I have come a long way. No matter what the outcome is of my race on Saturday, I have a lot to be proud of, and so much to be thankful for.
This week one year ago, I was 6 weeks postpartum and every attempt to run was a fight. Every run left me feeling achy and wiped out. My SI joint was out of whack, my hips and my tailbone hurt day and night. I was tired. My core muscles were stretched out and weakened. I was scared, yet determined. I believed that as long as I was smart and listened to my body, as long as I took my time and was patient with myself, I would be able to run pain-free and happily again. It was not easy. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from these posts:
I am going to go back to the basics, start from square one, with my training. I am going to be POSITIVE and believe in myself and be patient on this journey. This experience will make me stronger in more ways than one. I am going to reclaim my body – my strength – my fitness.
In my experience the best, most wonderful things in life don’t ever seem to come without hard work. A little (ok sometimes a lot) of pain. Sacrifice. So I will hold my head up high, not give up – not ever – and I will believe in myself. I will trust that there is a reason for the struggle and that it will all be worth it.
I am not a quitter and I am not alone. I will give this the good fight and be stronger because of it!!! I WILL NEVER QUIT.
Here is something that I know for sure. Becoming a runner is HARD. Whether you are just getting started or are getting back into it after pregnancy, an injury or time off for whatever reason. It is hard. But if we do not give up, if we believe in ourselves and if we are patient, if we listen to our bodies and keep at it, WONDERFUL things can happen. We will awaken amazing things within us. We will discover so much about ourselves and what we are capable of. It will be more than we ever would have dared to dream.
Do not give up on your dreams, in running or in life. Do not put a limit on what your potential is. Take it one day at a time, and be open to all of the possibilities. Have the courage to keep going, and know that you are not alone. Watch your story unfold.
If you are interested in reading some of these archives, go back to March of 2011. Here are a few links to some of my favorite posts:
