This is the last in a series of posts that tie back to the 11 Life Lessons I Learned From Running.

Running gives me an opportunity to slow down from my often hectic life. There are few obstacles to watch out for, only self-imposed deadlines to meet, and the opportunity to let my mind wander. During my runs, I try to remind myself to look up from my feet and to notice the view around me. Even in the suburban area where I run there are some beautiful views. I have watched the sun set behind the trees as the sky turns colors. I have seen children playing with their dogs.

With today’s fast-paced lives, it’s easy to get lost in the details. Never looking up from our planner, or any further than the car in front of us. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to notice the world around us; simply looking up every now and then will do it. Perhaps you’ll catch someone helping out a stranger; maybe you’ll see a beautiful sunrise; perhaps you’ll realize that the snow is beautiful, as long as you look past the roads.

The world is full of amazing things, don’t forget to look up and take notice!

This is a part of the series of posts that tie back to the 11 Life Lessons I Learned From Running.

Running was horrible when I started. It was only a short distance until I was winded and had to slow down. My legs burned on the hills and I couldn’t get a deep enough breath. Plus it was cold out there! 45 minutes later, I was back home with 4 miles behind me.

About a week later, I finally managed to conquer my running arch-nemesis, the long hill in the middle of the run. Conquer it I did, and after running the whole thing without a walk break I victoriously stopped at the top, gasping to catch my breath. Another couple of weeks, and I was finally able to run the entire distance (on a treadmill) without walking at all.

Just like running, life is also a work in progress. It takes time to acquire the necessary knowledge and to build up the required skills. Just because something is hard when you first start, doesn’t mean you should use that as an excuse to quit. It will get easier; you will get better. It won’t be long before you look back and will be surprised how far you’ve come, how easily you can do that which seemed impossible so recently.

Yes, it’s hard, but that makes you appreciate your victories all the more.

This is a part of the series of posts that tie back to the 11 Life Lessons I Learned From Running.

I had a number of reasons why I didn’t start running. Those reasons were negated, and I continued making excuses for a couple of months. Finally, my wife told me to just go do it. “You can’t write about not making excuses if you’re going to keep doing it yourself.” So a-running I went.

Once I began it wasn’t so bad. One foot in front of the other. Now that I have some running behind me, I really wish I had started sooner, so I could be better now. Time I wasted with excuses.

No matter what, the conditions will almost never be perfect. You won’t have enough money, enough time, enough support, the right clothes, the perfect location, cooperative weather, or corporate backing. You have to make do with what you have, make necessary changes as you go along, and in the end you’ll arrive.

You already know what you want to do, so get out there and start doing it!

This is a part of the series of posts that tie back to the 11 Life Lessons I Learned From Running.

Without a running partner, I find it easier to give in to my excuses and not run when I know I should. Not only that, but when I don’t have a partner, I don’t have someone who really understands my small victories and the challenges I face. There is no one to talk to during the boring sections or to share the beautiful views with.

Like running, life is better when shared. Good times are doubled when shared, bad times are lessened through support. Accountability partners help you pus on and meet your goals. Watching those ahead of you helps motivate you because if they can do it, so can you.

Sunsets are just more beautiful when you share them with others!

This is a part of the series of posts that tie back to the 11 Life Lessons I Learned From Running.

After I start walking during a run, it’s hard to get back up to speed. I just want to keep walking. Inertia can be annoying! I have to make myself begin running, and those first few steps are hard.

Like running, life is the same. I’m sure you have experienced the mental sticky-ness at work after a vacation, or how hard it is to get up on Monday morning after sleeping in over the weekend.

You make yourself do it because you have to, then you get back into the swing of things and life flows again.