Life As A Runner!
- Andy
- Aug 16, 2020
- 3 min read
Many people have incorporated running due to Cross Country, Track and Field, Marathons, or simply to improve their health. However, running is more than just moving your legs. Here's a brief insight on running :)
My Story
I began running in 5th grade. I admit. I'm not the fastest runner, but I enjoy what I do. Running for me isn't just about being better than someone else, it's about being better every time I get my legs and mind to work. I have never felt more humiliated and embarrassed than the time I worked and improved so much on my time and speed. I had set high expectations for myself and on marathon day unexpected problems made me realize that running was more than just improving time and speed, it was also about having a strong character and mentality before, during and after a race. In elementary, I did short distance and went to competitions with my school. I had the best coach as she made me love this sport and shaped me into a great and fast short-distance runner. In middle school I switched over to long distance and started to run marathons. When I started to do long distance in middle school I wanted to quit on mile 6 because I was used to sprinting and not dividing my energy into miles. I am no longer a fast short distance runner, and I can say I have a medium speed for long distance. Although my transition to long-distance was slow and difficult I'm happy because today, my high school coaches from SRLA have made me improve my marathon time significantly and have made me love running more than I ever thought I would. The people who make up this team are a family to me who encourage and hype you up regardless of your failures or your success. With this team I learned perseverance, that if I continue to train hard, I can reach the 3-hour mark. I've ran for seven years straight, ran 5 marathons so far and I hope the LA Marathon for 2021 is no exception. I look forward to keeping this tradition all throughout college whether I decide to do long or short distance.
Mentality
As you can see I have tried both worlds, short and long-distance, and I can assure you that you won't get too far if you don't have the right mentality and mindset. This includes the people who you surround yourself with, the coaches, and yourself. If you listen to those who mock you and make you lose hope in yourself then you will not perform well. If your coaches discourage you and don't fully support you then you might not do too well. However, if you don't believe in yourself then you are setting yourself up for failure. As a runner, you constantly have to tell yourself the pain is temporarily in order to perform well. You need to know that failure is part of becoming better and that there is always time to improve but no time to cry or whine about it. Overall you need to believe in yourself and in your body, especially your legs who in partnership with your mind, do most of the work.
Love and Dedication for Running
The only way you can really be better than yourself or better than any other runner is if you like and enjoy running. As I said, it's not only moving your legs but having a positive mindset and enjoying what you do. Being proud of how and where you started is key as well as accepting when you need to work harder. If someone is forcing you to do this sport because "you're good" but aren't interested in putting in the hard work then you will have a hard time leveling up.
Benefits of Running
Many people don't see running as a fun thing to do but maybe the following benefits might persuade you to incorporate running into your schedule...
Students tend to perform better in school
Improves mental health, depression, and anxiety
Boosts your self-esteem
Makes you healthy and live longer
Makes you lose more weight than if you go to a gym
stronger muscles and bones
Helps you sleep better
QUICK BONUS
3 Runners Who Have Made History
Eliud Kipchoge
Kenyan runner who has won several marathons and some Olympic races. He's most famous for being the first person to run a sub 2-hour marathon and is the best marathon runner in history!
Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt is a Jamaican runner most known as the fastest man in history. He set the world record for the 100m race and won several races.
Roger Bannister
Roger Bannister was a British middle distance runner who became known for being the first person to run a mile under 4 minutes in 1954.
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