I blame it all on Legal Eagle. My beautiful 24-year old daughter’s determination is always an inspiration to me. When she decides to do something, it’s already done. So when she decided to lose weight and get healthy she wasn’t kidding. It hasn’t always been easy for her, but she’s persisted and now she is training for a half-marathon.
So taking my cue from her, I stepped out of my comfort zone last year and dusted off the dreaded treadmill. I figured I wasn’t getting any younger and it was either now or never. And so like Forrest I ran.
So taking my cue from her, I stepped out of my comfort zone last year and dusted off the dreaded treadmill. I figured I wasn’t getting any younger and it was either now or never. And so like Forrest I ran.
And like any new challenge we undertake, it has not always been obstacle-free. When I began, I could not run a tenth of a mile without an oxygen tank and lots of prayer. I’m NOT kidding. I could do the power walking thing all day long, but running was an entirely different animal and not something that came naturally at all. Consequently, motivation came in different forms on different days. Some days I was energetically happily running toward a goal. Other days it was all I could do to force myself to run away from my own self-doubt. I had to prove it wrong.
And so here I am almost a year later facing my first “real” running event. Will I be able to run the entire length of the race? Who knows? And quite frankly the way I see it it doesn’t really matter. Like Forrest I've realized the real race we run is not against each other, but against ourselves and our own fears. And in that race, like my daughter, I’ve already won.
Wow Lisa! That is great! I will be rooting for you! This is very encouraging and I thank you for sharing. You have motivated me to get back on my treadmill and get moving! I like you, can power walk forever, but I have talked myself into believing that I am too old to start running at this point in my life.(I use to run track in JR. High!) So now I am going to quit making excuses, thank God that I have two good healthy legs and start running! Baby steps of course! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara! Isn't it funny how you never know where you're going to find your motivation? If I can do it, you can do it When I get discouraged I too remind myself how blessed I am to even have the ability to run. Let me know how it goes for you!
ReplyDeleteI think you've inspired me - almost. I am no a runner - God blessed me with rather large, how shall I say.....um, boob! I'd need 4 steel bras to corral the suckers. But, I am starting back to the gym. Sorta. Right now, I'm in Key West, awaiting my darling boyfriend's return with chinese for dinner (in bed). It's my goal to eat chinese in bed....
ReplyDeleteLori - That's great that you've started back to the gym! My daughter keeps trying to get me to go. Went to one cycling class and thought I would die right there! I like your goal - may have to try it! :)
ReplyDeleteLisa, I really have enjoyed reading your blogs. This one especially was great inspiration to me, bc I have decided it's now or never to get back in shape. I have always said, Oh, I'm going to stop drinking sodas, and loose weight, but I never followed through, but since I've been back home and realized how much all this eating out fast food and what not is doing to me I've decided it won't be so bad to really start exercising and dieting. I wish you the best of luck on your 5k. You will do great! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sam! I know you can do it! Glad you've enjoyed the blog. We'll have to get together before you leave.
ReplyDeleteLori - One phrase. Enell sports bras. Heard they work wonders :o)
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