"I Run Because It’s What I Love"
I started running at 13 years old and competed throughout High School and college in California. Even though I have become busy with life I have made it a point to continue running. Over the past 13 years I have completed several 1/2 marathons (13.1), 2 half Ironman’s (1.2 swim, 56 bike,13.1 run) and a marathon. Even though I enjoy competing, I am not always running to train, I run because it’s what I love.
Running/exercising has always been important in my life. Throughout my 30 years of running I see how I am a better parent and person because I have made it a priority. I am able to get the stress out by getting fresh air and doing something physically demanding, in turn being able to make decisions better, think clearer and simply be a healthier person as a whole.
After having my first child, I quickly realized that I was going to have to become more creative with ways to fit my exercising into my life. I learned to do things like, run around my back yard, and around the playground where I could see my children playing. I ventured around the neighborhood and hit trails with my kids in the stroller. Another trick I used was to find a friend who also enjoyed exercising and trade off with them (while they ran I watched their kids then switched off).
As I hope to be able to encourage you to run, walk and ultimately exercise, it takes you making it a priority in your life and soon making it a habit. I certainly understand lives are busy but hopefully as you make exercising a priority, your days will run smoother and you will feel better all around.
If we feel good about ourselves, our daily lives do not have to feel quite as overwhelming as they really are sometimes. All it takes is to have the desire and make it a priority. Just remember, you have to start somewhere; going out for 1 or 2 songs around the block at your own pace is a perfect starting point.
Don’t get discouraged, press through and just remember to have fun with it.
Juli Zacharias lives in Williamsburg. She is 43 years old and a single mother to 4 children; now 18, 15, 13 and 10 years old. She works at Mother’s Day Out, substitutes for York County and is a Field Hockey official.
We are so excited to announce that Juli Zacharias has agreed to be www.WilliamsburgFamilies.com’s runner in the upcoming Christmas Town Dash! As our second year sponsoring the event we really wanted to have a runner and Juli was our first pick. Many of you will know her from Mother’s Day Out at Williamsburg United Methodist Church. She is a local favorite among many little ones in Williamsburg and their parents! We will be cheering her on and posting pictures of race day!
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