How I Harnessed My Inner Runner

I just finished stretching out my calves and hamstrings, and also admiring my rear, aka my buns, when it hit me - "(Insert a little jingle sound) You have just harnessed your inner runner!"  I haven't been running very long, or very far... yet,... at least I don't think so.  YET, I just finished the Nth best run I've ever had in my life; the first being nearly a few days or so ago. Each run gets better and better 95 percent of the time. Prior to these "best runs of my life" the past year I have been tearing down this old agreement I carried all of my life:" I don't run" and "I hate running."   After snapping my femur in two in 2010 and spending weeks learning how to walk again and 3 years learning how to jog again I wanted to re-write my agreement to: I RUN.  So, here I am four years later running and loving it, and I'm already looking forward to my next run. 

Here are my 4 keys to harnessing your inner runner:

1 -Start the conversation in your head 
First and foremost it starts with desire. There are plenty of options for healthy-safe and suitable forms of physical activity for all persons regardless of ability, period. Swimming, aquatic activities, walking, movement, etc... are just many physical means. Personal health is an individual's choice and individual condition. SO, ask yourself - "Am I able to run for exercise considering my past and present physical conditions and experiences?" If so, where do I picture myself running? Why do I want to run? For me my primary drive for wanting to run is due to the primal instinct of survival. 

2 -Gain Inspiration & Motivation
I placed pictures of women athletes all over my fridge and alter space. I had been feeding myself this positive imagery for several weeks. The final piece to my "I'm a runner" journey was watching THIS Kute Blackson video below.  

BAM! I was it: a runner. In my heart and mind I was convinced of this. Had I hit the pavement yet? No, but I did the next best thing; I went shopping!

3 -Buy Some Running Shoes & clothes that you LOVE!
Searching for a good deal, I unknowingly discovered the perfect running shoe because I am a loving member of The Cylmb.com.  I wore and broke my shoes in first while working. Just wearing them made me think of running and feel like running. Later, I ventured to discount stores and happened to have noticed two pants that caught my eye. I bought them; they inspire me to run. When I wear them.. I already feel like I am that much quicker.. eager to run. I'd take short burst of running here and there feeling my heart. But before I hit the road there was one last thing I had to do......

4 - Make a Soundtrack, i.e. MOTIVATION MUSIC. 
I don't care what kind of media you use and I don't care what kind of music gets you pumped up, but please compile a list of motivational music for yourself. I generally compile a list of songs within the time range I want to exercise for. For example if my goal is to run/jog for 15 minutes then I compile a single playlist with just enough songs to add up to about 15 minutes in duration. That way when the last song ends I know I have completed my mission for the day.

It doesn't matter how long I run or how fast or where, but what matters is that I show up and go. What matters is that at 32 years old I can finally say "I run" and feel great about myself as well as be proud of myself for doing so. And hey, if shit goes down.. well, I've just increased my chance of survival.

Is YOUR inner runner waiting to be called upon?