The journey of 13.1 miles begins with a single step...

I was never "athletic."

Actually, that is probably the understatement of the year. As a child, I was the farthest thing from an athlete one could ever imagine. I was consistently picked last in gym class. I would always miss when attempting to kick or catch a ball... as a matter of fact, the only sport I was remotely good at was Dodgeball... because, as the worst player on the court, learning to dodge balls effectively was the only thing that saved me from getting injured. I made the decision very early on that I would never compete in anything that required physical ability. I spent most of my summer in my bedroom, reading.

So if you told me I would run a half-marathon, or even a 5K, I would have laughed in your face. I couldn't even run a block! My knees would feel like they were turning inside out just from WALKING! I was always spraining my ankles... My body did not seem to be built for anything that required an elevated heart rate, physical strength, or anything involving even minute amounts of coordination.

Knowing this, you might find it surprising that I ran my first half-marathon last Spring... and my first triathlon last summer. I'm even considering a half-ironman next year. How does one go from being unable to run at all to running a half-marathon? The answer is simple... one step at a time.

I started walking. That was easy, so I started alternating between walking and jogging. Along the way, I learned how proper form and heart rate training could make such a positive impact on how I felt during and after my workout. Running went from being pure torture to actually being fun! I set my goals, and I stuck to them... first, I just wanted to be able to run a mile. Then, I wanted to do a 5K. I thought I'd stop there, but the next thing you know, I was running 5 miles... then 6... Until finally, last year, I ran 13.1 miles; a half-marathon.

There's something to be said for pushing your body's limits. The biggest thing I learned from completing that race, and every race it seems, is that our bodies are capable of far more than we give ourselves credit for. But our own excuses hold us back. We think we can't do it. And we prove ourselves right. So my challenge for you is this: What goal are YOU going to set for yourself? And when are you going to accomplish it? Will it be to run a mile? Or is there something else you want to challenge your body to do? Let me know in the comments section below... I'm curious to see what you can come up with. Who knows! Maybe I'll even join you!