American author Carlos Casteneda once said, “The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge while an ordinary man takes everything either as a blessing or a curse.” Runners are warriors. Each time we step out the front door for a run we think of it as a challenge. A good challenge. Maybe the challenge will be to run faster, stronger, longer. Or maybe we’ll challenge ourselves to notice the beautiful scenery along the run. Or maybe we’ll challenge ourselves to solve that problem at work while on the run. Or maybe we’ll challenge ourselves to do absolutely nothing other than enjoy the run.The challenge is what drew me to running. I was never a big team sports player, but I did love competition. Sounds odd, but I discovered, I loved competing with myself, striving to do better each run. Once I had the confidence to compete with myself, I realized there actually was a warrior within me. Once you realize this inner warrior exists, suddenly you’re more confident in many other areas of your life. I never thought in a million years, I’d be a personal trainer, much less the owner of my own studio. It was running that opened that door.
The many “RunnerDude’s Runner of the Week” stories I've posted on this blog are proof of how over and over running has reshaped the lives of so many individuals. It’s helped individuals grieve the loss of a loved one. For some it’s been the means of weight loss, lowering cholesterol, dealing with depression, getting off various medications, and/or no longer having adult onset diabetes. It’s helped parents become healthy role models for their children. It’s helped others strive to prove they can when many have told them that they can’t. All of these individuals are warriors. Running warriors.
Running. It’s amazing what just putting one foot in front of the other can do for a person. The doors it can open. The people it brings into your life. The opportunities it provides. The health benefits it sustains. What are you waiting for? Go run!
