I went to an athletes' clinic! I'm an athlete!!
This morning I went to Virginia for an 8 am Team in Training clinic and run. It was early, drizzling, and chilly but I didn't care. I had fun putting on all my different layers of gear. I felt very fancy.
Our first presentation was by doctors from a sports clinic, who gave lots of advice about preventing injury and a coupon for a free visit. I thought "Hey, I might have to go to a SPORTS clinic! Cool!" Then our coaches (John (whose 24-year-old son has leukemia) and Anita) talked to us about training and technique. Finally, someone from a running store came and showed us different shoes and gear and gave us more coupons. This program is good at making you feel loved.
At the end of the clinic, Coach John said, "Can I just say something about shoes? I know some of you are thinking that you'll go buy shoes at a discount store. You're thinking 'I shouldn't go to a running store--those stores are for real runners.' But please don't do that! You are running marathons. You are ATHLETES. You deserve to go to a running store. You deserve to have great shoes. Please do that for yourselves. You are athletes."
I'm an athlete! It's like someone gave me a whole new piece of myself.
After clinic, we ran just a little over 2 miles . I was slooowww, which is how I always run. But that's okay. Lots of people are slow, and they promise we'll get faster. And who cares--I may be slow, but at least I'm a slow ATHLETE.
(And just in case you're worried--I already have great shoes from a real running store.)
This morning I went to Virginia for an 8 am Team in Training clinic and run. It was early, drizzling, and chilly but I didn't care. I had fun putting on all my different layers of gear. I felt very fancy.
Our first presentation was by doctors from a sports clinic, who gave lots of advice about preventing injury and a coupon for a free visit. I thought "Hey, I might have to go to a SPORTS clinic! Cool!" Then our coaches (John (whose 24-year-old son has leukemia) and Anita) talked to us about training and technique. Finally, someone from a running store came and showed us different shoes and gear and gave us more coupons. This program is good at making you feel loved.
At the end of the clinic, Coach John said, "Can I just say something about shoes? I know some of you are thinking that you'll go buy shoes at a discount store. You're thinking 'I shouldn't go to a running store--those stores are for real runners.' But please don't do that! You are running marathons. You are ATHLETES. You deserve to go to a running store. You deserve to have great shoes. Please do that for yourselves. You are athletes."
I'm an athlete! It's like someone gave me a whole new piece of myself.
After clinic, we ran just a little over 2 miles . I was slooowww, which is how I always run. But that's okay. Lots of people are slow, and they promise we'll get faster. And who cares--I may be slow, but at least I'm a slow ATHLETE.
(And just in case you're worried--I already have great shoes from a real running store.)
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