I think I may still be a bit tired from my Runner’s World weekend. Why do I think that? Because when I thought about the topic, “Inspiring others to run”, Chicago and their song “You’re the Inspiration” immediately jumped to mind. You can thank me now for not including a video. I’m sure that Marcia and Patty did not have that song in mind when we came up with the topic LOL.
I didn’t start running in order to inspire people. In fact, I don’t generally think of myself as particularly inspiring. I’m just a slow mother runner, who likes to do stupid crazy fun things. (As an aside, I had a conversation with a friend last night about other runner friends. She mentioned a friend who just ran 3 marathons in 3 weeks, and another friend who ran a recent Ragnar and immediately afterwards ran a marathon, and another who did full Ironmans (Ironmen?) on consecutive weekends. She then turned to me and said “I have no normal friends” LOL)
Anyways, my point being – there are plenty of amazing and inspiring people out there. Am I inspiring? Maybe? I feel more like I’m Papa Bear in the bicycle lesson – “this is what you should not do.”
But whether I’m inspiring or not, I do try to be involved in organizations that help inspire others. I love Girls on the Run, I’m an ambassador for 261 fearless, and I love to promote Skirt Sport’s “RealWomenMove” movement. As you can tell, I’m especially drawn to organizations that are inspiring women to get moving.
I run for me. I’m selfish like that, but I do hope that the organizations I belong to continue to inspire runners, one set at a time. Because even if I only inspire one woman ever to pick up running, it’s worth it to me.
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Running gets in your blood and we all get kind of crazy I think. I great kind of crazy.
There’s a thin line between inspiring and crazy. 🙂
I run for me too. I was inspired by others to get back in to shape so if I pass that inspiration along, bonus.
Don’t overlook all the mrtt ladies you inspire!
You are involved in so many great things and such an inspiration to so many through your running, your blog and involvement with so many different groups!
When I saw Jillian the other weekend, I loved the way she explained it: motivation is internal–that driver within yourself to keep moving. Inspiration is something that is external–it can be anything and everywhere. So I like to think that simply by setting an example, getting myself out there, I am inspiring someone to start, and then my hope is that they will find within the motivation to keep going!
I run for me, too, but I think you inherently inspire others by getting out there each day and sharing your story on this blog 🙂
I think we all run for ourselves, not realizing at the outset how much other people are watching. Sharing our stories is always going to be inspiration to someone, whether we realize it or not. Thanks for sharing!
It’s funny how most of us started out blogging that way. You never know who you are an inspiration too. Someone is watching I assure you that!
Um. I wasn’t tired from running and I still managed to not only think of the Chicago song but include a link to it on my blog post. What does that say about me?
As for inspiration, I have a ton of people who inspire me, including a huge group of awesome runner friends I’ve met in the past three years. I can’t imagine my life without them.
Well I think stupid, fun & crazy is very inspiring! I got inspired to run by watching my sister and others. We may not think we do anything inspirational, but you never know who is watching.
I hear a lot from other runners that I’m “inspiring”. But that’s not why I run. I run for me. But I do blog to maybe get other women running. Heck, I’m OLD!
I am always inspired by your posts and seeing you train for back to back races….I couldn’t do it! It’s so interesting to see where people find their inspiration.