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Planning for Success

Now that you’re excited to begin running, it’s time to make sure that all your plans come
to fruition. Inevitably, whenever we begin something new, we find ourselves both ex-
cited and anxious. We aren’t sure what to expect, and while hopeful, we can’t help but
have reservations as well. The good news is that we are not alone. Many other women
have embarked on this path before and many more are continuing to discover the joys
of running. In fact, according to the National Sporting Goods Association, the majority
of growth in the sport of running is due to an increase in female runners. When you de-
cide to become a runner, you join a cadre of women who, like you, are running to get in
shape, stay in shape, relax, find solitude, and accomplish meaningful goals.
One of the things that I love about running is the sense of community and support
I’ve felt from other runners. When I ran my first half-marathon a last year, I was nervous.
My goal was just to finish, but there was a little part of me that was afraid I wasn’t good
enough. What I didn’t realize was how incredibly encouraging and kind more experi-
enced runners would be at the race. The course was set up as a loop, and at about mile
marker seven, the fastest runners began coming back and passing me. Nearly every racer
that passed either said something to the effect of “good job” or smiled as they ran by. This
gave me the extra boost I needed to finish strong. As a new runner, you will doubtless
experience a lack of confidence in your abilities at some point during training. Don’t
let it stop you and don’t compare yourself to other runners. One of the best things that
running has taught me is to take pride in who I am. Running has dramatically improved
my self-image and my ability to look in the mirror and not find ten things I wish I could
change. Instead, when I gaze at my reflection I’m reminded of the hard work I’ve put into
running and am proud of my body.