Every run is a good run you just have to make the first step #SSEAirtricityDublinMarathon2017

peter 15/09/2017

“A few years ago, I got a call from the wife of one of my runners saying that something is seriously wrong with her husband. I assumed the worst, and asked what happened? She said, ‘Well, I came home from work yesterday and he was out in the garden mowing the grass!’ I said; ‘Well, I don’t think that’s bad’, but then she said, ‘considering that he hasn’t done it in two years there must be something wrong! Also, the other day he went and re-organised his wardrobe! That’s definitely not normal’, she said. ‘I don’t know what you have been doing to him in the past six weeks but please don’t stop!’ I have been competing in running since I was five years of age and I’m going to celebrate my 30th year in marathon running this year. I got so much from this sport that when I turned forty I began to think about giving back. Over the years people would say to me ‘Oh, I would love to run a marathon too, but I would never be able… I can’t… It’s way too long…’ It’s so sad to think people live their whole lives with this mindset. They start off with a positive thought and straight away they crush it with a negative one. I had to listen to this nonsense for so many years that one day I decided I would train people to show them that they can. I set up Team Carrie Marathon Runners and developed a programme that trained 721 people of all ages and shapes with a 100% success rate. I saw people’s lives change. I saw people who had been on medication for anxiety or depression set it aside when they take up running. I saw them building their confidence and self-esteem, they felt healthy and fit and they would bring that mindset to the workplace or to their relationships. I saw them becoming a better version of themselves. I always say, there is no such a thing as a bad run. Every run is a good run you just have to make the first step.”

-Team Carrie Marathon Runners got an entire town onto its feet and running. This is David’s story. What’s yours?

This post was highlighted by SSE Airtricity for the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon.