I used to be the most inactive person.  I rather spend  time painting or designing behind my computer than outside under the sun sweating or taking the risk of injure one part of my body.  I didn’t learn how to run skates or swim. I wasn’t a lazy person, but I just don’t understand how practice a sport could be fun.

Mom & I

When trying to recall my memories, the last and only time I remember participating in a sport related event was during middle school. I ran in a school sport day event and I came on second place. The thing was there were only two participants on the race; a girl and me. Not to mention the college years in the Architecture School were a time of nonexistent exercise. There were endless hours  in front of the computer, drawing or making cardboard tri-dimensional models, just seating there. It was only after graduation when I found myself with extra 20 pounds and out of shape that I decide decide to do something. I take action doing the #1 weight-loss and fitness Challenge platform in North America the  90 days Body By Vi Challenge.

I get to lose weight fast following aerobics routine and eating better, but on day 65 I felt that I wasn’t challenging enough myself and I was getting bored. So when my boyfriend’s cousin Ester suggested me to run Divas half marathon with her  I didn’t think too long. It was challenging enough because I’d never run more than few miles in my entire life.  Once I began prepare for my first event a lot of valuable stuff I kew about life began to get reaffirmed as I run.

These are the ( 5 ) Things That Running Re-Taught Me About Life:

1. I will not make it to the finish line if I don’t begin in the start.

In November 2012 I run my first event; a half-marathon.  It all began with me registering to the even. I had never run in my life as I previously said. Even when I was a little scare because of my inexperience and lack of training  I took the first step and get compromised. No money back warranty and my word. I was scared and to make things challenging  I began to receive a lot of  comments from family and friends telling me that I was crazy and  that I should begin with the 5k or not run the event at all.  Their interest on my well-being was genuine but I was already commited.  That step took me to read about running and to learn more and better my body as I began training.

Sometimes in life you have to take action even when you don’t see the whole map. A  single step  could lead you to acomplish awesome things.

First Month Running

2. I am my only competition.

When I began to run I felt kind of frustrated because I saw most of the runners in the park doing the whole track “non-stop”, running fast, and to my eyes they seems no tired at all. After weeks of visiting the track I understood that most of the non-stop runners I saw were only an idea of mine. The real thing is I never saw when they began to run so I never know from which distance they came running, if they took shortcuts or they are really taking breaks. I learn not compare myself to others or get discouraged because I “can’t do certain thing the same way that others does.  As in life there will be always someone who will run faster and longer than me but

I’m not really competing with anyone else so I can set my own pace and measure my victories by tracking all my progress.

3.  I have to Know where I am and where I am going. Take advantage if the route is available and make a strategy.

Sometimes is best to take action even when you don’t know the route, but when you have the opportunity to get the route,use it. Very often, before I register to any sport running event I look over for the route of the race, and when is possible I try to train there. Sometimes depending the type of event, knowing that route and not knowing it could be vital. I remember during my first trail run event, I never look at the route, the site or visit the place. I didn’t know about the terrain type, elevation, type of soil etc. That was a major fail for me because I didn’t have any strategy in mind that helps me to accomplish my time goals and either went with the appropriated running shoes for that type of terrain. At the end I had a lot of fun but I  slip and fall down, hurt my knee and lose a lot of time trying to get oriented back to the trail.

In life when you dont have a plan ahead and project into a specific goal is very probable  you will get lost, lose time or other people will plan ahead for you.

My first Trail Run

4. I have to use the right tools. Equipment does matters!

Even when is truth  that the most important is to begin,is better begin with the right tools. Take me from example. I began to run with the incorrect pair of running shoes and that added to other facts cause me an incredible knee pain only after running few miles. Once I choose the right type of shoes the pain no longer appears at least not because of the shoes ! The same occurs in life.

When you are not equiped with the right tools you may not get the results you expect or it will take longer.

5. Training is Necessary. I will get out what I put in !

There were times where I  leave days pass without going to do my runs. Some times because the rain, some times for business meetings and sometimes because I don’t want to.  The real thing is all of the previous reasons are excuses ; well planed lies that I told to myself to justify why I wasn’t going to run. Then when I go back to run and cant run for 20 minutes straight  I ask myself:  WHY?

In running as in life there is no magical, mystical or instant formula to success. Success is the consequence of lots of commited work applied with consistency. 

From the first moment I began to run my life had change. Against all the odds I became a runner  and that decision encouraged me to find out more stimulating and provocative opportunities to grow and expand myself and help others through my way.