Running has taught me a lot about life.
I was getting ready to head out for my long run Sunday and not looking forward to it. It was 5:15 and I was getting my water and GU together to put in my mailbox for my refill on my 4 mile loop.
I looked at twitter and saw something that stuck with me the entire run. At the time, I read it and moved on. I thought it was insightful, but I didn’t retweet or favor it. I wish I had. I looked again and couldn’t find it.
So here is the gist of that tweet that I pondered during my run and that helped me go 20 miles:
You’ve gotten this far
You’ve suffered this long
Don’t quit
Finish the course
As I said, I passed over this tweet, but I still cannot let it go. Funny how things like this stick in your head and you don’t realize the implications until you are in that situation and it pops up before your eyes!
My run on Sunday was the most difficult physical experience of my life. I am not athletic. I wanted to quit. I wanted to give up.
- At mile 10 I was thinking, “Maybe I should just tell TJ that I am going to run the marathon and then at the last minute not run it so that he will enjoy the race and I wont spoil it for him.”
- At mile 12 I thought, “If I feel this way after 12 miles, how can I do 26 in 4 weeks.”
- At mile 16 I thought, “I got this far, I have to do 20.”
- At mile 18 I thought, “I don’t care if I have to crawl, I WILL MAKE 20 MILES!”
- At mile 20, walking in the early morning heat, exhausted, literally soaked from my hat to my shoes, I wanted to cry.
I made it. Never in my life did I think I would one day make my body travel 20 miles on foot. It wasn’t pretty. I walked the last two miles, but I made it.
I want to end this post the way I started it. Running has taught me a lot about life. Life isn’t easy. In fact, many days (before I started running) I lived my life at mile 12… “Maybe I should quit.” “This is too hard.” “How am I going to get through the day?”
Now, I live my life at mile 18, “If I have to, I will crawl though this life to finish this race!”
Lesson learned. By the grace of God I will run this race, I will finish 26 miles, I will run or crawl, but I will finish.
Obviously that last sentence has a duel meaning to me now.
Running has taught me a lot about life.
278 to Boston 
Well-done analogy. Keep that mantra marathon day!
Thank you. That is my goal!
What a great post. Thanks for sharing.
Bookmarked and filed under “Inspirational” !
Thank you very much! That means a lot to me!
Fantastic motivation! I’m sitting at my desk at work and looking for the inspiration to go for an afternoon run (I’m training for my first half marathon), and your blog is it, THANK YOU!
That is great. It means a lot to me that my experience was able to help. Makes all the pain worthwhile. 🙂 Thank you! Good luck on your half. My HM last year was my favorite race so far.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)
I first tried to run when I was 18 (obviously I didn’t stick to it) and I wanted to wear a shirt with that verse on it! Thanks.
Well done! Remember that your first marathon is all about finishing. I remember thinking to my self as I crossed the finish line, “I am never doing this again!” But. a few days later as the pain started to subside I started thinking, I can do better. It would be a shame to waste all this fitness now. That marathon took me 5:19:49 I told myself almost those exact same words Starting at mile 16 but I did finish and I ran 90% of the race in pouring rain. Two and a half years later I qualified for Boston with a 3:33:40 time. Just finish and then reevaluate your life goals after that finish because you will definitely look at life from a different mental place than before! 🙂
That is great advice. I was confident about 4 months ago, but as the date gets closer… Let’s just say, I will take your advice. 🙂
Thanks!!!
I like what you wrote here, and it shows the amount of determination anyone has to have to succeed in meeting their goals, whatever they are. My kid needs to have a read of this too. The feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment is only great when the journey has been difficult and you have climbed all those obstacles. You have bags and bags of determination!
I really appreciate that. My kids should probably read this also (other than TJ). 🙂 As you know, it is amazing the life changes that occur as you push yourself beyond what you can conceive of accomplishing. It has been hard, but I wouldn’t change it for anything! Thank you!
Good insight, Tom. I am proud of you.
Thank you Mom! I know you are. I hope Dad and KT are watching!
I love what you wrote: “I lived my life at mile 12.”
But no more! I find your journey inspiring.
I agree. It is so easy to stop at mile 12. The hard part is just keeping one foot in front of the other and not giving up (in life or running). I am really glad that helped!
It is so true that our self-talk can defeat us or motivate us. Happens to me all the time, even on short runs. The negativity comes easily sometimes, but then you go a little further or a little faster and you feel the accomplishment and pride. Running is truly an analogy for life. Thank you for sharing!
I totally agree. Sometimes you have to ignore those “voices” and push through. In the end, it is more than worth it! Thank you for your comment!
Best of luck in your marathon!! loved this post.
Thank you. I appreciate it!!!
Great analogy. I loved this post!
Thanks! I appreciate the encouragement.
I loved post! Well done and I know you will finish the race and I don’t think you will be crawling over the finish line, rather running past it like a Boss. You’ve got this! 🙂
Thank you!!! It is great to know your still around. :). I really appreciate the encouragement. I’ll remember it as I cross that finish line, “like a boss”!!! 🙂
Yes of course! I had a bout with the flu, I am finally feeling almost back to normal today and”easing back into things”! 🙂
Oh no. I’m glad you are feeling better. If it isn’t one thing, it’s another. Great to hear from you.
I know right?! My thoughts exactly, but doing my best to take things in stride 😉