I’ve always run to stay in shape and stay fit, but while out running with a couple of colleagues/friends after school back in 2004, we would chat during our runs. So for me, it’s a more question of “who” inspired me to run a full marathon rather than “what”. Erin Varga and Denise Quenault and I would get together to run after school. Erin was training for her second marathon and so Denise was inspired to train for a marathon as well; they both inspired and encouraged me. So, I took on the challenge. Erin got into the NY marathon and Denise and I signed up for and completed the 2004 Chicago Marathon. Since that experience, I have run multiple 5K’s, 10K’s, 5 half marathons, the 2008 Philadelphia Marathon and 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon where I had my personal best time! I am currently registered for the 2010 Goofy’s Race and Half Challenge in Disney World, which means I will run a half marathon on Saturday, January 9th and then run a full marathon the very next day on Sunday January 10th.
So many things surprised me about my experience— how quickly you can build up your endurance, how many people of all shapes, sizes and ages are out there running marathons. I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed running and how great I felt after running my first marathon; I was already looking forward to running another. Most impressively was how Denise and I never seemed to run out of things to talk about during all of our training together!
Prior to my first marathon I thought running that distance was “crazy” and too far. But completing the training and the marathon itself makes you realize that you can do anything with a little hard work. Every time I talk to someone about running a marathon who says, “I could never do that.” I tell them they can…anyone can!!!
Achieving this goal has formed and strengthened great friendships with some of my colleagues. And, as a teacher, I now set higher goals for my students, knowing they can do a whole lot more than we sometimes give them credit for. I constantly encourage them to keep trying. I also have used my marathon running as a way of encouraging my students to eat healthy and stay fit by walking, running, or taking part in activities such as soccer, basketball, and tennis. Almost sixty children in the Lower School and a few from the Middle School trained with me over a ten-week period to complete a marathon over time. We participated in the Princeton Healthcare Kids Marathon this past June. So many of them are looking forward to doing it again next year…as am I!
Не могу сейчас поучаствовать в обсуждении – очень занят. Но освобожусь – обязательно напишу что я думаю по этому вопросу….
http://rel” rel=”nofollow”> So for me, it’s a more question of “who” inspired me to run a full marathon rather than “what”. Erin Varga and Denise Quenault and […….