You guys. Bronchitis is no joke. I don't remember having it before, and I seriously hope I don't ever have it again. I started feeling bad a couple days after my last long run, which I attributed to being worn down and a tired immune system. Sunday night it turned into full blown bronchitis, and I felt like I was knock knock knockin' on heaven's door. As I like to describe it, imagine filling your lungs with pudding while your chest is being squeezed by a giant iron fist. I think I'm on the upswing, but still not able to get out and run for a few more days. Honestly, it's nice to take break from battling my self-will to get out there and have an excuse not to run. After only being able to run once in the past week, though, the natives are getting restless.
While recovering, I thought I would make a list of a few things I have learned about running and myself since starting this journey almost two years ago.
believe in yourself.
Seriously. If you don't, you're screwed. Some days, I feel like I could step out the door and run 30 miles, and sometimes I know 5 is going to be a mental battle. Having confidence in my training and believing I can achieve my goals are the number one things getting me to the finish line. It also translates to other parts of my life, giving me confidence to achieve my life goals and the trusting the path I'm on to get there.
don't compare.
I'm not the fastest runner. I will never BE the fastest runner. I will never win a race, unless it's between me and AB to the last piece of pizza. God has given those professional runners a gift, and holy crap is it impressive, but it's ok if I don't conquer the things they have. Sure, a little friendly competition is good, but when you find you are constantly comparing your abilities to those who have more experience or more training, you only set yourself up for disappointment. I've set a few specific personal goals for my running that some others might think are easily attained, or the opposite - absolutely impossible. They are MY goals, knowing my own body and experience. I encourage you to make your own, and never think they are unachievable or unimpressive. Everyone is different, and every runner is different. That is the beauty of life. Don't compare your life to the ones you see around you - Facebook, tv, even your friend's lives can be misleading. I often struggle with being jealous of the "highlight reels" of others: babies, houses, diamonds, talents, jobs, achievements, money, friends, relationships. In reality, I know we are all struggling with our own problems: jealousy, heartbreak, financial difficulty, feelings of self-worth, unsureness of God's calling for our life. God has a plan and a purpose for each phase of our lives, and relying on Him to know what is best for us is difficult at times but oh so rewarding. Focus on your own progress and growth!
everyone can do it.
No, really. You just have to want to. I will say it over and over and OVER again, I firmly believe anyone can run a marathon, they just have to WANT to. But whether or not you are a seasoned runner that is setting a new goal, or a newbie who can barely jog for 3 minutes, everyone can be a runner. Being a runner doesn't mean you have to run a marathon, either. Or a half marathon. It just means you run because you can.
i'm tougher than i ever thought i could be.
Running is hard. I don't think it's ever easy for anyone - you can get better at it, more efficient, highly trained. But it's still hard, and sometimes it sucks. When you're at the 13.1 mark of a marathon and it hits you.. "Ugghhhh..I'm only halfway." When you stick needles under your toenails to pop the blisters that have formed from your last long run. When you wake up early every Saturday to make sure you get 'er done. When there is no one next to you or cheering you on, or even cares if you do your 16, 18, 20 miles you need to do. When your hip screams at mile 9 of a marathon and you struggle to mile 20 and think "Well, at least I could walk the rest of the way and still finish." (I didn't. But I wanted to.) There are always times I want to quit, stop and walk, procrastinate a run. But I always feel better about myself when I don't, my body can handle more than I think it can, and a "don't quit" mentality is essential to success in life no matter what the circumstances.
One of my favorite quotes: "Running the marathon gave me an inner strength that changed my life." - Henley Gibble
it's good for your bod.
Running is my main form of exercise. I do a little lifting, little squatting, little Zumba here and there. I eat fairly healthy, with a few indulgences and a few lazy weeks of bad cooking here and there. I don't have abs of steel (though I would like them...magically...). I do, however, have legs of steel. I mean, you should feel these suckers. My calves are like nothing you've ever seen. I am no way near looking the way I want to, and I know I need to make some better changes to my diet AND exercise regimens to get the result I'm looking for. Running can't do everything, but it sure helps. I like the confidence that running brings me when I can look in the mirror and find things I love about the way I look, instead of always picking things apart. The one thing it is NOT good for however, is the beauty of your feet. If one of your life goals is to be a foot model or win a Best Feet contest, I suggest you find another interest. Before you know it those bad boys are going to be red, blistered, peeling, missing 2 or 4 or sometimes 6 toenails, have bumps, gnarles, extra toes, hair like a male gorilla. Ok, it's not THAT bad..but for realz, they are weird looking to begin with and they sure don't get any prettier. But don't be afraid to whip 'em out and parade them around for the non-running world to marvel at. You worked hard to get them so ugly!
i love to eat.
Ok, so that's no surprise to anyone that knows me. Training long distances means a higher metabolism, which means more calories burned, which means more calories needed. WHICH MEANS I CAN EAT WHATEVER I WANT HAHAHAHAHA. Ahem. I mean.... I know, I know. It doesn't mean I can pig out on Girl Scout cookies and Twizzlers all day. But I do get to eat a lot to make up for what my body is burning, and let's be honest - eating is fun. I can eat a lot without worrying about gaining weight or counting calories, yet still eating the right things. And it does allow for the occasional delicious donut, pizza night, or froyo run.
planning is a must.
If you don't have a plan, you won't do it. Works for my running and works for my life. I like to print out calendars with the number of miles I need to run written on each day to keep me accountable and have something to check off when I've accomplished it. It gives me a visual to-do list for my training. The day before a run, I make sure I know how many miles I have to do, where I'm going to run, how long it will take me, what time I'm going to go, and what temperature it's going to be. That way I can also plan what I'm going to eat and when, what I need to wear, if I need gas to get there, fuel for the run, etc. I have found that even the littlest excuse can get in the way, and I want to be fully prepared in the battle against myself to run some days. I would love to have the ability to do this in every day life, but most days I'm just not there. I have a real struggle with accomplishing what I would like to daily, weekly, yearly, and I know if I would just put forth a little more effort into planning, I could give things a big ol' check next to them. I am my own worst enemy!
i have the best husband.
Ok, no seriously. You may think you do, but nope. He is just the greatest! AB doesn't like to run. He won't lie about it, play it off, pretend. No. He will tell you straight up that it's probably the most boring thing he could choose to do, right in front of file taxes and watching paint dry. But just for me, he will run when I ask. If I haven't been out for a few days or have a long run I'm dreading, he will head out on a 3-4 miler to get my spirits up and give me a little company and encouragement when I need it. Oh, and how about walking a zillion miles around a city to see me for a few brief (but wonderful..oh, so wonderful) seconds at as many places during a race as he can. I am SURE watching 10,000 people you don't know run by as you wait for the one person you do is not exactly fun, but he's always there cheering, photographing, and supporting me as I achieve my goals. I am so thankful for his love and support of ALL my life goals, and I couldn't be happier to spend this crazy wonderful life next to him. He gives a darn good foot massage, too. ;)
