I am not a marathon runner

I had a lot of anxiety about getting new shoes.  As I walked into the running shoe store today, I was prepared for a strange look from the associate when I had to explain to him that I was running the NY Marathon in 26 days and needed a new pair of shoes.

 

Me. Yes, big ole me, running the race. I don't know what I was expecting him to do. Maybe cough up a laugh that he did a poor job of holding in, and then just break down and buckle over in laughter. Maybe I thought he would look coyishly around in search for candid camera.  Maybe he would treat e like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, believing me to be some lying nutcase.  I don't know what I was thinking he would do. Because all those thoughts, those insecurities in my head are just that. 

In my head. 

Instead, he fitted my feet and sold me a pair of running shoes. That was it.  

I keep saying I'm not a runner. I haven't been running for years.  I don't have a runner's physique. I'm not dressed in the latest runner's fashion. I hardly even match my Walmart capri leggings to my tshirt of choice.  I don't wear a fuel belt filled with waters and gels. Heck, I'm still having a hard time fitting one of those belts to fit around my waist. 

 

But I need to stop thinking about all of that stuff.  That stuff doesn't matter.  I really need to stop worrying about what I appear to be because truth is, I AM a runner.  All I need is a good pair of shoes and my headphones (ok, and a good sports bra), and I can feel like super woman in just a few miles.  I feel empowered knowing that I started from running just during the choruses of songs, to woohoo, running a straight mile to where I am now. 

I AM a runner. 

 

And anyone can be a runner. You don't have to look a certain way or dress a certain way or even know what you're doing.  You just have to start running.

And in 26 days, I'll be a marathon runner. Who would've ever thought?