Join us for a compelling conversation with Christopher Sobie, a man who has harnessed the power of running to aid recovery, setting an example of resilience and determination. In our chat, Sobie opens up about his evolution from a casual runner to a dedicated athlete who recently completed an arduous 100-mile run. This episode is a testament to the power of perseverance, as Sobie shares the highs and lows of his journey, including the moments he felt like throwing in the towel.
Sobie's inspirational story doesn't end there. We delve into the pivotal role of his friends, partner, and coach in his running journey, providing the backbone of support. Sobie's race day experience is an incredible narrative, showcasing the strength of community in endurance running. His experiences, from the meticulous logistics planning to the euphoric sensation of crossing the finish line, underline the importance of a robust support system.
In the final segment of our chat, Sobie reflects on his feelings of accomplishment and how his passion for running has fortified his relationships. His story is an inspiring reminder of the transformative power of setting and achieving goals. Whether you're an avid runner or someone who's never laced up a pair of running shoes, this conversation will ignite a spark of motivation to challenge your limits!
For over 50 years, Harmony Foundation has worked as a nonprofit to serve those seeking recovery from substance addictions. Our residential and intensive outpatient programs are in a collaborative and respectful treatment environment with multiple specialty tracks offering additional support. Our main campus is nestled on a 43-acre campus in the Rocky Mountains just outside of Estes Park, Colorado, that promotes physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. With one of the most robust alumni programs in the county, clients remain connected and empowered for a lifelong journey of recovery.
For more information about Harmony Foundation, please visit:
www.harmonyfoundationinc.com
Join us for a compelling conversation with Christopher Sobie, a man who has harnessed the power of running to aid recovery, setting an example of resilience and determination. In our chat, Sobie opens up about his evolution from a casual runner to a dedicated athlete who recently completed an arduous 100-mile run. This episode is a testament to the power of perseverance, as Sobie shares the highs and lows of his journey, including the moments he felt like throwing in the towel.
Sobie's inspirational story doesn't end there. We delve into the pivotal role of his friends, partner, and coach in his running journey, providing the backbone of support. Sobie's race day experience is an incredible narrative, showcasing the strength of community in endurance running. His experiences, from the meticulous logistics planning to the euphoric sensation of crossing the finish line, underline the importance of a robust support system.
In the final segment of our chat, Sobie reflects on his feelings of accomplishment and how his passion for running has fortified his relationships. His story is an inspiring reminder of the transformative power of setting and achieving goals. Whether you're an avid runner or someone who's never laced up a pair of running shoes, this conversation will ignite a spark of motivation to challenge your limits!
For over 50 years, Harmony Foundation has worked as a nonprofit to serve those seeking recovery from substance addictions. Our residential and intensive outpatient programs are in a collaborative and respectful treatment environment with multiple specialty tracks offering additional support. Our main campus is nestled on a 43-acre campus in the Rocky Mountains just outside of Estes Park, Colorado, that promotes physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. With one of the most robust alumni programs in the county, clients remain connected and empowered for a lifelong journey of recovery.
For more information about Harmony Foundation, please visit:
www.harmonyfoundationinc.com
Hey, hey, welcome to season two, episode 23 of Monday State of Mind, brought to you by Harmony Foundation. My name is Michael Mausel and I am your host. Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. Every time a day you're going to listen to this episode of Monday State of Mind. So excited to be here with all of you, and I'm so, so excited to continue the conversation that I started with all of you talking about running and recovery and how much running has just transformed my life. But it's transformed my life.
Speaker 1:If you guys listened to that episode, it was episode 21. If you guys listened to it, I talked all about just how I have found sobriety and the tools of sobriety and recovery have really, like I said, transformed my relationship with running and how it's inspired me and how it's motivated me to keep going and so insert why I have this amazing human with me on the podcast today. So if you guys have been thorough listeners of Monday State of Mind, then you'll recognize his voice because he is returning to hang out and drop some serious gold, probably even inspire some of you. So I'm just going to warn you that if you have even thought about running or maybe you're like I hate running I bet by the end of this podcast you're going to be going to a runner's roost or maybe even online, and you're going to be ordering running shoes, because that's just the type of guy this guy is when we start talking about his running adventures and what it's done for him Personally I'll even say professionally, I'll say even for his recovery and he's one of my very best friends. He's also somebody that's going to run the New York marathon with me and I cannot wait for that because that's going to be quite the adventure.
Speaker 1:But I'm also going to say to you guys that 26.2 miles for this human is like a freaking walk in the park when you hear his story. So you guys, I have the Christopher Sobey aka Chris Sobey, aka, in my world Sobey, I have Sobey back on the podcast. Sobey, Sobey, how are you?
Speaker 2:I'm good. I'm really good, happy to be here, happy to be talking to you again. It's nice to reflect on a year of big goals when it comes to running.
Speaker 1:We're going to dive right in, you guys. So, sobey, since I've known you, you've progressively upped your running game. It started out with, I think it was, maybe a 30K, maybe it was even more than that, a 50K. You just dove in. But the cool thing is is like you finally went for that 100 mile run and there's dedication, there's discipline, there's moments of I want to throw in the towel and not do this, and I feel like a lot of that also is what we do in recovery, and so I want to ask you, when you reflect on your running and as it pertains to recovery, or even just as it pertains to how it's helped you as a human being why did you start getting into it, what made you start getting into running and what has been one of the biggest reasons that you've continued to enjoy this sport?
Speaker 2:That's a good question. So for the first like maybe seven or eight years of my sobriety, I'd go to the gym and I'd get out and just kind of be like a weekend warrior. But then when I got with your husband, jesse, to ride the Colorado Trail and have that big goal and a whole year dedicated to that goal, there was something there that just really inspired me and made me feel I don't want to say whole, because there's other things that make me feel whole but like made me feel like I was progressing right, like I was growing as a human.
Speaker 2:In that physical exertion towards biking the Colorado Trail it seeps into mental and emotional. And it was two years ago that my buddy, eric, said hey, you should sign up for this 60k. And like I dabbled. I did cross country in high school but that was man. That's like 18 years ago. Wow, 18 years ago I knew that I had cardio and I was like that sounds fun. You know, I like doing stuff with my friends.
Speaker 2:So I signed up and it was just the whole experience of the race and the training and build up and then the execution and that whole process. I was just hooked immediately. I knew I wanted to do it again. I knew I wanted to go bigger and so I set some big goals this year. We started off you and I ran a marathon in March and I liked that early season run because here's the deal with me If I don't have a plan, if I don't have it laid out in front of me, I'm probably not going to do it right, yeah. And so that early race was like okay, here's your baseline. And then the goals this year were the never summer 100k, which was in June.
Speaker 1:So that was 66 miles and 14,000 feet and I I Hold on Say that again, you guys, for everybody to listen, like guys understand. So we ran 66 miles and what was the elevation gain?
Speaker 2:Like 14,000 feet 14,000 feet.
Speaker 1:Okay, Keep going.
Speaker 2:So well. Last year I ran the never summer 60k, which is like 30 some miles, and that was like 8,000 feet.
Speaker 2:And I got this shirt for doing it right. And the shirt said never summer 100k. And I was like, well, now I got to come back and run the 100k right, because I can't just wear a shirt that says something I didn't do. I wanted to do that race and that same guy that asked me to do my first race two years ago I was like let's do 100 Miler. And I was like, okay, right. Like I remember that I felt like and I think sometimes it's still like I'm trying to I want to say like prove myself. But to who? Right? It's like this internal conflict. But so I did a signed up for 100 K, 100 Miler, and then the New York Marathon. So I linked up with a awesome coach.
Speaker 2:I truly believe in running coaches. I feel like it's kind of like having a sponsor right. If I don't have direction in my life, then I'm probably just not going to do it because I'm that's just kind of like my nature. And so having that action and having that everyday plan, just like when you wake up and you do your morning routine, kind of the same thing, you wake up and you look at what you're supposed to do today and then you go after it, and just that completion of the daily tasks. I feel like those mini goals. It's just like when I work I make checklists of what I have to do today. It's kind of the same thing and it just helps keep the focus on today and not get really anxious over wow, I'm going to go run 100 miles.
Speaker 2:Right, it's just like this is today I'm going to run eight miles and, to be honest, when I started training two years ago, three miles was a big run, right. Yeah, like my plan would say run for 30 minutes, run for 45 minutes, and that was the beginning, right, that's where I started. And so when people talk about I can't believe that you ran eight miles, it's like, well, I started with one, right, you got to start somewhere and it takes time and you have to be patient. And the thing with training is like during training you're going to feel tired, your legs are going to hurt, you're going to feel worn out, but if you're doing it right and you have a good coach, you're going to reach the pinnacle of your fitness and then you're going to taper and you're just going to explode on race day. And it's worked out every time for you so far.
Speaker 1:I love the mentions. Is that correlation of coach for running, sponsor for recovery? And I would love it if you could even speak to, because a lot of times, like we're all about sharing our victories, right, like oh, I went out and like it was an awesome run. Today, things are always great. People think, oh, you did a hundred miles, so it must be easy for you. Life is like you've got this, no problem. I would love it if you wouldn't mind sharing about even just like moments where you were like I didn't want to do it, the days of like throwing in the towel, or the days of like this was hard, or days where you're like I don't know if I can do this. What was it in those moments that you kept going Like, how were you able to be like you know what? It's just a feeling and I can keep going. I would love it if you could share about that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's a good question. So last year I had a right ankle sprain. That happened when I was running at sunrise and golden and I was actually trying to hurry up so that I could get to speaker medium seven and I rolled my right ankle and I was like it's over right, I can't train anymore. And lots of hours of PT and I went to the foot doctor and I was able to get to a jog and then progress and then a month later I rolled my left ankle right and so, like I rolled into the Never Summer 60 K last year with not the best training because I had two weak ankles and I went out and I changed shoe brands and I was running with taped ankles. Every time I went on trail I had stirrups around both ankles and three pieces like wrapped around.
Speaker 2:And I surprised myself in that race. First of all the fact that I got to the start line and at least gave it a try. Right, that was the goal. So I set goals for every race. We can talk about my Never Summer goals in a little bit, but, like, goal number one is always to finish right, doesn't?
Speaker 2:matter how slow you go, just get through it, finish. I blew my own mind and then this year it's been a lot of ups and downs. There was a day where I was running and it got really hot and I ran out of water and I had to call my fiance to come pick me up and I just felt so defeated because I had set up to do this goal. I felt short, I had to call for a ride and there was so many times just going through my training log and that's one of the things that I love about my current coach is our training log. You log your mileage in all your stats but then you log how do you feel today? Is there?
Speaker 1:anything that affected you?
Speaker 2:Is there anything that was bothering you out there? Then you go through and you rank how are you mentally, how are you physically, how are you fatigued, how are you sleeping? Then she reads it in response. There's just so much in here where I would say I don't know if I'm a runner, I don't know if I can do it because my body it takes a toll, and there's so many days with knee pain or hip pain where it's like I'm not built for this, and the positivity that the feedback from friends and coaches you can do this, keep pushing through if you need to take a rest you know, and it's all just this optimistic outlook that my internal mind doesn't have, and so I need to talk to other people and they give me feedback and it keeps me going.
Speaker 1:I love that and I love the fact that you say it's kind of like sobriety with goals. We always have goals of okay, like I want to stay sober today, I want to stay sober for a month, I want to get through these different steps. If you work a 12-step program, I would love it if you would talk about too, like you said, like you had to set goals for an ever summer, and then we'll dive into the hundred like setting those goals and like the discipline behind it and I'll just say, trusting the process to get to these goals, sobi.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I was just looking through some of these and it's like I'm not feeling well, I'm not feeling great, but in the end, when you step up and you're committed to something and you have written goals and for run, rather run, there's a cutoff time of 36 hours. And that was my first goal, right, and I named that. We did it. The second goal, 30 hours, was like I could earn this belt buckle. That was the main goal. And then I put 27 hours as my holy shit goal and that's what it says. And then 24 hours was like the impossible goal and for every race I look at those things and kind of like where I'm at and what I think I can do, and that's how I go about it.
Speaker 1:So I want to dive in because you just started talking about run, rabbit run, the 36 hours, 30 hours, 27 hours, like holy, what if this is possible, right, and I kind of look at the 100 miler. I was thinking about this before we started talking. I was like, you know, when you look at sobriety like if you can do 10K or even a 5K or 10K, it's like you know, that's like your first six months to a year, like you got this, you're doing it. Then you get to a marathon. Maybe that's your first couple of years of sobriety, you're getting into a routine and then it's like anything over a marathon. I look at it as like you're deepening your discipline. You're deepening like where can you take this? Like where can I take my recovery? Where can I take my running Insert 100 miler run, rabbit run, which you like absolutely crushed and slayed, and I'll let you talk about that.
Speaker 1:When you look at that sobriety, for anybody out there that is even considering how is that possible? Because you guys, I want you guys to know, sobriety is like just a normal human being that works a full-time job. Sobie's not this sponsored Courtney DeWalter. Sobie is a normal human being like me that chose to make the time to do this. And not only do it, but he slayed. And there's a lot of people out there, sobie, that are like, if I have a full-time job, like Sobie does, how do I make the time? What does that look like? Is my life gonna be all running and nothing else? How can I choose to go for something like this? But then, whatever you wanna call, and I'll put it in air quotes ballots. How does the rest of life fit in for somebody? That's curious.
Speaker 2:That's a great question. So I'm a creature of habit and when you're on a training plan, it's the same thing every week for me. Tuesday morning I woke up early, 4.30. I hit the trail at sunrise and I was back to my desk by eight and I knew where I was gonna go and that moment of running on sunrise set the temple for the week. I love that. I love that feeling. I just feel connected. There's deer running around, the sun's rising. It's the best thing.
Speaker 2:Wednesday I know it's gonna be a hard workout and get up, get it done and get to work. And then Thursday, recovery day. And then Saturday, sunday, long runs. And it's like a creature of habit and getting in a routine and just like in recovery, right. Routine for me it's waking up, it's reading something, it's spending some quiet time, it's going to a weekly meeting on Tuesday, going to a meeting on Thursday, just like going to work, just like anything. It's just became part of my routine and I know how it is after a race when you take time off. Trying to get back into it just seems like the hardest thing in the world, right? I just did this thing. I haven't ran in a few weeks. I can't make it to the door and put my shoes on and get out the door, that feeling of what blocks me from just starting the training or just getting out the door to do something fun. There's a big block there and sometimes it takes a lot of encouragement from others just to get into it again.
Speaker 2:But like I said, it started with small runs and over time that evolves and by the time I got to the starting line at run rather run and I was looking at my training plan, I had 1200 miles on my feed that last year And-.
Speaker 1:Oh, my God.
Speaker 2:But like, if you prepare, then the race shouldn't feel like a major shock to your system. Yeah, yeah, so it was just like this is the week, this is how it's gonna go. Yeah, it takes a lot of sacrifice on the weekends. I know Ileana's like-.
Speaker 1:You just read my mind, so keep going. I was gonna ask you about sacrifice. So you, because again it's like recovery. You started out this life, so recovery, if you wanna stay sober, it takes what people think is sacrifice meetings, working the steps, being so like aware of our actions and our behavior so that we can fix what we weren't doing so well in active addiction. And that rolled into like running for you, like there is the ultimate sacrifice of time and wanting to be supported, and I'm so glad you started talking about it. So please keep talking about how your fiance, how you communicated the importance of this to your fiance and how she was able to support you, and also, like you, being grateful that she was an anchor for you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we had a very, very busy year. Very busy year, town for I was out of town for nine weekends in a row and priorities sobriety first, relationship, work, family and then running. Right, I'm a recreational runner, it's not my highest priority thing, so you have to adapt and be flexible and if my partner needs time I have to give her time, I get to give her time, I think for me. I look at the whole year and that finishing your run or have it run, and I don't feel like it's my accomplishment, I feel like it's our accomplishment, all of the people that help support me, and even what we can talk about race day. It was a group effort and Ileana was there every step of the way, supporting me and during the race, pretty much keeping me going, but without her support I would not have been able to look at that race, and it's something that we can do together. If we're just going out for fun run with a dog, I cherish those moments. I love that.
Speaker 1:I love that you said it's a wee thing because so many people Sobi think that running is a one man show, like it's a lonely, isolating sport and people can pick and choose, kind of like recovery, like people can choose to do it by themselves. It kind of sucks, in my opinion. Insert community you started talking about it. What happened for you on race day, not just with Ileana, the Pacers, everybody, our main man Brett helping you, just the importance. Like you said, I couldn't do this if I didn't have support. I love it if you talk about what does community look like for you with running and how has that even inspired you to keep running?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, this year I've gone on so many beautiful training runs with people in recovery and rarely do I ever do it by myself. I feel like having those moments and sharing them with other people is just 10 times better than going solo.
Speaker 2:But on race day there's a lot of logistics that go into planning 100 miles and I love the planning right. There's 16 aid stations where your crew can meet you and then there's various spots in these races where people can run with you. They're called Pacers. And so I assembled a crew of some really good friends and I said here's what we're gonna do. I need your help. So we all got in a little condo and steaming boat I think there was like six of us sharing this little condo and you get at the start line and everyone's there, that feeling at the start line of, like jittery but excitement why am I doing this, right? Why am I about to go in the woods for over 24 hours, like this is so stupid, all those thoughts come rushing in.
Speaker 2:And then the first opportunity to see my crew was at mile 18. And so I roll in and I see Ileana and I see my other buddy and it's just like. That feeling is like just I can't describe it. And then they help you empty your trash, they fill up your water bottles, they get you whatever you need. And then you're like, okay, we'll see you later, right, bye, yeah. And so it was kind of a weird race. I didn't get to see him again. So mile 50, right, so between mile 18 and mile 50, ileana, who was like the crew chief, had no idea how I was doing, so she usually uses the first aid station as a good indicator if I'm doing well, how fast I'm gonna go. And I roll into 50 and she's freaking out. She's like you're going so fast.
Speaker 2:And the height is real and there's, my whole crew is there. And at mile 50, I pick up my buddy, james, and James is a very good runner, he's also in recovery. He runs 19 miles with me. We're talking, we're having a good time, he knows how to motivate me, what to say, what not to say. And then we get back there to the same aid station, and the crew is there and they're feeding me potatoes and I'm getting started to get delusional.
Speaker 2:And at this point they're doing for me literally what I could not do for myself. I'm not even kidding. Ileana changed my socks and shoes for me. They are running into the tent and bring me back potatoes. And at this point you're pretty far out of your mind and they're like you need to eat this, you need to do this, are you cold? They're literally just like keeping me going because I cannot think straight. And then Brett oh my gosh. So our buddy Brett, incredible endurance athlete. He says he'll run 38 miles with me and I'm like you're serious, you want to do this whole thing?
Speaker 2:And he's like yeah, you know like nonchalant, Like why not? Yeah, I know it's going to be the longest run of his life and he's doing it to help me. I can't describe the feeling that that is For someone just to volunteer their time. At 10.30 PM, Brett joins me 10.30.
Speaker 1:PM. It's already dark. I'm sound asleep. Yep, keep going.
Speaker 2:Just because that's what we do for each other. I don't know if that's a stretch to say that, but I feel like if someone asked me to do it for them.
Speaker 2:I'd say, yeah, let's do it. And so we run from 10.30 at night to 10.30 in the morning, 38 miles on the Continental Divide Trail. It's like 30 degrees. The creeks are freezing. I can't run anymore, so I'm walking because my knee is locked up At one point. I go to lay down. He's like yelling at me what are you doing? You can't lay down. I didn't even think about it, I just went to lay down. And then we get to the finish and we're running side by side.
Speaker 2:This is Tel Aviv, or on YouTube, so there's a drone shot of this. Iliana's sprinting to see me and my crew's there and I'm getting like emotional because when I got to the finish line, this feeling of gratitude and this feeling of accomplishment hit me and I just cried. Iliana and I embraced and just emotions and I can't describe the feeling of finishing that race and the community that came together. Like I said, I can't do that on my own. It's a total team effort between a coach, kristen and physical therapist and all the time spent getting dry-needled and overcoming soreness and injuries, and I crave that feeling. I wanna go do it again.
Speaker 1:Thank you for sharing all those details. You guys, and I hope that if you guys that are listening to this, you really hear from Sobi, you really hear how important community is, the importance of community and not doing it alone. It's a big deal. That's how we find purpose and amongst our purpose, we want people there to celebrate and support us, sobi, as we wrap up. What are some things? As you are out in that 100 miles towards the end? I would love to hear what are simple sayings or simple things that you thought to yourself to continue to do this Cause so many people could be like, nope, I'm done. 50 miles is great, 60 am dropping out, but you persevere.
Speaker 2:This is not a small feat, Such a good question and I think something to preface it is. Running brings me to the highest of highs and more connected feeling than I have felt in a long time. Running also brings me the lowest of lows, where I'm like F. This, this is so stupid. I don't want to do this ever again. I swore off running in the middle of the run, rather run for like probably like five hours, like okay, this sucks. Running is stupid. Why am I doing this? But there was a time it was like four am.
Speaker 2:It's dark, everything hurts, it's cold when I started to remember the friends that we've lost and I thought let's do it for them, those friends that have made it and haven't been given the gift that we've been given, and I started thinking, let's do it for Keenan, let's do it for Zach, and I just really dug deep and really had intention about thinking and celebrating those friends and really trying to get in touch with the universe or higher power or whatever it may be, and just think, like you can do this, you know You're really close, just keep moving your feet. And that's kind of the mentality is just like move your feet, don't stop. Move your feet, move your feet and prove that darkness and that pain cave.
Speaker 2:The sun comes up, you get warm and all of a sudden you come out of it and you can finish and you can run. And that battle internally it's tough. I just feel like our experience in going through the cusp of alcoholism that is the hardest thing that I've had to do in my life, right.
Speaker 2:Not buying this 100 miler, getting sober, going through detox, going through treatment, feeling uncomfortable, thinking that there's no point to live to going there is no feeling, that is worse than that, and so kind of channeling that into running and just pushing through. That's where I go. You got this, you can do this, just keep moving.
Speaker 1:Amen, I love it and it's so true and thank you for sharing that. It's inspiring and I love being able to see all the different correlations that sobriety has when it comes to running Soby, what's next when you think about? Because, again, it's like you can do 100 milers, you can stay sober, like anything is possible, right, Like I fully really believe anything's possible. So what's on the docket? What are you thinking about?
Speaker 2:Well, just got engaged last week, so right now we're thinking about what I'm finding. New York marathon with you. We've got some lofty goals for that, because I've finished a couple of races this year. It's given me the opportunities to apply to some lotteries, so gonna toss my name in the hat and see what comes of that.
Speaker 1:Nice.
Speaker 2:And if those don't work out, I guess I don't know, we'll figure it out, but I don't want to stop. It's a dictating, that feeling, the planning I never thought I'd be a runner, right Like I didn't consider myself a runner until this year and I had ran a couple of marathon thoughts last year. I don't want to be known as a runner. I like mountain biking, I like fishing, I like camp. You know, I like it all.
Speaker 1:but I know, guys, when I met Sobi just so you guys know when I met him the man was a crossfitter. I was like the kid had big old muscles, like he was like bulging those legs and those shoulders. He was a goddamn crossfitter and I have my feelings about CrossFit. But and now, like you and I remember you having that identity thing with running, Even last year, I'm like you're a damn runner. It's amazing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think I've officially accepted that I'm a runner for now. We'll see.
Speaker 2:But for now, like they say in sobriety, I want to say I did have a cool experience for these races, that kind of like want you to put a little factor of yourself. And so for the never summer race, I was like screw it, I'm going to put that. I've celebrated 11 years, this variety, and so I come across the start lining this like nine o'clock at night, so it's dark and no one's there. They're like Christopher Sobie recently celebrated 11 years of sobriety and this guy came up to me and he's like hey, man, I just celebrated 11 years too, like right after I finished, and I thought that was such a cool experience. And I come to find out that a lot of people in recovery are into running or just endurance sports and I think it's because and this is just for me, but it's how I feel the most connected these days- it's just another way to get connected.
Speaker 1:Ah, christopher, so be. You are such a gift and I am so grateful that you chose to be here. If people wanted to follow you just to be like. What is next for Sobie? Is your Strava public? Is it Instagram? How can people get to see and follow your journey? Yes, for so beyond.
Speaker 2:Strava, strava is worth that You'll find them.
Speaker 1:I know where he's at, on Strava, sobie. Thank you so much. If there's one last thing, if somebody's thinking about getting into running, if anybody's like like what do I do? Like how do I start? Like what would be one or two things that you would say to somebody that's like that's cool that you could do it. I can't do it.
Speaker 2:Oh, just start by going for time. Say I'm going to go run for 15 minutes. That's how I started. My training plan was not based on mileage. That's too daunting, it doesn't matter how far I go, I'm just going to go run for 15 minutes. And tomorrow I'm going to go run for 20 minutes. And that is how I started. Because when I'm running for time, it doesn't matter how fast it is, it doesn't matter how far it is, it just matters that I accomplish the goal of 15 minutes. And you just have to start small and set these little goals and then, over time, when you build that up, all of a sudden you're going to have to run for 45 minutes. But we're not thinking about that today, because we're just running for 15 minutes. And that's how I started and that's how I would suggest what starts. There you guys have it.
Speaker 1:It's amazing and inspiring and I hope any of you that are listening to this find some sort of nugget. Whether you apply it to running, you apply it. I'll say it again CrossFit, if it's biking, hiking, whatever, but just know you don't have to go and do it alone. It takes time. Grant yourself grace amongst the entire process.
Speaker 2:Selby thank you. Let me say one more thing. Let me say one more thing.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, you say it, say it One more thing, you say it when you get to the start line of these races first of all, everyone's there for fun and the general camaraderie is amazing.
Speaker 2:You don't know these people, but everyone's helping each other. The second thing is that there is every size and shape person imaginable running these things. It doesn't matter if you're fit, if you're working on being fit, it doesn't matter, none of that matters. Go to a start line of any race and you'll just see all walks of life and everything. I love that so much. Thank you for saying that, and I think that is so important it is inclusive, and that's what I love about the running community.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, exactly so we thank you for being here.
Speaker 1:You guys. Another episode in the books. What a way to start your day, you guys, or end your day. But thank you for tuning in. Before we part ways, I want to remind all of you that help us. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to Harmony Foundation at 970-586-4491. Just remember that together we are building better humans. All right, you guys, we'll see you next week.