Running- A Metaphor for MY Life...

Good MONDAY Morning!

I've said before that I never considered myself a runner and yet, here I am,

 training for the Long Beach 1/2 Marathon.

I know it's such overused metaphor, 

but running has become 

a metaphor for

my life.

How?

Well, I have been able to see how my running patterns

 are very similar to patterns in 

my life.

1. I always make things Larger than they are in my head!

"I could NEVER run 13 miles!"

Well friends, I haven't yet, but I have darn sure run farther than I ever have in my life!

This training has gotten me to 10 miles,

thank you very much

2. I tend to focus on the moment, versus the long term.

I want to run fast at the start.

I want to hurry up so I'll be done faster....yeah, right.

Meaning...I bite/chew my candy, not suck on it.

(even though I'm not eating candy anymore, I used to)

I'm more of the Sprinter vs. the Long Distance Runner.

3. I overthink my run before I run it.

Overthinking: it will kill you...

In my head, I overthink the run, 
how many miles, 

how I will look after the run 

(sweaty, of course),

fitting it into the day with carpool, 
kids stuff, 
errands, etc,

and sometimes I even get a little anxious before I run
 because I've just thought about it too much.

Just like life....need I say more?

4. I underestimate my strength, determination - basically shortchange myself.

I decided to make this 1/2 Marathon a goal to challenge myself to accomplish something I never thought I could.

I don't know why I allow myself to "go there",
even after all the "work" I've done on my insides,  

I still get moments when I am doubtful about what I am capable of,
truth be told.

This has been a life-long battle of knowing WHO I am, Who's I am,

and that I'm 
capable,
 lovable

and wonderful,

gosh darn it!

The funny thing is that if this were easy for us

there wouldn't be any growth, 

right?

Keep the faith and keep growing!

What about you?

When you exercise, 

where do you see areas that are metaphors for your life?

Where are you being "grown" in your life?

And remember, it's never too late!
Make today TOTALLY AWESOME!

Leave a comment below 
and 
I'll do an EXTRA crunch today for every comment! <3

Never Too Late

To some of you seasoned runners, my PR won't be that big of a deal, but it sure is to me!

9 Miles!

Nine, stinkin' miles.

I have never, in my life, 

run 

9 miles.

I'm training to run the 1/2 Marathon in October.

My personal goal is to run the entire 

13.2 miles.

Believe me, 

it won't be pretty.

You see, the BIG DEAL here is that I have never considered myself a Runner.

N.E.V.E.R.

Have I run before?

Of course:

as a child, playing tag,

as a teen, during practice and the basketball games,

as an mom, running after one of the kids heading towards the street.

A little.

Since I can remember, I have always been an Athlete.

I took Karate,

played softball,

played basketball,

ran track,

played volleyball,

racquetball,

took yoga,

did aerobics,

lifted, and still lift weights

but I have never thought of myself as a runner.

I had to change those thoughts.

And, I did.

It took believing, and doing- 

over and over again.

It would not have worked without the

belief

and

the action.

Guess what?

You can, too!

It is never too late to make changes,

in your health,

your mentality,

in your spirit.

It is never too late,

for 

anything!

Romans 12:2 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

(one of my very favorite verses)

What do you think it is too late to-do or change in your life?

What would it take in YOU to change it?

Have a Terrific Tuesday!!!