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Though I had just completed my beginning Genesis Running Class Session, I had run off and on prior (even had participated in one 5k race). However, as I soon learned from the class, little did I know about the art of running and the joy that it could bring to my life.
Prior to Genesis, I viewed running as a chore … something to dread … and endure until it was finished. I did nothing to train or prepare my body or my mind with regard to running.
As I shared with my instructor at Genesis, the night prior to my first “solo” 5k I went out to a Mexican dinner and a late night movie. As I woke the next morning to go to the 8 a.m. race, I quickly regretted my decisions from the night before. I still had great confidence that I could and would pull it all together at the race and somehow run the entire race and do so in such a fashion that it would take nothing out of me … it would be easy… it was only 3 miles. I was relatively thin and fit (or so I thought)so “I had this.” I had one friend who registered to run the race with me. Right before the race, there were no good lucks or any other words of encouragement exchanged between us. The starting whistle sounded. Initially, I ran my hardest. I wanted to keep up with my friend. I paid no attention to my own body’s needs and what it was telling me. I cannot speak for her, but I felt competition between us … as if all that mattered was racing one another. It wasn’t long into the race that my friend whizzed past me. I became very upset with myself. I pushed myself harder. Soon my toes on one foot began to go numb, making it very difficult to continue running. I had to walk for a bit to work this numbness out before I could run again. Upon completion of the race, no crowd greeted me and cheered for me as I crossed the finish line. I finished with a much longer time that I ever wanted. My friend was not even standing there as she was across the way hanging out. My thought of excelling in this race had just come to a pounding death. Initially, I felt crushed. Why though? I wouldn’t feel that way if I were asked to take a test for which I did not study or perform a job/task for which I had no training. Due to all of this, I returned to my intermittent bouts of running with no plans for any future races.
Fast forward six months to one year later when I enrolled in the winter session of Genesis Running. During this nine-week-course, I not only learned how to physically train my body for running but also how to train my mind. This was all done with a group and there was an immediate camaraderie and a feeling of belonging to something special … to a team. The only competition I felt was wanting to better myself. I truly wanted my running mates, some already established friends and some new friends, to do well. I wanted to see them accomplish their goals as much as I wanted to accomplish my own. I looked forward to class for what I would learn with regard to further training my body and for catching up on how all my running friends were doing. I looked forward to my training runs … whether they be solo or with a running buddy/buddies.
After the nine weeks, race day arrived. It was cold and snowy … very unexpected for that date in April. Despite this, we were all ready … physically and mentally. We had a purpose … we showed up. One could feel the excitement in the air amidst the sound of shivers. Running mates were greeting one another and wishing each other good luck. The race began. I started slow and steady as I was taught. I was not concerned about who was in front of me or behind me. I utilized others as motivation not as competition. I drew strength from this … knowing we were all in this together. I was happy for them as for me. I ran with some caution given the slushy/icy condition of the road. I was silently talking to myself and encouraging myself throughout the race. I was smiling and waving and receiving the same from my classmates as we saw one another on the course. I quickly realized, as I was taught, that I was able to pick up my speed and endure since I started slow and steady and not like a race horse just out of the gate. I look to God to be with me and help me find and keep strength and perseverance when I felt it waning. As I cross the finish line, all of my classmates who had finished before me were right there on the other side of that line waiting to high five, hug, and congratulate me. I had such a feeling of pride and accomplishment. I, along with the help of others, did not take the easy path … I had a goal … I kept it … finding strength I did not have before. I accomplished this! It was not easy but, I did it! As I was feeling this, I was also glowing that my classmates had just done the same. I was so proud of us all. I quickly entered into the group awaiting our next classmate to cross that finish line. This is where we all stayed until the very last person crossed that line.
As I saw the time in which I completed the race, I was happy with and accepting of it. I did not compare my time to anyone else’s time. This was my journey … my race … my pace …for my body.
As weeks passed after the race, I continued to run and train with a new friend that I made in the class. I now have a love for running and all the aspects of my life that it touches. It is so much more than just putting one foot in front of another and exponentially more than “just 3 miles.”
I love my friend with whom I ran the first race. I am beyond thankful and grateful for all that the Genesis Team has brought to my life and have changed me for the better … not only as a runner but, as a person.
I would highly recommend the Genesis Program to all!
Signed,
Debra S. Goff … a member of the “Joy” group
Prior to Genesis, I viewed running as a chore … something to dread … and endure until it was finished. I did nothing to train or prepare my body or my mind with regard to running.
As I shared with my instructor at Genesis, the night prior to my first “solo” 5k I went out to a Mexican dinner and a late night movie. As I woke the next morning to go to the 8 a.m. race, I quickly regretted my decisions from the night before. I still had great confidence that I could and would pull it all together at the race and somehow run the entire race and do so in such a fashion that it would take nothing out of me … it would be easy… it was only 3 miles. I was relatively thin and fit (or so I thought)so “I had this.” I had one friend who registered to run the race with me. Right before the race, there were no good lucks or any other words of encouragement exchanged between us. The starting whistle sounded. Initially, I ran my hardest. I wanted to keep up with my friend. I paid no attention to my own body’s needs and what it was telling me. I cannot speak for her, but I felt competition between us … as if all that mattered was racing one another. It wasn’t long into the race that my friend whizzed past me. I became very upset with myself. I pushed myself harder. Soon my toes on one foot began to go numb, making it very difficult to continue running. I had to walk for a bit to work this numbness out before I could run again. Upon completion of the race, no crowd greeted me and cheered for me as I crossed the finish line. I finished with a much longer time that I ever wanted. My friend was not even standing there as she was across the way hanging out. My thought of excelling in this race had just come to a pounding death. Initially, I felt crushed. Why though? I wouldn’t feel that way if I were asked to take a test for which I did not study or perform a job/task for which I had no training. Due to all of this, I returned to my intermittent bouts of running with no plans for any future races.
Fast forward six months to one year later when I enrolled in the winter session of Genesis Running. During this nine-week-course, I not only learned how to physically train my body for running but also how to train my mind. This was all done with a group and there was an immediate camaraderie and a feeling of belonging to something special … to a team. The only competition I felt was wanting to better myself. I truly wanted my running mates, some already established friends and some new friends, to do well. I wanted to see them accomplish their goals as much as I wanted to accomplish my own. I looked forward to class for what I would learn with regard to further training my body and for catching up on how all my running friends were doing. I looked forward to my training runs … whether they be solo or with a running buddy/buddies.
After the nine weeks, race day arrived. It was cold and snowy … very unexpected for that date in April. Despite this, we were all ready … physically and mentally. We had a purpose … we showed up. One could feel the excitement in the air amidst the sound of shivers. Running mates were greeting one another and wishing each other good luck. The race began. I started slow and steady as I was taught. I was not concerned about who was in front of me or behind me. I utilized others as motivation not as competition. I drew strength from this … knowing we were all in this together. I was happy for them as for me. I ran with some caution given the slushy/icy condition of the road. I was silently talking to myself and encouraging myself throughout the race. I was smiling and waving and receiving the same from my classmates as we saw one another on the course. I quickly realized, as I was taught, that I was able to pick up my speed and endure since I started slow and steady and not like a race horse just out of the gate. I look to God to be with me and help me find and keep strength and perseverance when I felt it waning. As I cross the finish line, all of my classmates who had finished before me were right there on the other side of that line waiting to high five, hug, and congratulate me. I had such a feeling of pride and accomplishment. I, along with the help of others, did not take the easy path … I had a goal … I kept it … finding strength I did not have before. I accomplished this! It was not easy but, I did it! As I was feeling this, I was also glowing that my classmates had just done the same. I was so proud of us all. I quickly entered into the group awaiting our next classmate to cross that finish line. This is where we all stayed until the very last person crossed that line.
As I saw the time in which I completed the race, I was happy with and accepting of it. I did not compare my time to anyone else’s time. This was my journey … my race … my pace …for my body.
As weeks passed after the race, I continued to run and train with a new friend that I made in the class. I now have a love for running and all the aspects of my life that it touches. It is so much more than just putting one foot in front of another and exponentially more than “just 3 miles.”
I love my friend with whom I ran the first race. I am beyond thankful and grateful for all that the Genesis Team has brought to my life and have changed me for the better … not only as a runner but, as a person.
I would highly recommend the Genesis Program to all!
Signed,
Debra S. Goff … a member of the “Joy” group