Running has taught me...

Attitude is everything.

If I set out to run and I'm carrying too many burdens, or I'm feeling sorry for myself, or I'm in a negative mindset, odds are I will have a miserable run that either results in calling it quits early or walking more than running.
As much as I hate to admit this, there are many runs of mine that I do not enjoy for this very reason. I have to work so hard at being appreciative for the will and ability to run and the gift that it is on a regular basis. This does not come naturally to me!

To appreciate my body for what it is, and not what it isn't.

I have spent the majority of my life hating my body; from the extra skin from losing so much weight to the size of my arms, I have been at war with myself for a long time.
Running has taught me to appreciate that I have two strong legs that carry me over hills, down streets, along trails, to have experiences I never imagined having in this life. I am thankful I have a body that can run for 5+ hours at once! I am thankful that my body  has remained relatively injury-free for the past few years for me to keep doing something that I love! I will trade these things any day over fitting into a pair of size 6 jeans, and that is a beautiful discovery to have finally made!


 I am tougher that I think. 


Running has shown me that if I keep moving forward, I will get through whatever it is I am facing. When I think I can't go another mile, another step, or that I can't make it through a hard time, running is a constant reminder that I can, I will, and I am persevering.

How to be in the present moment.

This may sound simple enough, and maybe it is for everyone else. But for me, I am an expert avoider of being in the moment. I am sure it has something to do with guarding my heart and protecting myself from being hurt from those around me. Growing up with constant verbal and emotional abuse has had long term effects on me, no doubt. Running has enabled me to open my heart, feel joy, and take in the world around me. Running has shown me what it feels like to be truly alive.

We are all the same in our struggles.


We all want to be good enough. We all want to succeed. We all want to belong, to fit in. We all have these thoughts, feelings, and beliefs inside that that hold us back at some time or another, or at least enter our minds now and then.  In a race, you can see all of those beliefs being challenged in each and every person out there. If you've never watched a group of runners, you should. It is hope in action. Running has shown me from my very first 5k, that we are all in this together, all doing the best we can at any given moment.  Realizing that commonality has changed the way I view others completely, and has helped me see that it I am not alone with my fears and doubts. It is what drives me to speak out about them- knowing that what I have learned can be shared with others to enlighten them.

It isn't about performance, it's about showing up to perform.

For a long time, my whole race experience for every race was based on how well I ran and what my pace was. And then, I ran the Chicago marathon. I went into that race under trained, as I had a calf injury a few weeks prior that had me down to just a handful of miles each week,and I was able to complete one 20 mile run but it was a good 6 weeks prior to the race so I had lost that build up in endurance by the time I got to the start line.
I was ecstatic to be able to even participate in that race after not knowing for sure that I'd be able to from the injury. So, I went into it with the mindset that I was just happy to be there, and I let go of any expectation I had as far as time was concerned. Finishing would be an accomplishment in itself. And, it was. I finished my first marathon, barely, and it will be a day I will never forget as long as I live. I can honestly say it would not have been the same had I gone in with time and performance pressure.
Running has taught me that showing up is what matters. It does not matter in the big scheme of things how you did. It matters that you showed up to do it. It is a simple truth that we so easily overlook.

What has running taught you?