I am writing to you guys as I struggle through a crippling food coma that has lasted several days now. I am currently experiencing side effects that include but are not limited to: a strong aversion to anything that requires me to physically move, thoughts of dropping out of college to live on moms couch forever in order to avoid my projects looming deadlines, and an unyielding desire to continue feasting on the very things that put me in this sorry state until not even crumbs remain. And I have to tell you, I don't hate it.
On a much more active and motivated note, I did my half marathon last week! I ran 13. 67 miles in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. I will now need a hip replacement before I am of legal drinking age but it was totally worth it. No starting gun, no crowds cheering, no water cups handed to me, no finish line. It was a good feeling knowing I am capable of motivating myself to to accomplish something like that without all the hype of a giant road race.
Barb told us a story at Aunt Shelley's memorial about when her and Shelley had run a race together. Barb was a big runner at the time and Shelley was a little less prepared for the challenge. As they struggled through the last stretch of the race Barb lightheartedly suggested, "why don't we finish it off with a sprint to the finish line?" to which Shelley angrily replied through gasps for air, "Don't you think I would if I could!?"
While I struggled through my run I remembered Shelley's exasperated comment and ran with a huge smile on my face:)
My last training run before I did my half was at the hillsborough river state park about 20 minutes from tampa. It was beautiful! I ran on deserted trails deep in the woods on the banks of a beautiful river. A herd of deer ran across my path no more than 15 feet in front of me! I also saw an armadillo (are they blind? cause he was basically walking on top of my feet) and I ran past the same coyote twice! I just looked at it and smiled because what the heck are you supposed to do when you see a coyote 15 feet away?! girl scouts did not teach me that. Apparently he had already eaten breakfast though because I lived to tell the tale.
I noticed that it is so much easier for me to run in the woods than on the paved road. There is so much more to look at and you have to be watch your every step to distract you from the fact that you have 8 more miles to run. I think there is an important life lesson in that; Don't look too far ahead. The distant future and the things you have to accomplish there can be overwhelming and discouraging at times. It can create self doubt, cause you second guess your direction and wonder if maybe you should search for an easier path or just turn back altogether. Look instead at what is right beneath your feet. You will be able celebrate the success at having just jumped cleanly over a log and learn quickly from any missteps or trips. This makes you more concentrated, confident and driven. You know where your going, you know your going to get there, but your not thinking about that. Your just thinking about your next step. Taylor Swift pandora station also helps.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)
Back to reality...
No comments:
Post a Comment