look forward to this venture and hope to see you at our kick-off.