Wednesday, June 15, 2011

1st Running Anniversary - Young Again

Last June 15th I laced up my running shoes and jog/walked with my wife.  One minute slow jogging/panting, one minute crawling/complaining for 10 intervals.  We covered 1.9 kilometers (1.1 Miles) in 20 minutes.  Since that date I've averaged 4-5 runs a week, ran through three pairs of shoes, at least 2 pairs of shorts, 16 pairs of socks, about 36 shot bloks, one lost water bottle, and two broken wrist watches.  I also bought myself a Garmin 405 in that time - and we have become good friends.  I've clocked 1717 km (1073 miles) in the last 365 days and ran 6 races.

But probably the most important part is that I've met, spoken with, suffered with, laughed with, and been victorious with so many awesome people!- people in races, organizers, bloggers, other runners.  And especially my wife and family.  My wife, rather than putting obstacles in my way, did everything to encourage me and to help me reach my goals.  It feels like I'm young again, and my whole life together is ahead of us.

Did you ever come to a day in your life and wish you could be young again but still know what you know today.  To be able to live your life with passion, with more risk and excitement, with more commitment to the things you love, and not wasting your life on the silly things with no value?

I've actually gone back to do it.  This is me today.

Don't envy me.  Ask yourself why you are not there.  Lace up your shoes and make it your destination!  Don't worry you'll find people along the way to help, and if you don't that means you've been called to help someone.

A video for my good running friend in South Africa (where do you think the door will stop? - I play that game every day):

29 comments:

Kandi said...

Congrats on a year!!
I enjoyed the train video. That's one long passenger train! The one I take to work is only 3 cars.

Unknown said...

GREAT POST!!

Yay for your one year runniversary

Teamarcia said...

Young again? Dude. You were never old.
Happy runnerversary!
You've come a looooong way! Jill must be so proud!

A Prelude To... said...

Happy anniversary! What a great thing you did one year ago!

Johann said...

One year! You've come so far, well done Andrew!
Thanks for the video! I love it, we don't have trains like that here. I like the "where will the door stop" game.

Jennifer said...

Happy running birthday! You have come a long way Andrew and will have many happy miles in the future!

BabyWeightMyFatAss said...

Happy Anniversary!!

Unknown said...

Congrats on your 1 year!!

Chris K said...

Hey, I'm the guy who posts train pics for Johann.

Again, congrats. I had no idea your wife played a role in this and is so supportive. That is very cool.

Great post. I feel like I am investing in me every time I work out. I want to be a young old guy.

Laura said...

Congrats! What a great journey so far ... and I can completely relate.

bobbi said...

Happy runniversary!!

You inspire me constantly - I may not always comment, but I'm always reading.

Keep going!!

it's all about pace said...

Like Bobbi said "Happy Runneversary" and over 1k miles... nice!

Evil Lynne said...

Happy Anniversary, Andrew! You have had an incredible year - wow !! Congratulations on your amazing achievements so far, and 'here here' to the next year of great running. :) Kudos to your wife for being such a wonderful supporter in the last year.

Kate Geisen said...

Happy running anniversary to you! Mine was in April, so I know the feeling. :) And trying new things and pushing myself definitely makes me feel younger and happier. Glad your wife has had your back and been so supportive. That makes a big difference.

KovasP said...

Great job Andrew! Don't mind Chris, he's just going through his second childhood.

Elizabeth said...

Congrats on your 1 year running anniversary and don't forget to get your wife an anniversary gift to say thanks, a supportive spouse makes running more enjoyable.

Nelly said...

A special day indeed! Congrats on the running anniversary, seems like things are going great!

BrianFlash said...

The great thing about starting out is that you keep seeing serious improvement. Good for you with sticking with it!

XLMIC said...

Yay! Happy Re-Birth Day :)

I definitely have those moments of wanting to be younger but know all I know... so that I have more time to enjoy... but I know that I just need to enjoy NOW!

Love this story :)

Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri said...

Congrats on being smart enough a year ago to know that running, as much as it may have sucked, was worth sticking with.

Ewa said...

I wish you many more anniversaries to come. Stay fit and stay happy.

Quinton J said...

Bahahaha...I do the same thing when I wait for the GO train.

In fact...last week they must've had a new train engineer...because i stood in my "usual" and "correct" spot and he was like 15 feet off. I held my ground. The rest of those chumps moved to the "new" location...but again...I held my ground. The doors opened and all of those other chumps got on...still, I held my ground. The doors chimed and closed and I took the next train...but i held my ground.

Jill said...

Happy Running Anniversary!!! Don't forget all the weight loss, too and how amazing you look in a Santa suit and soon kilt!!

Jenny said...

Just wanted to stop by and say "Happy Running-versary!" Keep on keeping on!

Run on.

Anne said...

Happy Running Anniversary Andrew! You rock! So glad you go in for the kilt run...woohoo!
You were in Mtl yesterday and you didn't call? hehe :)

The Green Girl said...

Aw, congratulations on a year - and the weight loss. What an accomplishment!

Phil Buckley said...

Andrew, Congratulations on a tremendous year of running and reflection. Your path is admirable and inspirational for the rest of us. All the best, Phil
P.S. Have you named your Garmin 405?

Unknown said...

1000+ miles in your first year is fantastic! Happy run-a-versary!

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