Two things were absolutely fabulous yesterday, there were other good things, but there were two things that really struck me as incredibly significant....both led me to tears (ok, I cry easily). I share these as inspiration for the day.
Item numero uno! My most fabulous friend, "bestest" friend, that I'm working with called yesterday. She proceeded to tell me that for her long run, she not only veered away from the training plan, she cremated it! Instead of doing cycles of run/walking, she decided to see just how strong she was by letting her body just go, letting it run as far as she could without stopping! She not only ran past the 9 minutes she was supposed to have run, but she kept going and ended up pushing it into a 2 mile run!! This news was utterly amazing, extremely significant, monumentous to say the least! After 18+ weeks of training, diligently sticking with the workout plans, suffering through pains and doubts, it has all paid off. We are well on the road to her first 5K race in over 20 yrs!!
I shed some tears after our conversation because really, this is what it's all about. It's about making the choice to suffer, to struggle through doubts and fears and come out a stronger person. It's about the effort it takes to put yourself out there in an uncomfortable circumstance or situation that causes you to grow and stretch. It's about persevering through troubled times and finding joy in things you normally don't enjoy. My friend is amazing. She's so much stronger that what she believes, she's so inspiring to me and others, and her journey is just beginning to unfold. I'm proud of her, I'm learning from her, and I absolutely LOVE that I can be a part of her journey and share in it with her (cry sometimes too). New motto? Yep, hers is "Suck it up and RUN!"
Item numero dos!! I received a Facebook message the other day from a friend I haven't seen in almost 20 yrs. I quickly browsed through the message until I realized that her words were bringing tears to my eyes, so I re-read it more carefully. Another person on a difficult journey of finding health, wellness, and happiness and looking for support. In this message, she said "I really have to make a change in my life and am ready to do it. I know now may not be the best time of the year to begin trying to learn how to run with winter fast approaching, but honestly I could find an excuse for any day not to exercise." Now isn't this true of all of us? Can't we all find an excuse NOT to exercise? It is about making a choice, deciding to change our lifestyles, patterns, diet, habits, etc. My friend, you are not alone in this. I'm proud of you for deciding to make a change (yes, Michael Jackson inspired line) and no time like the present to do it! Find a companion, a support system, a partner in crime who'd like to join you on a journey to good health too and be an accountability partner.
These inspiring stories made it a little easier to roll out of bed at my 4:30am wake up call. 4:30 gives me enough time to eat, stretch, gather my items and drive on over to a friend's house (a crazy friend who also enjoys running in the dark of night) for a 5:15am 10 mile run. I have come to enjoy running in the early morning hours because it provides a sense that all is at peace in the world, everything is quiet and still, even the birds have not begun to chirp. Your voice echos, your headlamp cuts through the darkness and lights up a small portion of your trail, your breathing is seen with the morning chill, all the houses are dark and cars are parked and traffic has not yet begun, it's amazing! The beauty of it begins as the sun slowly makes its way up the horizon, over the trees, and illuminates the sky with brilliant colors of orange, pink, and yellow. It's so breath taking, it never gets old, and it makes the 4 1/2 hr night sleep absolutely worth it. Running early with a friend is the best way to start the day, followed by some caffeine to keep you awake while you scurry to get your children ready and off to school, and if you're lucky, a 15 min power nap in the pick up line!
Motto today? "I choose Running."
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