23 OK…for some people, this title may seem weird, but runners will confirm it is not! And if more and more and more people run (127 runners in the 1st NYC marathon in 1970, more than 52,000 in 2016. It’s the same in Paris: 126 finishers in 1976, 41,708 in 2016), it is obviously because they can confirm that running gives them much more than being fit. Emil Zatopek, one of the greatest runners of the 20th century, said “If you want to run, run a mile; If you want to change your life, run a marathon!” Of course, all Course du Coeur (CDC) runners would modify this saying to “If you want to change your life, run the CDC.” Running is such a wonderful way of life. Run… and you will feel good. Run… and you will feel strong. Run… and you will be happy. Being fit and feeling good in one’s body is just so impactful on one’s self-confidence in everyday life. Feeling good with oneself helps so much in feeling good with others in anything we do. This is true at work and every minute as well. It is also very true that 80% of all that we do is mental. Have one very good reason to keep your objective, not allowing oneself to fail, and you will reach it. Yes you can The “Yes you can” power. Maybe you believe that you cannot run a 10kms, or a semi or a marathon, but I bet a lot that you can. Stick precisely to the plan, and you will reach your objective. Anyone can do in the matter of a few weeks or months, only rule is to keep going step by step, to trust the plan and to believe in it. Do not postpone, do not listen to reasons that could keep you from following the plan. When reaching the line you did not believe was achievable, you will be “on a small cloud,” feeling so overwhelmed by happiness and proud at full throttle. Endorphins are such a fantastic drug of happiness: after a good run, feeling zen & good changes the day, any day starting with a run will be a good day whatever happens. Endorphins are generated by the run. They really create a feeling of bliss or euphoria, so that after a good run, you can take anything far more easily than you would have otherwise. Run for a cause you value. Running for others is just so very gratifying first for oneself, and moreso for the association or the ones you run for. Creating a positive virtuous circle. See Laure’s post if you haven’t yet “Running for someone: who does it benefit?” Run with music, jump in the rhythms you love. They will carry you. You will fly and not even see the kilometers (or miles). Run without music and enjoy the area around you, breathe the air, discover a countryside or a city you do not know. This is such an amazingly wonderful feeling. More & more companies encourage their employees; governments push sport as a cure. The UN task force even promotes: “Sport can cut across barriers that divide societies, making it a powerful tool to support conflict prevention and peace-building efforts (…) Sport programs promote social integration and foster tolerance, helping to reduce tension and generate dialog.” Looking for inspiration? Sharing my 4 favorites:• Discover the World with Jamel Balhi, www.coureur-du-monde.org• Free to Run, Documentary by Pierre Morah• Born to Run by Christopher McDougall (Read the Tarahumara story —it is amazing!)• Le Running au Féminin by Cécile Bertin LET’S DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY FIRST! Running WILL make you happy! Submitted by Géraldine Courtois-Menguy Photo by Curtis MacNewton on Unsplash
