I didn’t know if I could do it. And I kept telling all of my family and friends that I never would. But a few things – my heart, my feet, and that little voice in my head – kept pushing me to go through with it.

It was on a beautiful run in early June, while visiting my aunt who lived outside of Washington, D.C, that I made the declaration: I was going to train for and run a marathon. I knew I didn’t want to do a fancy one, nor did I really want to spend every waking hour training for the thing. No, I simply wanted to conquer a feat that only a small percentage of us in the running world will ever face. It was a feat that I swore – and I have it in writing – that I never would do after crossing the finish lines of a few half-marathons in the previous year.

So much for promises.

My marathon training started as soon as I came home from my brief D.C. trip. It lasted the next four months, going into the heat of August and September, and the chilly mornings of October. More than 400 miles later, my husband, Jack, and I laced up our Asics on Oct. 21, 2007, and ran the Wichita Marathon. Our adventure started in Derby and we winded our way through McConnell Air Force Base and other Wichita parks before ending in Old Town – 26.2 miles later.

That adventure was one I’ll never forget, nor will I do again in the near future. Tears came to my eyes as I eyed the finish line just yards away, and the thrilling rush of adrenaline and pure joy came to me as the announcer called my name and I went under that yellow Finish banner.

It doesn’t take a marathon, though, to get in shape – or feel that adrenaline rush of living a healthy lifestyle. It can be a simple 30-minute walk…or restocking your pantry with healthy items instead of the same-old processed snacks. It’s a New Year, and many of us made resolutions to hit the gym, eat better, and simply live healthier in 2008. Make the resolution actually stick this year – and act on those goals you have written down on paper. A resolution shouldn’t be the reason you want to live healthy – YOU should be the reason!

This month, rather than “Lunch and Learn”ing it, Young Professionals are going to “Lunch and Burn” it. Our Young Professionals Lunch’n Burn meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 16^th. The session will feature Karin Neal, a local personal trainer, and a nutritionist from Prairie Star. It also will include information on what YP is doing to help you reach your healthy lifestyle goals (such as joining athletic teams and competing in Rec sports leagues). Oh, and let’s not forget fuel – our lunch will be a fresh and healthy one. RSVP for the "Lunch and Burn" here!

We’re young, and we should be active. It’s the time in our life that we should be full of energy and life – a healthy life.

Amy Conkling is the marketing/special events director at Hutchinson Recreation Commission. Though she’s not training for a marathon, she still enjoys her daily morning exercise routine of running, cross training, weights, and, of course, playing basketball with her dad.

Comments 

Amy--congrats on completing such an amazing goal. You dedication is so inspiring. I'm excited to get involved in some of the YPAA teams and activiites...and get healthy and fit in 2008!

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