Learn to Fall in Love With Running
As a runner, you always hear about the magic and mystique of the Boston Marathon, but stepping off the bus in Hopkinton, Mass., where the marathon begins, and experiencing it in person was a whole new level. A mix of emotions ranging from imposter syndrome to nerves to excitement washed over me as I started to fully grasp what I was about to do — and what it took to get to this moment. My overweight and out-of-shape self had never imagined that running one of the most prestigious marathons in the world was in the cards when I bought my first pair of running shoes in September 2014 with the intention to start jogging to lose some extra pounds.
I was 29 at the time and starting to really get into a groove with my job as a stage manager at TODAY. I had been active in high school and college athletics on the volleyball team but let fitness fall to the wayside as my 20s progressed. It got to a point where I couldn’t tie my shoes without feeling out of breath. My self-confidence was low and I realized I had to make a change or enter my 30s in an unhealthy state. Running was a byproduct of this mindset — a tool to help lose the weight, along with proper nutrition and strength training.
Excerpted from Today
