This week’s Tuesday’s on the Run topic is Inspiring Others to Run.
This may sound selfish but, um…inspiring others was never my goal. I started running 17+ years ago as a way to head off the heart disease that runs in my family. I started this blog back in January of 2009 as a training log for my first Boston Marathon and a way to keep me writing regularly while the kids were little. Things 1 and 2 were 3 and 7 back then.
I do remember exactly who inspired me to take a crack at longer distances. I read Runner’s World back in the day and Kristin Armstrong wrote a column called Mile Markers that I loved. Sarah and Dimity of Run Like a Mother fame wrote a series called Marathon Moms, that chronicled their training for the San Francisco Marathon. It was those women who inspired me to try “ONE” marathon for the bucket list.
It just sort of took off from there. Many of you inspire me to run new races, new distances, even a few triathlons. WHAT?? Yeah that was a shock to the system. But I lived to tell about it. Running and training have become part of who I am and I love that.
People tell me that I inspire them all the time and that’s very cool. I still feel like any other mom out there, but with a pretty cool and crazy hobby. You truly are never too old to keep on going, doing and having a blast. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Who inspires you?
I definitely didn’t start running to inspire anyone, and it surprises me that I do . . . but I have had people tell me that I do.
If I can motivate just one person to get more active — doesn’t have to be running — it makes me happy. Now, if I could just inspire my husband . . .
It’s always surreal when people tell me that I inspire them. I just hope that I can set an example that others can aspire to, if not surpass.
People tell me all the time how “inspiring” I am–while I never started out that way (like you), I’m happy to be the source of inspiration if it gets people moving!
I’m inspired by a lot of my patients and parents…the ones who keep moving forward in spite of obstacles that life has thrown in their way. I’m not so good about being patient with people who complain about little things. I need to work on that.
I’m right with you, I definitely didn’t start running to inspire anyone either- it was mostly just because someone dared me to run a half, strange right? I do think it’s cool that running can inspire so many though. I am incredibly inspired every time I read or hear about another runner’s goals and accomplishments.
I didn’t go back to running to inspire others either. I’ve always been active and got away from that during my first job out of college. When I quit and moved to Texas, I had time to get back in shape again. I hated not being in shape anyway.
As a personal trainer, I love inspiring people to realize while I can tell them what to do, they are ultimately the one that DECIDES to do it, and that is the hard part!
My kids inspire me to be a better person. I’ve fought depression for many years, so I hope in some way I can inspire others to keep movin’ which is the premise of my blog/page etc. Great post, Marcia!
I also didn’t start running in order to inspire anybody, and most people who I look up to as inspirational don’t consider themselves inspirational either. They go about what it is that they do, and its because of their accomplishments that I see them as an inspiration.
I find moms who run to be very inspirational. I hope that I can do that one day when I start a family – and hopefully I’ll get to try my first marathon soon!
I didn’t start running to inspire anyone but myself, but I think when you find something you love, passion emanates from you and that is what inspires people. 🙂
So many people inspire me. From the local elites to the Everyman/woman to my children to the para-athletes. I love having a community of people to turn to for support and motivation that are all like-minded on a journey to be healthy and active and have fun. Glad for my virtual friends and in-person friends!
I started running to push myself past limits I thought I had. I don’t run as often as I did but I do other things and my daughter has become the person I want to inspire the most, so she knows that she can do anything she puts her mind to!
That’s great that you remember the exact author and article that first got you going. It’s very motivating to read others running success stories.It’s fun watching some blogger friends taking on their first marathon too. It makes me wonder if I’ll ever tackle the 26.2. especially after following their training.
It’s always a pleasant surprise to me when I hear from someone that I inspired them. I think very few of us set out with that goal – mostly we do it for ourselves, and the rest comes as a side benefit.
I started running for health reasons as well, and I think I continue to run because of them. Now I love helping others start out just like I did — baby steps, short runs, just getting fit. Great job on inspiring others!
I am inspired by so many. I get a lot of my inspiration from people who beat the odds, reach their goals despite challenges. etc. I believe it takes heart and determination and that is so inspiring. It’s a great feeling to know that I can show others that if I can do it, they can do it too!
You definitely inspire people and it is so weird to have someone say that to you, I agree. I’m just a regular old person! Seems kind of surreal, but pretty cool!
It literally gives me goose bumps anytime someone tells me I inspire them. I’m sure i get a goofy looking grin on my face 🙂
I’m not surprised people say they’re inspired by you. xoxo
I started running not because I was inspired, but out of spite, haha. Went through a bad breakup and channeled my energy into something good. But afterwards, I got super inspired by lots of athletes – those in my tri group, my now husband, watching Boston Marathon participants, etc.
Your kids may not admit it now (or delightfully maybe they do) but what you do is a HUGE inspiration to them. You are a rockin’ Mom! You are also an inspiration to me. I’m so glad you started your blog and that I stumbled upon it.
I completely forgot about Runner’s World magazine as a source of inspiration. I LOVED the newbie runner column and read every single one when I first started. He was so inspirational! I miss him.
There are so many women that inspire me on a daily basis! I love women athletes – it’s so neat to see them working hard to achieve their goals while balancing work, family ect.
I think you are a huge inspiration!! 🙂
There are so many women that inspire me on a daily basis! I love women athletes – it’s so neat to see them working hard to achieve their goals while balancing work, family ect.
I think you are a huge inspiration!! 🙂