Bingham Tom - Running for women : ditch the excuses and start loving your run

Copyright 2015 by Rockridge Press, Berkeley, California

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ISBN: Print 978-1-62315-639-8 | eBook 978-1-62315-641-1

WHEN I JOINED THE CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM ON A WHIM IN EIGHTH GRADE, I had no idea running would become a major part of my life. I ran track and cross-country all four years of high school, and I would occasionally run a few miles around campus in college, but if you had told me that this would become a daily ritual for decades to come, I would have laughed at you. It was just something I did without thinking much about it.

And then, during my junior year of college, my mom passed away from breast cancer. After that, I stopped running completely. I just couldnt make my legs move anymore. Id try to go out for a run, only to give up, walk home, and shove my running shoes into the back of my closet. I felt like I couldnt do any of the things that made me happy when she was alive. I thought Id never run again.

A few years later I began coaching a high-school cross-country program. At one of the first meets I attended, just as the starting pistol went off to begin the race, I suddenly felt tears streaming down my cheeks. I wiped them away in shockIm not usually the type of person who cries in public. But I knew in that moment that something had come over me. I remembered how much I loved running and realized how much I missed it. When I got home that night, I dug my shoes out of the back of my closet and went out to try running again.

At first, it was only a mile or two, but as I started running more consistently again, things gradually fell back into place. I was happier. I was more creative. I felt better about myself, and I became a better friend and family member. I was myself again.

Since then, Ive continued to run and challenge myself. I ran my first marathon, and then I ran twelve more. I switched up my training and strove to reclaim the strength and speed I had in high school. Finally, after training for a long time, I did something Id never thought possible: I qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Many people give up on running before they even try it. They think of it as that chore they had to do as punishment back when they were on a sports team or just assume itll be too hard. I hope to change peoples minds about running. Give it a chance, and you may be surprised how much you love it.

Coaching has given me a new outlook on running. I love encouraging people to embrace this activity, no matter what level theyre at. With this book, I want to encourage those who have never run before to take their first steps. Its easy to get caught up in worrying about how you look, how fast you run, your performance in a race, or whether or no you enter a race at all, but running is so much more than that. Its a personal journey. It can take you to amazing, unknown places. No matter when, where, why, or how youre running, its something you do for you.

Throughout this book, youll find nuggets of information, motivation, and helpful tips to make running a part of your lifestyle, no matter where you are along your running journey. Just remember to keep a positive mind-set and enjoy each and every step.

Between work and family, were all busy these days, and it can be easy to think of running as an extravagance you just dont have time for. But when you make a daily habit of running, the benefits become a powerful, indescribable force in your lifenot a time suck at all. There are some very specific reasons why running is worth every minute; not only does it feel good, but it can also have a positive effect on many aspects of your life.

One benefit of running is that it keeps all the muscles in your body in shape, including the most important one: the heart. Bringing down your resting heart rate by running is great for your blood pressure and can even help you sleep better at night. Running also increases oxygen flow to your brain, keeping you sharp. Plus, running can increase your endurance, stamina, and strength, making you an overall healthier person. Its one of the best ways to get and stay fit, all while exploring your surroundings.

Did you know that, when hiring, many companies seek out candidates who run regularly? Runners are known to have a unique sense of self-discipline, dedicating themselves to a daily practice that improves their health and overall performance. Being a runner makes you the kind of person who can get through and even enjoy a challenge, because you know how to look ahead and remind yourself of the rewards youll reap.