Activ Life Postcard [wellness tip #3]

Dear Activ Life enthusiast

I’m no expert. Sure, we’ve both run a couple of half marathons in our time, but have yet to make the 42-kilometre commitment.

Whether the person in this photo is just getting in his daily exercise or training for something bigger, this photo Sarah captured on her way to teach a client along Seven Mile, prompted me to ask some of my running buddies for their favorite inspirational quotes.

American ultramarathon runner, Dean Karnazes, was mentioned several times. Not only does he hold the unofficial record for the longest run without sleeping, he’s also said some pretty encouraging remarks to help even the least motivated runner to pick up their stride.

The man who ran 563 kilometres over three and a half days without stopping said, “There is magic in misery. Just ask any runner.”

"Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up."

Running is like any worthy pursuit. The hardest part is getting started. Once you start, the initial resistance disappears. How often do you turn around after one minute and head home?

It’s a celebration of what your body is capable of. Running allows you to truly accept rest and recovery. It makes you more aware of what you consume and how this energises or fatigues the body.

“I don’t run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days.” A quote attributed to sports medicine specialist, Ronald Rook.

Emil Zátopek, who achieved a historic feat by winning three gold medals in the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and the marathon at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, said “If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.”

And here’s a good one from renowned Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami who was quoted saying, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”

The inspirational quotes are endless, but I’ll leave you with a final one from Oprah, "Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."

Have you caught the running bug? Whether it’s your first mile, a marathon goal, or just loving that runner’s high — we’d love for you to share a quick story, photo, or your favorite running quote to inspire others! Head to our Instagram page and leave a comment.

Your favourite travelling yogis

Louise and Sarah