My inner "Forrest Gump"

I started thinking about creating this blog a couple of months ago. I think because I want to be able to share this with friends and family, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that the support and accountability won't continue to help me along the way. So I guess I see this as a two way street, and also a way to get my thoughts out and share the upcoming challenges of training for my goal.

I must start from the beginning in saying that I have always run in the past... sometimes a lot, sometimes not for months but I always find my way back to it after being introduced to cross country in the 9th grade.

In the past I think I always approached it as an "all or nothing" kind of activity. I would find myself running almost every day for awhile...or not at all. I felt that if I didn't run 5 or 6 days out of 7 then I had failed...... now I know this to be absolutely ridiculous.

The last couple of months I have FINALLY found a balance in this sport that makes me happy. I decided to start walking as I had allowed myself to lapse into months of not running again.When walking felt better, I picked up the jogging only this time I told myself I would  run until I felt like I didn't want to anymore. No more telling myself I was a failure if I didn't make a certain time or mileage and miraculously.... IT WORKED!  Every day I did decide to run  it got easier, I felt better, I made better food choices, which gave me more energy, which let me run further. 

 I like to think of it as my inner "Forrest Gump" coming out.

In fact, I am now running further and longer than I ever have. I think it's because I actually let myself enjoy and work hard at my own pace. It's been  a good balance of setting goals but then having days where I literally run just until I don't want to anymore. I find myself pushing the limits of what I thought was possible for me.

As of this past Saturday, I hit the 6 mile mark. A personal best for me. I ran all six miles in 1 hour and 3 minutes and it felt AMAZING. In the back of my head I've always wanted to accomplish a half marathon and I think I'm going to take the challenge on of training for one. With days where I just run "Forrest Gump" style of course!

 

It's official, I've decided to publish this.... *GULP!* I sat on it for two days thinking can I do this? Can I put this out there for other people to read? Granted I choose who to let know about this blog but there is always a chance that I could fail! I could fail to continue on this positive journey I've started, I could fail at training for a half marathon and then I realized......

WHO CARES!?

It does not matter if I achieve all things PERFECTLY and that is exactly the point. One turn in the right direction is a win and I realized that today. A friend of mine contacted me today and said the words that made any future running challenge seem reachable. "You have inspired me" Those four words felt as good as the day I reach my 6 mile mark because I realized that I was spreading some of the positive vibe that has lit a fire inside of me.  She went on to tell me that she decided to run again for the first time since September of 2011 and knowing that I offered her the motivation, and positive thoughts to lead her to this decision feels great. So "friend", YOU have inspired me... to be brave enough to share these thoughts and continue my journey despite whatever results prevail.

So who will you inspire today? 

Some days you'll just never realize that the words you say, the message you send can bring about change in unexpected places. 

 Happy Running!