Happy National Running Day! It’s another day to raise awareness and celebrate physical activity, specifically running! I know running may not be for everyone, but I encourage you to do some form of physical activity today to celebrate! I am by no means a running fanatic or professional like Dr. Dan, but I do enjoy a good run or jog 3-5 days a week. Running is my time to meditate and clear my mind, while helping keep my heart and body fit. Since I live in the country, my runs are done on the gravel roads in the wide open spaces and there is nothing better than that! It’s peaceful and allows me time to focus on my goals and stay motivated. It’s my time and I know it’s only going to make me feel better and stay healthy.
I included a picture of my co-workers and I after the Hospital Hill Run this last Saturday. I first have to thank Dr. Dan for getting us all motivated and inspired to be more active. He is a real inspiration to us all…and if he can make time for activity, so can we! I am so proud of Lacey (standing next to Dr. Dan) who ran her first 5k! Lacey participated in STRIVE 2 Survive and decided to challenge herself by committing to running in her first 5k. The weeks prior to the Hill Run, she pushed herself to new limits with mileage and time to get herself ready. I committed to running it with her and I have to tell you, the buddy system works!! There were days I didn’t feel like going for a run (thanks to our lovely weather we’ve had), but I knew Lacey was counting on me so I had to do it. We’d check in with each other a few days a week to see how each other was doing, which not only kept us on track with our goals but kept us motivated.
Whether you’re walking or running, I encourage you to push yourself to new limits…go an extra block or two each day, push your time, add some intervals. If you aren’t motivated, find a buddy to help push you and think about the benefits of doing it…and then stay positive! If it was easy, everyone would do it…so expect bumps and challenges along the way, but those are only going to make you better and stronger! Keeping yourself active and creating new limits will help you stay healthy and fit inside and out!
In celebration of National Running Day, be sure to get up, get out, and be active! Make no more excuses…. get to it!
-Kelsey
Picture–Left to Right: Kelsey, Shelly-Dr. Larson’s nurse, Lacey-Dr. Likness’s nurse, Dr. Dan
