Never Say Never
I never thought there'd come a day.
I've mentioned before I didn't used to run. It wasn't until three years ago I started. Even then I didn't love it, but then I gradually got into it and somewhere along the line I convinced myself that I did enjoy it. My runs and my playlist grew longer and longer as well. Somewhere along the line I became a runner, and for that I am thankful.
My husband is the same as I was. If you haven't met Greg, he is 6'4" and a real athlete. He LOVES and lives for basketball season. He also loves to play tennis and golf competitively. He is really involved with our youth at our church. He is a grown-up, healthy, active, 40 year old teenager. He loves sports. When he's not playing them, he's watching them. Sound familiar?
But he hates running.
He used to hate the gym. Well, maybe that's an overstatement. He used to not GO to the gym.
But then three years ago is when I decided to make a change.
That's when I started going to the gym. Every day. Seeing progress. Making some new friends. Changing my body. Building some muscle.
That's when I started running. For fun. To compete against myself. Making some new friends. Entering races. Having new experiences.
Somewhere along the line Greg decided to jump on board - at first with the gym. The sad thing is we don't work out at the same gym. He goes to 24; I go to Golds. It's what works best with my daily and his work schedule. The point is he now goes. As time permits, he works out hard, and he's put on considerable muscle. I'd like to think that I had some influence on him.
Then somehow I convinced him to run the Ragnar Relay with me. For a year I knew he was on my team. The idea was to do it as couples. I was a little in disbelief. I still felt I wouldn't believe it until the time came.
And it did, and he ran. He did awesome. He had some of the hardest legs of them team. He did it without incident and with little to no complaining. He rised to the occasion, and he made me proud. If you could have heard how AGAINST running he was before. Absolutely determined that running was not for him, that every time he ran he pulled a hamstring or a calf. He loathed running, and here he was running the Ragnar. I'd like to think that I had some influence on him.
Now we're planning our next big adventure. He's open. He's asked me to print off a schedule of local races for the rest of the summer. Turns out he likes the adrenalin rush (which honestly is completely different from the rush you feel on stage for Figure) and the feeling of accomplishment. I think he's up for a Half Marathon (he's already ran 8+ miles in one stretch); he wants to start with a 10k.
Regardless of what we do, which race we enter, or how strong we finish, the fact is we are doing this together. He is running. He is running with me - something he thought and said he would never do - he is now doing. I literally remember a time not that long ago he told me I would NEVER get him to run. I would NEVER get him to enter a race. I was lucky the few times (I can only remember three) he actually came to MY races.
Never say never. We all have influence over those around us. You might not see it or feel it, but your actions have huge influence over your spouse, your children, your family, your peers, and your neighbors. You may not be aware, but they are watching, they are noticing the subtle differences and changes you are making for the better. Keep it up. You never know how your positive healthy improvements will affect those loved ones around you.
Never say never.
You're on the right track!
jen-fit@gmail.com
