Take the Ultimate Challenge || Guest Post with Allison Evans

Welcome to the first in a series of guest posts on a variety of health and fitness topics.

I'd like to introduce Allison Evans, editor, who immediately caught my attention with the experience of unintentionally running 2 marathons in 8 says. Read her story and find out how her perspective of "strive for the impossible and you'll find the best version of yourself" might apply to your challenges whether it's running or something altogether different.

Hi everyone! I’m Allison and I blog over at Running with Mascara, which is the official blog for the health & beauty website, Fit & Fab Living.

Like Jill, I LOVE fitness and working out in general. My passion is running, although I have come to love strength training, too. And by strength training, I really just mean Bodypump, the greatest workout class ever! I wanted to share my running stories with you today and how they’ve come to shape my whole being.

I started running once I got to college and found myself overwhelmed by academics. It became an instant way to relieve stress and boost my spirits. I wouldn’t say I loved running at this point, but I had discovered something new that was having a positive effect on my body and my spirit. 

I had never actually run any races because I never considered myself a “real runner” (whatever that means). One summer day, I randomly signed up for my first race – The Walt Disney World Marathon. I felt driven to prove something to myself. To prove that I could do something that literally seemed impossible to me. I trained like crazy and finished in about 4.5 hours. Like many runners, one race was all I needed before I was hooked.

I signed up for another race later on that year, but I got lazy in my training, fell ill the night before the race and, as expected, did horribly. Probably my  worst running experience ever – it took over 5 hours to finish and I was in a lot of pain.

Four months later I decided I wanted to redeem myself and train extra hard for my next marathon. I spent 19 weeks training and managed to prioritize running, even on the weekends, which was challenging. 

 

But when it came time for marathon number three, I accomplished a goal that I didn’t even think was possible – a 3:57 time. I was ecstatic and convinced that anything was possible. I had originally signed up for a half-marathon the following weekend, but I was on such a high that I changed my half-marathon registration to a full marathon registration. I sometimes wonder what I was thinking trying to run 2 marathons in 8 days, but it became a personal challenge.

Come that following weekend, the temperature plummeted to the low 40 degrees, and it was blustery and rainy. Miserable running conditions to say the least. After stepping out of my car to head over to the start line, I almost got right back into the car and drove home. Thankfully, I didn’t give up. And you know what? I shaved an additional 11 minutes off my time!  It’s my belief that anyone can run a marathon. I’ve watched people from all stages and walks of life run/walk marathons and it’s inspiring. If any of you would be interested in taking the challenge, here’s a Beginning Marathon Training Plan that I wrote for Fit & FabLiving.

The reason I’m sharing these brief running stories with you is not that everyone needs to run back-to-back marathons to prove something, but that we rarely know our true limitations until we push ourselves. Running was the way in which I challenged myself both physically and mentally to become a stronger person. Even if you’re not a runner, you can surely find ways that you can challenge yourself in your own life. For me, the harder the challenge, the greater the personal reward. So my challenge to you is to set a challenge for yourself, and not something that you know you can do. Strive for the impossible and you’ll find the best version of yourself.

Thank you, Jill, for letting me post on your lovely blog! 

Visit Allison's blog for my guest post on clean eating and a new challenge, Running with Mascara [All About Clean Eating].

 

 

Comments

[Kathleen]

What a bonus to read this blog today! Today is the day I gave myself to start to get back in shape and I need all the motivation I can get, so reading this blog spurred me on. Thanks.

[Laurie]

Great post! I love your thoughts about finding the best version of yourself. I may not be inspired to take up running, but I am inspired to find the best version of me. Thanks for the push I needed to get going! :)

[Lee Currie]

Oh how I needed this today, Allison - and Jill! Not only did I need the motivational boost - but the beginning marathon training plan is a great start. NOT that I'm running a marathon, but just thinking of it as a plan for my walking. Gotta walk first, right?

[Laura T.]

What a great post ... so inspirational and motivational. I so badly want to get in shape, and reading articles like these help in motivating me.

[rani]

Allison....great post! I enjoyed reading about how you started and realize that I want to run, but never considered myself a runner. I'm looking forward to the challenge Jill has for us with clean eating. Thanks for the motivation!

[Tina]

Wow two marathons in 8 days! I'm going to be doing my first full in Chicago this year and at first I was full of fear and decided to take that fear and prepare myself... Only on day 10 of training but will definitely be checking up on your blog for tips and ideas in training! Thanks for the motivational post!

[Sandra Collins]

I like Leehave got to start walki first - then may come unning. Thanks for the boost.

[jillconyers]

Hi Sandra. Walking is great. What is most important is to move. Have a  great day :)

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault

[jillconyers]

Walking is great Lee! Just keep moving :)

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault

[Allison @ Running With Mascara]

I really want to run Chicago one day, too! Good luck! You'll do amazing!

[Allison @ Running With Mascara]

Thanks, Laura! Just know that if you make a plan and stick with it, you can do anything you want!

[Allison @ Running With Mascara]

Agree, Lee! As long as you're moving, you're doing great!

[Marcie Howe]

Awesome inspiration! I've been slacking on my personal fitness for a while so thanks for the motivation to get moving again. Good luck!

[Michelle]

Thanks for the inspiration!

[Darlene]

Great post and wonderful inspiration! I need to get myself moving, and like other commentors, I'm starting with walking.

[Jocelyn]

Great inspiration, it really helps put things in perspective reading about other peoples experiences!

[JoanS]

It is a wonderful thing to let your mind talk you into pushing your self-imposed limits. For most people it usually ends up being something they talk themselves OUT of doing. I am one of those rare people who actually "can't" run a marathon (heart defect) but would love to have been able to try. What I can do, though, is take up running for better health (doctor very okay with this!) which seems to always be in the planning, not doing, stage. So after reading this I feel like I just need to get started. Get started by walking, next walk-jog, then jog, and ulimately run! Your post is very motivating. Thanks for sharing this.

[iDebbie]

Great, inspiring post! I need to get my injured knee fixed so I can get back to a walking program. Thanks for the motivation.

[Mel]

Wow, that's impressive and inspiring :) Good for you!

[Lisa]

Good for you for turning to fitness to relieve the stress of college! I wish someone had gotten me started in fitness at that time in my life, when it would've been much easier to get started and, hopefully, create a life-long habit and passion.