Tuesday, December 6, 2016

What Running Taught Me In 2016

The amount of lessons that we can learn from anything, let alone running, is pretty vast.  From lessons of empowerment, to strength, courage, and passion, we all learn more about ourselves through this athletic endeavor.  I've been running for about eight years now, and I can honestly say that this has been the roughest year for me.  Sometimes, for us to appreciate running even more, we have to go without it.
Thus is the story for many injured runners.

Me @ EVERYTHING this year:


Running wise, the year started off just fine.  To be honest, my 2015 training was pretty *meh*; I was looking forward to a new year to rock out.  A 5K at the beginning, and a marathon planned for the end.


I felt strong throughout the winter and spring, but my mileage was low, or at least lower than it has been in a while.


I signed up for races, at least one per month.  I haven't attempted to PR anything in two years, and I had my sights set on a 10K and Half Marathon PR.



I loved running with my friends.  Three-ish miles with some speed mixed in, and socializing mixed with beer and pizza afterward, is just what I need every week.  I started running in the morning with a friend who worked near my school; she ran cross-country in college, so I was really happy to run with someone with speed.



And just like that, all of my running goals seemed to be gone.  I haven't been able to run for about two months now; total, probably four months for the year.  My love for running grew stronger; so unreachable, so unsatisfied, and the possibility of never running again popped up in my brain several times.  What a depressing thought; and at the time, those thoughts weren't entirely irrational.

When we go one with pain or disease without any answers or course of action, we start to feel defeated.


One thing remains the same, no matter what's going on in your life, with your job, with your family, with your running ---------> you just have to put one foot in front of the other, and everything will be okay.  If anything, running has taught me that you can take advantage all you want, you can rely on it all you want, and no matter what, it will always be there, even when you can't do it.

The love of it, the joy of it, the passion and freedom I get from it...those feelings are still very much alive and well within me.  I still have some healing to do, but I know that my goals and my yearning will still be there when I can run.

One thing's for sure:  I'm looking forward to running in 2017.


Thanks to our beautiful hostesses for Tuesdays on the Run, Team Marcia, Patty, and Erika!

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Tell me your FAVORITE THING about running!


What's for dinner tonight?
(I need some ideas, heh.)


Tell me about a holiday-SOMETHING that you're excited about/looking forward to.

10 comments:

  1. Oh man, I know this frustration and I'm so sorry this year didn't go the way you'd hoped. The non-answers are the worst. Fingers, toes and everything crossed you'll back at it soon. It's taco Tuesday here of course!

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  2. Thank you for your sweet words, friend! TACO TUESDAY, FTW!<3

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  3. Green curry zoodles. I understand your frustration, and I am so sorry that you have been dealing this for so long. It just sucks. But just like a broken back--you will return, it will just take time. Again, it blows, but it will happen.
    LOVE YOU

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny, because after I talk to you, things feel better. When is our next soosh date? LOVE YOU!

      Delete
  4. My favorite thing about running is the mood boost that I get! As far as dinner, I think I'm making fish sticks for my husband and a veggie burger for me. Fighting off a cold so I have zero energy. I need a chef to come out and whip up something fabulous (and not fattening) for us!

    I have a struggled with a lot of relatively minor injuries, and they suck. And you're right, all you can do is put one foot in front of the other and believe that you will come out the other side and be able to do what you love again.

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    Replies
    1. Amen, lovey! I'm sorry you're under the weather, and I hope you feel better so soon!

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  5. Hi! Visiting from the TOTR link up! I totally get you, I struggle with ITBS for 18 months and I had all these amazing races that I had already signed up for. I was not missing them so I just hobbled through. This year went SO much better for me. I hope after your set back that next year goes better for you too! -M

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    Replies
    1. Hi, friend, thanks for visiting! Thanks for sharing your experience -- how frustrating, indeed. 2017 is going to rock for all of us..I can tell!

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  6. Being sidelined by injury suuuuuuuucks. It's the WORST. Because even if you *want* to take a break, being *forced* to take a break makes it a mental battle. All day, every day.

    2017 will be your year!

    ReplyDelete

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