Olivia McGeever, 128 TCCS

“Know why people run marathons? Because running is rooted in our collective imagination, and our imagination is rooted in running. Language, art, science; space shuttles, starry night, intravascular surgery; they all had their roots in our ability to run. Running was the superpower that made us human- which means it’s a super power all humans posses.”

This is an excerpt from a book I highly recommend, Born to Run.

Running fascinates me, and the fact that I can love and hate something simultaneously with such vigor.  I consider myself a below average runner, and I pray that it’s not my superpower, my unremarkable pace could probably be power walked.

Regardless, I run.

I go through fits of obsession, running every day, loving the routine of making a playlist or plugging in a podcast and logging some miles no matter the time of day.

But lately, I dread running. I never regret it once it’s done, but the motivation does not come easy. The hour leading up to it typically consists of me sitting in my sneakers and workout clothes hoping for an excuse to avoid leaving my house.

I’m burnt out and looking for variety, motivation, something to light a fire under my butt to help me train for my marathon which is fastly approaching!

I’ve reached out to volunteers who run regularly, casually and competitively for ways they stay motivated, prepare for races, and properly take care of themselves in Thailand!

The first section of this series will focus on training,  how to set goals and achieve them during your service! Tune in next week!