I tried running year before last & last year. I ran an 8K, 10K and a half-marathon. The half-marathon was last spring. It was the very last time I ran. It wasn't a pleasant experience AT ALL. My time sucked, everyone and their GRAND-mama was passing me. As soon as I crossed the finish line, there was no "runner's high", just praising God that it was finally over. My sweet friends that I trained with were always encouraging, but I hated that I was ALWAYS last. Every single time we trained. But as Kristin reminded me, 'don't be discouraged because other people are doing it better'. She's right. My thinking is pretty selfish. Just like in my favorite poem, "Desiderata", "If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself". I had become that person who gave up on running because I was bitter that I was the "lesser person". I am the slowest person I know. But, who cares?!? Running slow is better than not running at all!
After all this thinking that I did...I made a decision to NOT be bitter or jealous. Because I have 2 legs & 2 feet. I am capable. So, after 1 year, 1 month and 13 days...I tore the tag from the half-marathon off of my shoes, laced them up and ran my neighborhood! I was proud...I actually ran 3 miles WITHOUT STOPPING. That's a big deal for me!
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| Rejuvenated. Proud. |
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| When I got home, I jumped in Bella's little pool. It was cold, but felt good. |
Thanks to Kristin's advice & encouragement, I'm going to kick it up a few notches with my exercise & clean up my diet a little more to bust through this plateau.
Just because it means so much to me...here's
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
By: Max Ehrmann
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1 comments:
I'm so proud of you!!! Girl, any exercise is better than none! It doesn't matter how fast you are! And just for the record, you look fabulous!!!
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