How Running Saved My Life
Running has become one of my favorite hobbies. It’s shown me new places, allowed me to establish new friendships, inspired me to start new businesses, but most importantly, it’s saved my life in many ways. I could tell you about that one time in sixth grade where I outran a dalmatian or when I was thirteen and was able to get away from being jumped, or even the many health benefits running has gifted me, but these aren’t the type of life saving experiences I’m referring to here.
Running saved my life because it helped me to discover who I am. It’s gifted me clarity in difficult situations. It’s increased my spiritual connection with The Higher Power. It’s helped me find strength, resilience and determination that I never knew I had, all because of running. For this gift I am thankful and am indebted to the sport of running because of it, which is why I choose to share my experiences and encourage others to fall in love with running as well.
How Running Saved My Life
When I first began distance running, I was out of shape, depressed and lacking self-confidence. My first steps out the door weren’t confidence boosters either as I wheezed around the block. I felt like a fool trying to do something impossible.
Through past experiences, I knew that “impossible” didn’t exist and that growth was on the other side of patience and persistence, so I kept at it. Lacing up and dragging myself out the door sulking and cussing under my breathe. I was hoping and praying my neighbors weren’t watching this horrific display. I was struggling to disguise my agony every time a car passed by or when I passed by complete strangers who were just watering their lawn. The sound of my own breathing was so loud that I felt as if I was waking up the neighborhood.
Nothing about the experience was enjoyable until I got home and was able to see what I had accomplished. Over time I saw the amount of time it took me to make it around that same block reducing. I felt less and less tired when I finished. I gained enough confidence to run longer and longer distances. I started exploring new streets that I had never been on. I stopped caring what the neighbors thought. I even began waving to them as I passed. My breathing became less labored. Wait…am I enjoying running?!?!
Yes!, I absolutely was enjoying myself and I’m thankful that I stuck with it, because it’s LITERALLY saved my life.
Throughout the years I’ve been running, my life has taken more than its share of twists and turns. Sometimes the only time in a given day that was consistent and predictable happened between the time that I laced up to the time I reached back home.
I have grown to appreciate the moments of solitude while running. The times alone where I could hear my own thoughts and forget my worries, if only for a moment. I had begun to get excited when it was time to run. It didn’t matter where I was going or how fast I ran; I was just glad for the opportunity to just breathe.
Almost ten years later, this feeling of gratitude has multiplied ten fold. I enjoy running today more than I ever have and I don’t see this addiction losing a grip on me. My life in this moment is more tumultuous than it ever has been, yet I feel rooted by this consistent practice of releasing the day’s tension and by chasing tomorrow’s goal. The worries of yesterday are behind me and I’m laced up and ready for the future challenges.
Yosemite Half Marathon
In a few days, I’m heading down to run the Yosemite Half Marathon. A race that I’ve been looking forward to running for a few years. I don’t care if I’m first or last. I’m just thankful for the opportunity to run.
Like my last race, you can track me live using RaceJoy. Please don’t bother sending cheers and messages. I have no intention on using headphones so I won’t hear them. If you want to know why, check out my last blog.
I’ll be running the Yosemite race in celebration of my 42nd birthday which will be on May 13th. In honor of my birthday, I’m also gifting an opportunity to you. Between now and the end of the month, all Life & Business services are 42% Off! This includes:
Spiritual & Entrepreneurial Consultations
as well as Life Coaching
Click below to check out the services and to book yours today. I only have so much time in between these runs so limited spots are available. Get yours for this price while you can.
Sometimes, having an opportunity to step outside of your circumstances enhances your perspective on who and where you are. I don’t know what the results of the race or my life will be at this moment, but what I do know is that without running, I never would have made it this far and that with the lessons I’ve learned from running, that I’m positioned to go much farther than I ever believed I could. Running has been a blessing to me and I pray it has been or will be to you as well.
These lessons we learn from running, can be applied to every aspect of our lives. We have to have the inner strength to keep going when it’s difficult. We have to display the consistency of getting up and trying again even when it’s hard in order to see results. Life will get easier. The roads are sometimes unpaved, riddled with dog shyt and uphill both ways, but keep going. You’re almost home.
The best advice I can share with new runners, simply put, is: Keep Putting One Foot In Front of the Other. The joy in the journey will find you.
Please send well wishes in the comments below.
