[Guest Post] National Day of Running: Why I Run

This is a guest post by Marc Vaillancourt, host of The Conversation Hub podcast – a weekly podcast featuring meaningful conversations on life, business and everything in between. He believes that through conversations, life happens and finds meaning. Catch the latest episode of his podcast at www.theconversationhub.com.  He’s also new to running and has completed 3 half-marathons and one marathon. You can follow him on Twitter @bassclefmusic.

I never thought I would call myself a runner.  I have several things working against me – I have asthma; I’ve always struggled with my weight; and, in high school, I came in dead last in a cross-country race! That event alone was enough to make me hang up the running shoes.  Until, I put them on again in September 2010.

Running is now a big part of my life. I am not a fast runner and some days are better than others, but I can honestly say that I love running.

Here are three reasons why running is important to me:

1. I Like The Way I Feel When I’m Done: The first mile of every run is never pleasant for me. My mind plays tricks on me and that little voice inside my head wants me to revert back to the “old” me and forget this exercise kick I’m on. Once I get past that first mile, it’s a different story.  My mind clears up, my breathing settles down and I get into a groove.  Every time I finish a run I feel great.  I’m more alert, have more energy and more focus – and that’s all good!
2. It Sends A Positive Message to My Kids: I have three children and being around for them is important to me. We live in a crazy world and making healthy choices is not always easy.  It’s a work in progress but I know my kids appreciate the choices I’m making when it come to living a healthier life. Just the other day I overheard my 6-year old daughter tell her play date, “I’ll be here exercising, just come and find me when you’re done!” She proceeded to do sit-ups and run around the yard. Last summer, my two older kids participated in the  MiracleKids Triathlon. To see them take on this challenge and be smiling when it was all over was the best feeling ever.
3. It Helps Me to be Bold: Since running my first mile in September 2010 (at a painfully slow pace of 16min/mile), I’ve tried to make every run a little better. I am a person who needs to have goals. Running a half-marathon was a bold objective. Running a marathon was an even bolder objective. The dictionary defines bold as “showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous.” For me, signing up and finishing 3 half-marathons and one marathon was a an act of boldness. I took a risk and chose to be courageous and, as a result, I am more confident in my ability to achieve whatever goal I set.

On Wednesday, June 6th we’ll be celebrating National Day of Running. Like many people across this great nation of ours, I plan to put on my running shoes and head out for a run.

Whether you’re an avid runner or someone getting started on the road to being healthy, remember this … The distance between where you are and where you want to be is not that far.  All that is required today is one BOLD first step!

So what do you think … Let’s make National Day of Running the day we take that first step!