Hen House Heroes Never Give Up
All Hen House Heroes have one thing in common: they never give up. Leigh is a “Chickening IN” woman who persevered because it was the right thing to do. Little did she know, passion was taking root in her heart and a love for running was about to bloom. Initially, Leigh didn’t enjoy the sport. Up until about 10 years ago (age 39) it wasn’t a part of her life nor did she imagine she would enjoy it so much. This is what makes Leigh’s story so inspiring…she was not a natural born runner, but if you met her now you would never know it.
A Little Background About Leigh
It’s Never Too Late to Take Care of Yourself
Try and Try Again
Try, Try Again and Try Again…
Try a Different Approach
Having a partner was a great idea but it wasn’t fail proof. Leigh still fell prey to inconsistency. If one person was ill or couldn’t make it then neither of them ran. Instead of giving up, they added another person to their team and bingo! Three was the magic number. If one couldn’t make it, two could still run and Leigh began to reap the benefits of constant running.
Tweak Your Plan Until You Get it Right
Still not in love with running, Leigh came across a national running group called Mom’s Run This Town or MRTT (2500 members). She got connected with the local chapter’s Facebook page. Not convinced she was good enough to join the group…she admits to stalking their Facebook page for several months. Inspired by what she saw, she signed up and began meeting up with ladies who ran the same pace as she did. This was a game changer for Leigh. Building relationships on the many road and trail runs, she became accountable to other runners as she began to organize and host group runs.
Love for Running Bloomed August 2015
After consistent training, setting goals, and getting connected with MRTT, Leigh’s passion for running started to bloom. She has come to realize that running is part of her lifestyle. It has given her a fuller, more vibrant life with richness a color.
As for her 49-year-old body…she isn’t focused on the cons of aging anymore. In fact, she feels more energetic with sustained energy all day, and is getting quality sleep. In addition, thankfulness for her body and the ability to run has deepened. She is grateful to God…grateful for her next breath and her next step.
The Journey Belongs to You
“You are a beautiful masterpiece, with a unique combination of body, mind, emotion, and spirit. There is no one like you, so comparing yourself to others is like comparing apples to penguins. Don’t do that to yourself. It’s futile. This journey is yours and yours alone. And there is beauty in that process. Find what works for you.”
Leigh’s Accomplishments 2016:
Leigh set out to complete 6 half-marathons this year. To date she has surpassed her goals with a total of 13 half-marathons and logging just over 1,000 miles! WOW! Now that is Chickening IN! In 2017 her goal is to run her first 30K and full marathon at the CIM in December. Leigh is a true Hen House Hero for doing what was right, never giving up, and showing us that passion can develop over time!
Leigh’s Advice for New Runners:
- Get a good pair of shoes…very important. I strongly encourage that you get your gait assessed and proper fitting of the shoe through a reputable running shoe store.
- Join a running club like MRTT.
- Don’t compare yourself to others – live your journey.
- Surround yourself with people who have already accomplished the goals you are aspiring to accomplish.
- Consistency and accountability are key.
KatieDecember 27, 2016 9:39 pm
She is so inspiring, thanks for sharing!
JJDecember 28, 2016 3:11 am
Totally agree!!
Shanti @ Life Made FullDecember 28, 2016 2:33 pm
That’s my Leigh Leigh! Love her!!
Kim YoungDecember 29, 2016 12:55 am
Sounds like Leigh’s love for running has finally reached the size of her huge heart ❤️ Just keep running, just keep running 😊
JJDecember 29, 2016 4:01 am
Beautifully said!