I crossed the finish line in 1:25: 34. My hands went up in the air as the rest of my body drooped. I was exhausted. I just finished a half marathon for the first time in years.
Foot Injuries and I go ‘way back’. My first injury came after I just set the freshmen record for the 1600 at my high school. Days later we discovered a stress fracture in my left foot. Season over. The next year, the same injury reappeared earlier in another promising season. In college, just like my freshmen and sophomore years of high school, I had the same injuries end my seasons in my first and second years.
In January 2020 I was training for my first marathon when a freak accident at recess (and the Covid pandemic in March) stopped my hopes of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. That September I had my first surgery. Then in December I was cleared to start rehab and run again. For eleven months running was taken away from me.
When I those foot and leg injuries, they usually put in dark places. Afterall, running was I had always known. Running was my gift. It was the “only thing I was good at.” Running defined me. I have goals to accomplish. Medals to earn. Records to set. Mileage to hit. Exercise to be had. Running. Was. Me.
I got through it.
Days ago, I completed my first half marathon in years! Space bib clipped flat on my chest. Saucony shoes tied. White Mars singlet on. Hair flipped up (look good, run good). Times penned on my left hand. Seventy degrees at 6am. Gusty wind swirling. Hills rolled on the course. A hurting left tibia. Darkness.
I still showed up.
It was the hardest race I’ve ever physically and mentally ran in my life. Just as quickly as the horn sounded, the pain was swelling through my leg veins in agony. In miles three and four, thoughts of quitting raced through my mind earlier than ever before.
I kept going.
Mile 5 I took my first sips of water. Mile 6, the top runners were heading back toward the finish line. At mile 7 it was my turn to see the competition that was preying off any weakness I had. Mile 10 I grabbed another cup of water. Mile 11, my mind was begging me to walk. Mile 12 my feet started to go numb. Mile 13.1 I crossed the finish line seventh overall.
I never stopped.
To cross that finish line meant the world to me. In 2020, for eleven months I couldn’t run when I would’ve done anything to. In 2021, relearning to run and gain endurance started. The runs were short. The confidence was low. The motivation to run often was weak. In 2022, I vowed to not take running for granted. Every month I’ve ran in a race. In two weeks, I will complete my twelve-month race goal.
I’ve ran half marathons before, but every race is unique. This half marathon was the first time I wanted to quit so early. Never have I experienced the pain in my feet like the pain I had in that race. The hills, temperature, and wind only made the course physically and mentally tougher.
I say all of this because… life is hard! We all have our own book that we’re writing (or for the runners, journey that were on.) There’s going to be easy times and tough times. Days are going to be as clear as a blue sky and as a dark as a thunderstorm. But you can’t quit because your story isn’t complete!
That race seemed like a metaphor for my life: easy, hard, and everything in between. I remember during my middle and high school days where it seemed like rain followed me everywhere I went. My parents knew I was ready to give up. But I didn’t. Of course, things haven’t been perfect since. I have my sunny and cloudy days just as you do, but the storms past faster than before. Ever since I made changes, a few things came to fruition that have helped me run this race of life.
Blogging. I’m one month away from three straight years of blogging. I’m blogging for me, not for educators or runners, solely me. I don’t go for views and likes. I do it because it’s fun. Positively journaling. Journaling started March 2021 after I read a book called Atomic Habits. Tonight, will be 620 straight days of writing down a few good things happened today (including this blog.) No matter how difficult the day, it’s incredible to see how many great things took place. Talking to someone. Sorry, but I rather talk than text. For me, it’s easier to convey my thoughts and easier to listen. Words can hurt, but words can also be used to uplift and tell your story. What do you do that helps you live your life?
Always remember:
Never stop.
Keep going.
Eyes ahead.
Head High.
Feet forward.
Thoughts positive.
Perseverance!
