Your Exercise Journey Matters!
As I am heading into the second mile of my run this morning, I see a walker carefully pull off of the sidewalk to give me the open lane on the sidewalk. As I approach the woman, she yells out, “Your exercise is way more important than mine. I will get out of the way.” I responded with a polite, “No, you deserve to be working out on this sidewalk just as much as I do!” The interaction was over in less than 10 seconds but had a lasting impact on the rest of my day. Whether we admit it or not, we all have our own insecurities when it comes to our exercise. Many struggle to simply participate in the sport when others are around out of fear of being judged or the feeling of not belonging. I have my fair share of insecurities but I fortunately am very comfortable when I am running in public. With that said, I recognize for many people, sometimes the hardest part is not the sport itself but running or walking in front of other people. While her gesture was out of respect, I would want her to know her exercise journey is important! It doesn’t matter if you are running 6 minute miles or working to complete your first 5k without walking, we all have our place in this sport. Human beings need to exercise to live a happy and healthy life. As fellow athletes who do have the confidence to train without those same fears, we need to be more welcoming to all walks of life in our parks and communities. It’s our duty to make sure we are being respectful and encouraging all abilities. A simple hello and smile can make a huge difference in someone’s workout. You may think it’s silly and that it’s not your problem but I am here to remind you that it is. At some point in all of our fitness journeys, someone either inspired, motivated, or helped us get where we are today. We all have had the luxury of receiving help and as fellow exercise ambassadors, it’s my belief that it is our duty to give it back. Ultimately at the end of the day, I believe the healthier our community the happier our environment will be. Maybe it’s wishful thinking but have you ever been to a road race where you felt negative vibes? Exercise brings people of all backgrounds together for a common goal. My encouragement for each and every one of you is to never forget where you came from. Always chase your personal goals and don’t be afraid to shoot for the stars. But also be conscious of the fact that when you climb the ladder, it’s important to respect those around you. It stood at 7 a.m. this morning and still stands tonight, all of our exercise journeys matter. Kudos to anyone putting in the work. You are doing better than you think and more than likely inspiring someone in the process!