Just a little encouragement today for those working their fitness goals. I started back to running (really jogging) in June, with a 1/2 mile jog, increasing my mileage by a couple of tenths a mile each week. Through June, July and August, though I got myself up to completing my own 5ks and doing about 7-8 miles a week, it never seemed to get easier. Just a couple of 10ths of a mile into my “runs,” I would find myself struggling with my breathing. Then, while in Tampa last month, Mitch read me an article written by a guy who ran from northern Florida to California, logging something like 20 miles a day. His advice was to stop looking at the time and the pace and to just enjoy the journey. Though this seems so trite, it somehow resonated with me and I think of this simple advice each time I hit the streets.
Between changing up my mindset and, a few months of training, I am happy to say that while I don’t know if I will ever achieve a runner’s high (I am open minded!) I am no longer struggling with my breathing, my pace has picked up and my “runs,” have become much more enjoyable. I am optimistic that when the temps dip below 90, and the humidity drops a bit, it will be easier and still more enjoyable. But honestly…the best part of running, at least for me, is when I see my “finish line.”
Running is just a metaphor for most challenges in life. You gotta just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you reach your finish line. Wishing you a beautiful day and many achieved goals!
