When new years comes, what we all think of is the beginning, the beginning of something either new or restarting something again that we have previously done before. For me the new year starts a new season of marathon training. About four years ago I picked up the hobby of running, due to the fact that i am so competitive, and like challenging myself. I played baseball and basketball in highschool, and after i graduated and that all was gone, i had nothing to look forward to.
When i began running i started like everyone would, I ran one mile, and struggled like any rookie runner would. Then i gradually worked my milage up, and before i knew it i was running in my first half marathon. A couple months later, i decided to take it a little further, i wanted to compete in my first full marathon. So some of my buddies and I trained through the late winter, and early spring,and competed in a marathon in April. I was happy with the outcome, but knew i could do better, so i ran another one, and then another one, and then another one. I have completed four marathons, and will continue to run more, until i reach my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
When running a half or full marathon, there is more than just running going on, friendships are being made between complete strangers, and the crowd cheering you on makes you feel like you are a celebrity, that they just want to reach out and touch.
I encourage anyone that has the competitive desire to accomplish a task that requires hard work, dedication, and determination, to run, and set a goal to complete a half or full marathon. I am telling you after you run one, you will become addicted, and want to keep doing them.
So get off the couch, put on your running shoes and go out for a run.