Simply Run

I am not the same girl anymore, running changed me.

Yesterday was an off day. I was dealing with doubt in myself most of the day. For the last four weeks I've had to tweak my training schedule, move things around, skip days, rest on days I usually run, fit runs in within an hour time slot.. it has left me utterly exhausted. I feel like I haven't given my body time to rest because on rest days I've been busy doing other things when I really need to be sitting down doing nothing. It's messed with my sleeping patterns and ultimately affected my concentration during the day.

As I began my short run yesterday I truly thought I was only going to be able to push out a slow 2 miles because my body was so fatigued. I drank two sparks and even boosted with some catalyst and rehydrate gels in hopes that it would give me the will power to push myself the distance. I did my usual stretching and warm up jog, turned my runkeeper on and pushed play on the same playlist I listen to for every run. The first song that came on was Keep Your Eyes Open by NEEDTOBREATHE. I began my run just like normal and what seemed like a minute later my runkeeper went off saying I was already at a half mile at 4:23 minutes. That is not normal for me. My entire run I kept a 8:02 mile pace. That's the fastest 3 mile pace I've ever ran. My mind had finally slowed down and I was able to concentrate on my run. I haven't been able to do that in weeks. I was starting to think I wouldn't be able to push out a whole marathon. But after yesterday I reminded myself why I started all of this and why it means so much to me. I'm just about half way through training and I'm up to 14 miles which is essentially a half marathon. I needed that good run yesterday, it had perked me back up and has given me the boost I've needed for weeks. My mind has reset and I'm back on track.

I'm also doing a marathon training devotional that has given me so much insist into "running the race God has called us to" through training for a marathon. I need reminded most days that I'm not just running for myself. I'm running for Him too. My thoughts have changed through all of this and I've come out a more positive person. I've gain a respect for myself that I never had before. I'm still learning something new daily and the Lord is opening my eyes to something new on a consistent basis. I saw this quote this morning:

"That's the thing about running: Your greatest runs are rarely measured by racing success. They are moments in time when running allows you to see how wonderful your life is." - Kara Goucher

Yesterday I needed reminded that my life is beautiful and as I was running I replayed all the aspects of my life that are true blessings.

Today I'm thankful to be a runner.