with apologies to Yogi Berra (one of my childhood heroes) - but it is so very true. Since we are kicking off several new 'couch' programs - let's start from their (the 'new runner's) perspective. Do 2 things first, 1)Look in the mirror and tell that person 'good-bye', close your eyes, open them and tell THAT person, "I am a RUNNER!" "I am an athlete!" The more times you tell yourself that, the sooner you will start to believe it - The Ga. Tech tennis coach Bryan Shelton (I believe) tells his players to tell themselves constantly that "I am the best" - and to ACT like it even if you don't believe, because if you fake it long enough, you WILL start to believe. And he's right; tell yourself, over and over again. Why, in our society do we want to belittle our achivements, great or small - somewhere along the way modesty and humility got mixed up with minimizing. Here's the thing - IT'S NOT A LIE!You ARE an athlete, you ARE a runner - when we meet for a group run what are you doing? RUNNING....Dress like a runner, eat like a runner 'BE the Runner!' You'll start to believe it, then you won't have to talk yourself into going to run, you'll want to - you'll see the muscles in your legs, you'll sleep better, you'll burn more calories your heart will grow stronger and your resting heart rate WILL decline, and you WILL meet your goals - one day at a time, one run at a time. Secondly - believe yourself, believe IN yourself, ignore the naysayers - not too many years ago women were discouraged from running (actually at all)but any distance and why? Because their 'insides would fall out'?!?! You think? Shouldn't there be a slow leak at first? I've had women in my programs tell me that their grandparents and parents said the equivalent (pick me up off the floor - I really thought those days were gone!). Guys - you're geting stronger and melting pounds, slowly at first, but you ARE melting them, listen to YOURSELF! Also sweetly ignore (for the most part) friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses - be your own runner. They may tell you that you're slow, tell them you're fast enough to finish; and if you finish, you win! EVERYTIME! Some are trying to be helpful, some are not, many are jealous because they wish they had YOUR spirit, your determination, your desire. Every run is an achievement - and a great rule to live be: NEVER BELITTLE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS...You ARE A RUNNER!