The first mile is the hardest

So I've never been much of a runner. I have been known to say "I hate running" and I actually mean it! There are just so many variables that go into running. You could get half way through a run and all of the sudden have to go to the bathroom and there's nowhere to go, your lungs may hurt, your legs may hurt, the weather may change, your ipod battery may die, your muscles may cramp...the list goes on and on. But I decided last fall that I wanted to become a runner, I wanted to run a half marathon. I entered me and a group of friends into the Canyonlands Half Marathon lottery and hoped that we would be chosen. We were, and began training in January. I'm not gonna lie, it was one of the hardest things that I've done. There were many afternoons where I was like... "uh... do we really have to run today? I'm so tired, or busy, or not motivated." But we would go. A lot of the time I felt like it was a test of my dedication and mental will power. I had never run more than 5 miles before this whole thing, and it was amazing to me to see that once I told my body that I could do it, I was able to. A lot of sweat, and hard work made for a successful experience. Right before the race started on March 20 I caught myself thinking that the race we were about to run was not the most important run, it was just the icing on the cake. The most important run, was a culmination of a bunch of different runs. The ones that we did by ourselves in the cold, in the dark, or with each other when it was so hard and we wanted to give up and walk, but we didn't. All those little experiences made me able to run like a champion on race day. I learned about finding joy in the journey. I've felt a runners high. I've crossed a finish line and knew that I did my best. I've learned that the phrase "no pain no gain" actually has a lot of truth to it. I've conquered a fear. I've learned that I can do most anything I put my mind to. I like running! And that's enough of victory for me!