In the spirit of February, and all things love, I wanted to share with you a little love story of my own. This one doesn’t involve a prince charming, (although he’s been my biggest cheerleader) it’s about my love for running. The ups, the downs and the most valuable lesson of all.
I’ve run for over half my life. It started in high school when I joined the cross country team. I wasn’t (still am not) particularly fast, but thought it would be something fun to do with friends. In my first meet, we ran a course lined with Nebraska cornfields, green pastures and cows watching curiously as we passed by. Halfway through the race I suffered an asthma attack and didn’t finish. I figured that was pretty much the end of my running career.
Fast forward to college, nursing school to be exact. Running once again came calling. I needed a way to handle all the stress, burn off my nervous energy and a few extra calories. There was no set route, no coach standing on the sideline with a stop watch, no asthma, no pressure. It was just me, my running shoes and wherever I wanted to go. It was love at first heel strike. Each time I set out for a run something magical would happen…the rhythm of my breath, the steadiness and strength of my legs, the small victory waiting at the top of each hill. By the end of a run I felt like a better version of myself. Clearer, calmer, stronger. I had no idea how much all of this would mean to me as I entered the next big phase of my life…motherhood.
After the birth of our first son, and much begging, my husband bought me a jogging stroller. Overwhelmed by my new role as a mother I once again needed running to center me. As soon as the doctor gave the ‘all clear’ I bundled up my little one and off we went. After nine months of not running, it felt like coming home. I was washed in peace and gratitude with each foot fall. Oh the joy of a good runner’s high!
As the years have gone by, and two more boys have entered our family’s fold, my love for running has changed. It has challenged me with frustration in injury, renewed me in strength and helped me come to terms with a body that isn’t in its’ twenties anymore. I’ve learned the importance of having a passion that is all mine, that allows me to shut off my mind for just a few miles and flip on the auto-pilot switch.
In preparation to train for a spring half-marathon, I started reading the book, ‘Mile Markers’ by Kristin Armstrong (previously married to Lance). It’s a compilation of the blog posts she writes for ‘Runner’s World’ that highlight her love for running, but also how important it has been to have a passion all her own.
One of my favorite quotes from the book…
“There is a restless place inside me, and if I don’t intentionally access and relieve it, it groans at me, distracting me. There are too many thoughts in my head, too many feelings in my heart, too many things I want to do and say—and if I’m not careful, I can get overwhelmed with myself. Running restores my equilibrium, quiets the noise within, reprioritizes my list, repairs my state of gratitude, and returns me to myself, but a better version, nice and roomy in my own skin.”
–Kristin Armstrong, ‘Mile Markers’
Truer words could not have been written. Reading them I realized, they can be applied to all women, those that run and those that don’t. All you have to do is take out the word ‘running’ and fill in the blank space with whatever it is that you love, whatever it is that restores you.
How will you fill in that blank? Do you have a love story with something all your own?
Pingback: A Love Story | thishomemadelife
Pingback: My Confession. And Why I’m Running Away. - Stacey Woods Photography Blog » Stacey Woods Photography Blog