What I am Learning Lately…
Life is so amazing, isn’t it? Deep down, I am a dreamer and I love dreaming and doing and impacting lives. And lately, I’ve been doing a whole bunch of learning and growing and I am loving it. Landon has always inspired me – ever since meeting him. And one of the things I loved most about him, was his passion for being a life long leaner. And that’s what I am chasing after this year. I want to learn as much as I can about running, health, and so much more.
Last night, Landon and I were talking about my running journey and for the first time, I started realizing just how far I’ve come.
I HATED running growing up and only did it when forced. Once I started on my own (just to stay healthy and tone up) I started actually enjoying it. I did a 5k, won my age division, and fell in love with the sport right then and there. Quickly, my running became an obsession which turned into something that I was enslaved to. No longer did I run just for the JOY of running, I ran because if I didn’t, I felt guilty.
My running was clouded by an ED & exercise addiction for a couple years. And even though I was running well, my ED clouded everything.
After recovering from my ED, I got injured (shin splints) and running took a back burner in my life while I recovered from my ED, shin splints, and in the meantime – fell in love, got married and had a baby. I like to run fast and do life fast.
Through those two plus years, I ran to maintain my fitness, but I wasn’t chasing big goals or really even working on growing with my running. I enjoyed running, but life was full, crazy, and it wasn’t something that drove me each day.
And then, I had a baby. And something lit my fire again. I don’t know if it was postpartum hormones or what, but I decided to sign up for my first full marathon and trained for it after having my son. I ran it almost exactly a year postpartum and evening though it wasn’t a fast marathon (4:32) I was crazy proud of it. And now, here I am. With all that behind me, almost 8 months since my full marathon and 2 days out from a half marathon (training for a sub 1:50)
I’m excited to say the least. And not just about this race, but about running. I want to see just what I’m capable of. I want to get faster and stronger and better and grow in my knowledge of running. I’ve been studying, listening and learning a TON about running for the past year. And it just makes me hungry for more.
If God has given me a passion and gift for running, it would be a tragedy to not become the best I could be. And the exciting thing is, I don’t even know what that is yet. And that drives me.
It has been so exciting to learn more about running and be driven by a love for learning. I have to thank my coach, Jasmin for always inspiring me to chase my dreams and to not stop learning. To continue to become the best version of myself!!
Also, I’ve been so blessed and inspired to learn from some amazing runners through my current favorite podcasts: like The Rambling Runner, Ali on the Run Show, and The Running for Real podcast.
Something that I’m learning from these people/podcasts is that the greatest runners are driven by a love for the sport and a desire to see just what they are a capable of. I’ve been so encouraged by each podcast and can’t wait to see what is in store the next eh, about 100 more years of running and learning and growing and seeing JUST how much I, as a runner, am capable of.
It is really exciting to think about how many things there are to learn and grow in, in life. Isn’t it? I don’t know about you, but as I think about all my goals, dreams, and things there are to learn in life, it gets me excited to simply wake up and do in the mornings. And I know that sounds super cheesy, but it is true.
So, that’s what I am learning lately. Mainly, to enjoy learning, to embrace not knowing something and chasing after it. To grow in my running and try really hard. And to just do something.
I hope you all have an awesome Friday!
Questions of the Day
- What is a passion area for you?
- Is there something you are learning about right now?
- What are your Friday plans?