By Alisa Bonsignore | Senior Member
I’m a runner. It looks strange to see that written down on paper. Even though I’ve been running since 2006, the word “runner” to me conjures images of serious athletes with killer abs wearing nothing but sports bras and tiny micro-shorts while qualifying for the Boston Marathon. That’s decidedly not me. I’m more of your lumbering-along-on-a-Saturday-morning runner, the one who is solidly 2/3 of the way toward the back of the pack in the average half marathon.
But the funny thing is that while I’m not the kind of person who gets excited about going out for a solo run, I really enjoy the camaraderie of running with others. I spent five summers running with Team in Training, the fundraising arm of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, for which I raised thousands of dollars for research and patient support. There I met a fantastic coach and several running buddies who keep me motivated and moving as I train for races.
What’s more, I love races. No, there’s no chance that I’ll ever win one, but I love the energy and excitement that surrounds a race. That energy carries you, even when your legs have had enough. A good half marathon is the culmination of months of training, the celebration of the hard work you’ve put into preparation.
Since 2006, I’ve run half marathons in the Bay Area, Philadelphia and Nürnberg, Germany, and shorter races in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Texas, DC, Massachusetts and London. I try to work in a race (often just a 5k) when I’m on a business trip. I may not be inclined to run alone on an unfamiliar route in a faraway city, but I have no reservations about running alongside a thousand like-minded strangers.
Much to my surprise, I’ve even had the opportunity to pair writing with running as a contributor to the bestselling book, Tales from Another Mother Runner. In it, I talk about how expectations are everything when it comes to running. Once I let go of the “shoulds” surrounding my running, I started enjoying it more. It was a good life lesson for me.
But I realize that running isn’t forever. Last year, at the request of a friend, I expanded my training repertoire and started cycling, with the goal of participating in a 55-mile ride for charity. In October, I set out on my first-ever organized ride, having raised more than $1,200 for the American Diabetes Association in honor of four friends who are Type 1 diabetics. I really enjoyed riding, and can see that being the next step for me when my knees and hips no longer handle a long run.
Whatever the activity, there’s a definite connection between my body and mind. The more time I spend out there, the more time I have to work through the professional challenges of the week. The fresh air and the rhythmic breathing help me to negotiate contracts, draft emails, solve problems, rehearse talks, and look at projects in a new light. Giving my body a physical challenge gives me the mental clarity to go the distance and be a better consultant for my clients. It’s also given me a good opportunity to give back to organizations that matter to me, through both fundraising and volunteering.
So look for me in the vineyards on Saturday mornings. I’ll be training for one of three half marathons that are on my calendar for 2016, and solving my professional challenges as I go.
