I went running outside for the first time in a few months today. How quickly I forget how running clears my head, helps me think, makes me focus and lets my mind wander all at the same time.
I ran my first marathon this last October. Each step of that race I felt myself falling in love. I will absolutely do another marathon...possibly two in 2012...because I've fallen in love again. While the race was amazing and I loved every minute of it...even the mile-long uphill battle at mile 19 that had my heart and legs screaming at me, which only made me yell at myself (yes, out loud...I only got a few looks) to push harder, and not give up...while that was incredible, my true love happened during my training. I discovered 'me' again. After what seemed like so many years of being outside of myself...living the 'average' life that 'so many' strive for...I finally took the time to look inside and rediscover the 'me' that was always there. I never left, I just needed a few hundred miles and two pairs of running shoes to get to know myself again.
So here I am today, in north-central Minnesota...with NO snow, venturing out for a 3-plus mile run that gave me more than a literal breath-of-fresh-air. It gave me my therapy time back. Some people spend thousands of dollars on therapy, which is absolutely fair and fine, I am a huge believer in therapy. However, my therapy bill now comes in the form of a Dick's Sporting Goods receipt with many Nike and UnderArmour purchases to support my habit...err...therapy sessions.
So what, in all that I could write about on this Christmas day, made me want to share with all of you my experiences in running? It was a single moment I had while out on the Paul Bunyan Trail...a patch of snow covering the paved trail that caused me to initially think, "Ok, patch of snow coming up, good place to turn around!" Then I looked at my GPS app on my phone, I was just at my mileage I wanted to turn around at...but golly darn it, this run was feeling so good! What is a girl to do? Crazy solution...I ran off the paved path onto the leaves and grass along the side and ran another 1/4 mile past where my expectation was set. And it made me think...what a concept! Think outside the paved path and you end up going further than you expected. Yes...oh yes, my friends...The Average Jill found yet another life analogy from my daily escapades.
On this day, when so many of us are feeling grateful for everything we have/received/experienced/count as blessings, in the coming days will go back to our daily lives and continue down the path we have paved for ourselves. Well...some for ourselves, many that were laid for us. Funny how one patch of snow could make me feel empowered and sad at the same time. You all know at one point or another I'm going to talk to you about your life goals, ambitions, dreams...sorry, but I think about this crap a lot! Make fun of me if you like, but my heart tends to want to inspire others before inspiring myself. However, I need to narrowly dodge vicious patches of snow in order to inspire me to inspire you! Yes, I have been called 'high maintenance'...I prefer 'Type A'.
So why did the patch of snow make me feel sad? I thought of all the choices I've made that kept me down the path that was expected of me. The path that disagreed with my heart, but felt more safe and sound than roughing up the waters of rebellion and walking (running) off the paved path before me. Why did the snow empower me? Maybe it's that I ran 26.2 mile in 4 hours...maybe it's that I'm realizing that I am actually the one in charge of my life...but ultimately, it was the choice, however small, to keep going. To not let 'me' limit myself, and to go beyond my own expectations. Because that success, my friends, is one of the greatest satisfactions you can experience. Believing in yourself enough to love yourself to a higher level.
So today I tell you all...Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, many holiday blessings to you all. Ultimately, we're all celebrating the gift of love. When it comes down to it, there is me, my love of my god, and the love I give to others...including myself.
