"A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step" - Laozi
Over the weekend, I just surpassed the 1,000 mile mark since I started running at the end of 2010. Time to reflect on this milestone...
The First Step
I was finishing up grad school in Florida, and I was fat. I've always been a pretty good athlete, but that's been conflicted with a lifetime of weight struggles. In grad school, I let myself go, and I knew it. I reached a breaking point. No more.
I went to the gym, and I stepped on the scale. 284. The heaviest I have ever been. I was so humiliated. But I knew that there was no time for that - it was go time. I knew it was going to be a long road, and just at the right moment, inspiration came in the form of a YouTube video. This video. I laced up my shoes, and I headed out for a run. I made it a quarter mile. I started sobbing. This was one of the lowest moments of my life. But it was only the beginning. I kept going. And that quarter mile has always been a reminder - and the start of my new journey.
I went to the gym, and I stepped on the scale. 284. The heaviest I have ever been. I was so humiliated. But I knew that there was no time for that - it was go time. I knew it was going to be a long road, and just at the right moment, inspiration came in the form of a YouTube video. This video. I laced up my shoes, and I headed out for a run. I made it a quarter mile. I started sobbing. This was one of the lowest moments of my life. But it was only the beginning. I kept going. And that quarter mile has always been a reminder - and the start of my new journey.
The Last Step
I went out for a run on a chilly, wet, fall day in a prairie park in Illinois. And it was beautiful. My running hasn't been up to par recently, so I was going to be happy if I made it 3 miles. I made it 6.5. And it felt gooooddd! A great way to surpass the milestone.
The In Between
This has been an unbelievable journey filled with tons of ups and downs. At least 1 race every month since then. 54 races. 6 half marathons. 1 triathlon. 1 marathon. Several states. So many unbelievable memories. I've met so many amazing people through being a part of the running community. I've been able to strengthen relationships and get to know friends in a better way through running. I have pushed my limits and discovered levels of strength within me I didn't know existed.
The In Between
This has been an unbelievable journey filled with tons of ups and downs. At least 1 race every month since then. 54 races. 6 half marathons. 1 triathlon. 1 marathon. Several states. So many unbelievable memories. I've met so many amazing people through being a part of the running community. I've been able to strengthen relationships and get to know friends in a better way through running. I have pushed my limits and discovered levels of strength within me I didn't know existed.
The Future
I know at some point relatively soon there will be a shift. I'm not built for long distances, so those will eventually come to an end. The commitment it takes to run a race every month and continue that streak will become more challenging as I embark on other commitments that life offers. Running for me will look different. But no matter what, it will always be a part of me. Why? The reasons are simple.
I am a better person when I am running.
I am a better person because I am a runner.
I know at some point relatively soon there will be a shift. I'm not built for long distances, so those will eventually come to an end. The commitment it takes to run a race every month and continue that streak will become more challenging as I embark on other commitments that life offers. Running for me will look different. But no matter what, it will always be a part of me. Why? The reasons are simple.
I am a better person when I am running.
I am a better person because I am a runner.
No comments:
Post a Comment