Once Upon A Time I Took Up Running

Once upon a time I took up running.

I hated every second of it. It hurt my feet and my knees and if it was cold out, running made my asthma flare up.

But, I also loved every second of it. With every awkward and slow stride I could feel myself getting stronger, reaching goals I never thought possible.

Running forced me to learn how to breathe better. It forced me to learn how to pace myself. It forced me to sometimes let go of distractions and focus on a goal. It forced me to sometimes let go of goals and focus on distractions.

Despite how hard it was and how much I hated it, running changed me for the better.

For a lot of reasons, I no longer run.

But lately I feel like I’m running again. (Metaphorically speaking, of course, because that is my preferred language.)

As I race through each day, appointment after appointment, phone call after phone call, meeting after meeting, car shuttle after car shuttle, I feel like I’m huffing and puffing through another 5k race.

Everything hurts.

It sometimes feels like I can't catch my breath.
I can’t see any finish line in the distance.
Each step feels like such a challenge.

But, maybe this metaphorical running experience can also teach me something - just like my actual running experience did all those years ago.

Maybe this hectic sprint of today is a reminder to slow down, pace myself, and focus on my breathing.

Maybe this race is an opportunity to sometimes shift my focus from goals to distractions.

Maybe, just maybe, this stress of today is making me stronger and teaching me lessons about which someday I will be deeply grateful.

So, for now, I'll just take a few deep breaths and keep moving forward, trying to find some beauty along my run.

If you are running a similar race, maybe now is a good time to shift your focus as well.