The Color Run
By Laura Kelly-Pifer
Commitment. That’s a BIG word with a whole lot of meaning and just a few weeks ago, I committed to doing something that would challenge me like never before.
You see, Bailey came home from soccer practice and she and a few teammates decided that they wanted to do “The Color Run.” It’s a 5k run/walk, where you have a whole lot of fun and somehow, you end up all colored with a variety of pastel colors all over your body. Sounds fun, right!?! I thought so. I’ve walked a few 5k’s but never ran one and after thinking about it for a little bit, I decided to give it a shot and Bailey and I registered.
I downloaded the Couch to 5k app for my iPhone and within a few days started training. While I exercise regularly, I haven’t ran since High School so easing back into it was just what I needed. I’m now a few weeks in and since, have learned a few things. One of those being that I don’t enjoy running and am easily bored. It doesn’t come naturally to me, like it does to my husband or to my daughter. I don’t look forward to it like I do my Turbo Fire workout and I find myself wishing that those 30 minutes would hurry up and I’d be done, even with my cool music playing in my headphones. It’s not my soul mate workout and that’s okay!
So, when Bailey came home with her soccer game schedule and we learned that the team was scheduled for a game the same day as the run, I immediately thought “Good, I can get out of this. If they aren’t going, I don’t have to go. It makes no sense to drive all that way.” But, as soon as that thought entered my mind, it quickly left. You see, years ago, I would have found more reasons why I didn’t need to go (And trust me when I say that I’m sure that I could come up with a pretty large list.) but over the years, I’ve learned that a life living excuses isn’t the life I want to live.
When “I” committed to this event, It wasn’t just about the mother/daughter bonding or because it seemed like a cool thing to do. It was about everything that has happened over the course of the last five years since I began to live a healthier lifestyle. It’s wild for me to think that my body is healthier at the age of 39 than at 29 but it is. Just three years ago, it would take me 2-3 hours to get out of bed each morning because of my Rheumotoid Arthritis and now I’m physically able to run. How amazing is that!?! So, regardless of whether I walk or run, or Bailey and her team are able to go or not, I’m doing this 5k. It was a commitment that I made to myself and one that I need to do for me. It’s to show myself of how far I’ve come in life. And, when things get tough, which I know they will, I’ll have to dig deep for motivation.
Have you ever been faced with a situation where you wanted to give up but decided not to? What kept you motivated to keep pushing forward? We would love to hear your story. Comment back.
With Love,
Laura
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Laura Kelly-Pifer is a Fitness Coach who strives to help others by giving hope and support to those that are dissatisfied with their current situation. Whether you are lacking physically, emotionally, financially, or nutritionally she is here to help you see REAL RESULTS!