When I initially started this blog, I published a post with a similar title. Unfortunately, I deleted that post and can no longer find it. Ironically, I find myself in a similar place. After my nine-mile adventure, I realized that somewhere in the middle of life, with all its unpredictability and the pressure to fulfill “adult” responsibilities, I had lost something. I’ve lost running and my love for endurance.
In the last few months, I’ve decided to take this part of my life back. So, I set four goals to complete by next fall.
My goals are:
- Run a 5K in November.
- Run a half marathon next spring.
- Participate in a MammothMarch next fall.
- Run my first marathon in 2028.
As much as I would like to be able to run three miles, I can’t. I am no longer capable. I have learned from running in the past that it takes baby steps to be able to endure long distances and to fit this habit into a life where motivation can be easily lost depending on the events of the day. I have to start with walking.
When I started running when I began this blog, the phrase “baby steps” was central in keeping me going until I could run 13.1 miles. The only difference then was I would overly push myself. Now I listen to my mind and body. If the day calls for rest, I rest. If it calls for adding more miles, I do.
Now I am slowly building, adding one mile a week. Then running/walking a mile until I can run three without stopping. I am fixing my relationship with endurance on step after another. The younger version of myself would pursue the accomplishment of the distance. This current version of myself is wiser and moving for the love of adventure, challenge, and movement.
Throughout my life, distance running has taught me many lessons. There is gratitude and joy in endurance. The fact that my legs can carry me thirteen miles is a blessing to not take for granted. In many ways, it has taught me to love myself compassionately with where I am in life and to show others compassion with their season of life. There are many passages in Scripture that use running a race as a metaphor, and running has become a metaphor of life for me. There is something overwhelmingly beautiful when running a race lined with people holding signs, cheering you on, and you and the other runners are cheering each other on to keep going, no matter your ability or skill level.
This image of people cheering is what I envision heaven to be like one day. What if we were like this more in everyday life? I believe life is a journey, and we all find ourselves facing different seasons and challenges. Sometimes we find ourselves in training, a season of running our farthest or fastest, a season of walking, a season of rest, or on the sidelines cheering. What if, instead of rushing through life, we slowed down, listened, and cheered ourselves and others through life’s many-faceted seasons and obstacles?
As I pursue these goals, I hope to share with you my experience and the lessons I learn along the way.
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