Running changed my life, so I'm always eager to bring that same joy into others' lives as well. So today I have a unique giveaway. It's a marathon shirt. Not just any marathon shirt, but one from the New York City Marathon... the grand-daddy of all races!
You can not win this for yourself.
Instead, nominate someone who is in the beginning stages of their run journey. A friend, a family member, someone you just met at the gym. Maybe someday they'll run a marathon, maybe not. My hope is that this shirt will encourage them that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE when you start running... to DREAM BIG! (If you are a beginner and really want this shirt, then talk someone else into coming here to nominate you.)
Think of this as an opportunity for YOU to inspire another beginner.
Aspire to Inspire!
1. In a comment below, tell me about your friend who is starting (or returning) to the sport of running. Why you think they'll succeed and some words of encouragement.
2. Newbies... please comment below with a question you may have about running... anything at all and I'll do my best to answer. I will be following up this giveaway with a feature on all the Beginner Questions.
3. Be sure to tell your new runner friend to check out RunWithJess.com and like me on Facebook for daily encouragement.
Giveaway winner announced Friday, January 11. Winner will be picked at the discretion of Jess, so tell me your best story. The winner receives an Asics technical long-sleeve shirt, unisex size XL.
GOOD LUCK in the giveaway & on your run journey!
Peace, Love and Happy Runs!
Jess
Peace, Love and Happy Runs!
Jess
My husband is starting running this weekend! We've both let our fitness slip over the last year, so I signed him up for the Warrior Dash in July and he is dreading it...but I knew if I didn't proactively take the initiative for him, he never would have done it!
ReplyDeleteMy friend Ashley inspires me. She has just started running after losing 45 pounds. Which is an amazing accomplishment after having 4 girls. She wants to run a 5K and I can't wait to watch her cross that finish line. She inspires me and I love that she is an inspiration to her girls.
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my FANTASTIC wife, Damary. I became a runner almost 3 years ago (2 full marathons, 2 half marathons, and over 25 other races), and am training for my 3rd and 4th marathon. My wife has decided that she is making a fitness lifestyle change and is refusing to quit. She signed up to run the Kentucky Derby Mini (Half marathon) and I will be running the Full. We will run together until the split. I came home from my 5 mile run to find her on the treadmill (I run at 3:30 in the AM) and I couldn't have been more proud of her.Not only is she taking up running, but she is becoming such a positive role model for our 3 daughters (8 years old, 6 years old, and 1 year old). This shirt would keep her motivated during the grind of training, and serve to remind her that she can acheive whatever she wants to. She is my heart, my soul, my sun, and my moon!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to enter my husband, Tim. Hes always been my number 1 fan and supporter. This year, he's made it his goal(he won't say resolution lol) to live healthier and be more active. He's even joined a weight loss challenge to help jump start his goal and motivate him! I'm very proud of him already and it's only the 4th day of the year!
ReplyDeleteLast year on a whim, he decided to do the Super Spartan with me. I was very worried that he would injure himself as he never trained let alone ran a mile in the 8 years I've known him. To my surprise, we finished side by side and it ended up being my favorite running memory of 2012. BUT, he hurt all over for about a WEEK afterwards. That was when he realized that we're not spring chickens anymore! He's taking life more seriously and wants to be a better example for our youngest son.
My friend Holly inspires me. After all, she IS the main person I have to thank for getting me started on my running journey. I'm new to running and Holly has been doing it for awhile but this year she has had some setbacks and has had to basically start over like a new runner would begin. Holly is in the stages of training for Ironman and I am just so proud of her. She has been in a cast this year due to tendon damage and has had to go back to a run/walk program because of her fussy foot. She does not let that stop her, she continues to put herself last and help others achieve their goals while she trucks along working on her goals. I am impressed by her ability to self motivate and to never give up even when she wants to quit. She is a strong woman and has an amazing level of perseverence. I know this shirt would encourage her to continue on her running journey and to not give up!
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my friend Katie. She used to be my running partner, but after some health issues,and starting a job after being a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, she stopped running completely. Now that she has recovered from her health issue and work isn't as stressful, I am trying to help her get back on her running feet. But, as we all know, running after a long hiatus isn't the easiest thing. I know she wants to get back to where she was before, but I think the thought of starting over is too overwhelming for her. Maybe this shirt will help put some pep in her step and get her back to the starting line!
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my MOM! She's truly the reason that I got into running. She trained so hard for her first half marathon back in 2005 and we so excited after she crossed that finish line! I wanted that feeling and excitement as well so I started training with her and we finished my first half marathon together in 2006. Recently she has had really bad knee problems that has kept her from training. I can't explain how many times she has expressed that she has misses running. Fortunetly she has started going to a personal trainer to get her back in the grove of things, and to not put so much pressure on her knee. I've very proud of her for getting up from this injury and pushing on with her running!
ReplyDeleteYou know that moment when you meet someone and you know right away that they are meant to be in your life for a reason? For me, that person was my friend Meaghan. I met her two years ago today when she walked into Weight Watchers for the first time. I was sitting next to her when she reached her goal weight. She's become my best friend, my confidant, my sister from another mother. I've watched her struggle and I've watched her succeed. I've been running for a year and a half now and after I ran my first half marathon in April of 2011, she was motivated to attempt to run. I told her we would run her first 5k together. She didn't care if it took her an hour, she just wanted to accomplish this. We signed up for Girls on the Run-a mere 8 weeks away. 2 weeks before the race, she injured her knee. I ran in her honor and told her I was going to PR for her. I PR'ed by 4 seconds. Her knee got better and she was given the all clear to start running again. She was 1 week away from completing couch to 5k and she had a horrible boating accident that resulted in bruised ribs and a hyper extended neck. She also ended up with a bad case of pneumonia and bronchitis. That was in October. She's since been given the all clear to run again, but has yet to lace up her running shoes. She's terrified that by attempting this again, that she will end up injured again. I'd like to nominate her to win this shirt so that she knows when she's ready to start running again-I will right there next to her, every step of the way.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so she isn't actually a newbie, but I nominate my sister, Kristen Grimes. She and I started our journey together during my 40 th birthday year when I had my "midlife crisis". She has been my rock and inspiration for three years (going on four). Just recently we've both been struggling to get out there. Her's is the bigger problem. Knee pain is keeping her hobbled while itching for those great runs. I nominate her so that even during this difficult time she'll remember that the good runs will come back and she'll be flying again soon and probably running 26.2 while I cheer :). She already follows you :).
ReplyDeleteI nominate my friend Heather, who lives back in VA (while I live here in IL). As she follows my weightloss progress and running adventures on facebook, she has commented about being inspired by me and wanting to do the same types of things. She started a Couch to 5K program and although I am not certain she has stuck with it the whole way yet, I know she is trying hard to reach her goals. She has worked as a 911 dispatcher for about as long as I've known her, but her goal is to become a police officer... unfortunately, the physical test keeps holding her back. I know she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. She is SO freaking smart and talented and I hate that this one area of her life seems to elude her. Any motivation or inspiration I can offer to her, or anyone struggling with weight and fitness, is priceless to me!
ReplyDeleteMy 2nd nomination is for my friend Celeste. A stay-at-home mom of 8 (eeek!!) and a minister's wife, she has a BUSY life! She recently met one of her biggest goals, which was to get rid of her diabetes and no longer be on medication for it! As she continues to lose weight and gain a new life, she was inspired to start running (probably because it's all I ever talk about and she was annoyed! lol). I even got her to sign up for a virtual 5K (which we are doing together in 2 weeks). Her husband, Joe, has also gotten into it and has dropped some weight as well. I think she is setting a great example for her kids and showing them that hard work pays off and you can achieve great things. I look forward to seeing her continue to change and maybe one day I will get her to do a live race with me!
ReplyDeleteI nominate my friend Jess. She is signed up for her first marathon right alongside myself, and I'm so proud of her. I think that we can all use some encouragement, especially tackling new race distances. :)
ReplyDeleteI nominate my wife, Margaret. She is doing c25k and dietbet and is just 1 week into her challenge. She is also planning her first 5K in March. You have already inspired her so much, and I thank you for that. Now she is inspiring others. She has 5 friends who have joined dietbet because of her, and she is trying to get other family members to try c25k.
ReplyDeleteMy friend, Tessa was released to start running again on Dec 17th, 12 weeks post-surgery. She is somewhat discouraged by the amount of fitness that she lost, and the pounds she had gained during her recovery period. She is back at it hard and ran-walked a 5k race on New Year's Eve. She is back in the gym and has also joined the dietbet challenge and is a constant motivator to many of us.
ReplyDeleteMy friend and coworker Somer gave up waiting until it was convenient and hit the pavement consistently last fall. She and I are still newbies, and I'm proud of her determination.
ReplyDeleteShe and I will be running Color Me Rad together in March.
I'm nominating my good friend Bonny Skolnik as a newbie runner who's gonna kick some a$$phalt this year. She's recently had a whole new start to her life. Divorce, new boyfriend, degree, new job AND a new love for running! She ran with my for my 1,000th mile and she inspires me with her enthusiasm. She totally deserves recognition for sticking with it through colds, vacations with kids home and supporting herself as a single mom!
ReplyDeleteI am nominating my friend, Donna. She has been an amazing inspiration to me! We have been friends since 2008 and have never met! I wrote about her and my nomination on my blog. Please read it and considered her nominated! Thanks, Jess!
ReplyDeletehttp://cupcakestocardio.blogspot.com/2013/01/aspire-to-inspire.html