Exploring the world on Foot

I began running in high-school and I've not stopped since. Running for me gives me confidence, builds endurance, betters my mood, and my sleep. I have heard people say I can't run, "I have asthma." Of course talk to your doctor, but I have found that running has helped me build endurance to not rely so heavily on my inhalers. I may not be fast, or be able to have a conversation with you while I am running, but I aim to be consistent.

For running you don't need any equipment. I just recommend a good pair of shoes and a I can do it attitude. Set a destination in mind and run to it and set another one and run to it so on and so forth. It's OK if its from this pole to that pole. It's ok if its slow, its also ok if you need to walk a bit, but just start.

One of my favorite running memories has nothing to do with me but someone that I met. I was working at a hotel and this group had checked in and one of the guests was asking about a great running area. All the employees pointed to me. Now I have never run a marathon my longest run was once 13 miles. I usually run 4 to 6 miles when I run, my pace is a slow pace I average 10 to 12 minute per mile. I was feeling pretty great when the other emplyees said talk to Sarah about running. I shared with this guy about several parks in the area and the trails that the downtown offers, he was very nice and took a map of the area, but didn't say much. I didn't realize I was talking to David Goggins. The David Goggins, if you don't know who he is I suggest you pick up a few of his books. My brief encounter meeting him and a few other incredible people has inspired me to continue running.

FIND THOSE THINGS THAT INSPIRE YOU!!!!!

I have had the oppurtunity to go on a jog in several countries. I used to wake up and jog with a friend from Kygrystan. We would run through the streets of Istanbul a city of over 17 million people. We would hit the streets around 5am while running we would hear the call of prayer throughout the city. Along the way we would be greeted by all the street dogs, it was almost like having my own dog! They would come running up to us wagging their tails ready to play. They would run with us for a few blocks and go on their way. On our way back to the house we would be weaving in and out of the people and trying to not get hit by a car. My favorite runs in Istanbul were when we would catch a bus and head to the sea. There we would be chased by the cool breeze from the water and not worry about getting run over by a car. The trek back was always interesting. We lived in a very conservative neighborhood. Im sure it was a sight to see and looking back I hope it was not offensive. We were these two light featured girls dripping in sweat in our western workout clothes trying to make our way back home. I think we stood out a bit.

I lived in a post soviet country for a couple of years and this is where I really fell in love with running. Running became a great hobby, it became a way to destress and clear my mind. However I did develop a healthy fear of running in the dark. There were no more 5am runs. When the sun came up I would hit the streets. There were hardly anyone on the streets. It was me a few stray dogs and the street cleaners. This was a night life culture, nothing like what you would see in the states. Families are out having picnics and socializing till 2am. So the morning around 8am was my time! This city is beautiful. There was so much detail in the architecture with beautiful fountains and statues throughout the city. I would race up a place called the place of a thousand steps on a clear day see Mt Ararat. I would think about the history and were I was and take a few deep breathes and was very grateful to experience such beauty. Then I would make my loop back home and not worry about dodging cars or people. It was quite, it was peaceful and something I needed to start my day.

Shortly afterwards I moved to Tbilisi. This is where I turned my 4 to 6 mile jog to 9 or 13 miles. I told myself if I can picture myself running to a place then I can physically run to that place. There was a small lake lake like pond near my house. It was only about 4.5 miles away, the only difficulty with this was that the first part of the run was straight up hill. So the battle was mental. If could I picture myself running up hill for the first half I told myself I could do it. I just had to take my time. Only one time out of the few years that I lived there did I have some stray puppies come and nibble on my shoe other than that it was just me and the street cleaners in the morning. I would carry something equivalent to 50 cents in a pocket because once I got to this body of water, Im not sure what you call it because it was small but had a walking trail of about a mile around it. once I arrived I would buy a bottle of water and sit on a bench and enjoy the scenery and then continue around the loop back down the hill.

Since being back in the states, I am not sure what it is, I have struggled to develop a consistent pattern of running. I have the motivation, but not the discipline maybe. Honestly maybe a little bit of fear of running. It's a question of what if I am not safe and what if something happens? I used to pop in my earbuds and play my favorite songs as loud as I wanted and not pay attention to my surroundings and just go. We don't live in a time where that is safe. I have become a lot more guarded. I wear one ear bud I carry pepper spray and I am aware of my surroundings. I want to get back into the discipline of running and not just the motivation of running.