What's your story?

Do you suffer from the comparison bug? It can be an easy trap to fall in to. I've done it from time to time. Let's be honest here, most people find themselves doing this in life every now and then. Whether it be in your personal life, career, race results, whatever - it can steal your joy. I have been feeling down about not running as much as I did last year so I spent a rare Saturday morning looking back over the past year in hopes of getting some personal motivation. I discovered that I logged over 350 miles in just a few short months leading up to my marathon. For me that was an insane amount of miles. During that time, I guess I was focused on my training, I was "in the zone" and probably too darn tired to truly crunch all the numbers to realize how crazy it truly was for me. I did exactly what St. Francis said. I started by doing what was necessary which finally led to what I thought would be the impossible.

I love those words. I need to remind myself every once in a while that I have come a long way from run/walking with my toddler in my jogging stroller. My love affair started when I decided that I needed to shed some of my "surprise" baby weight. I joined some of my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) friends to walk/run for exercise. It was fun for me and kept me accountable. One day after our run, I casually asked if any one was interested in signing up for a local 5K. WHAT?! I convinced two other friends to join me and we started training. I finished that first 5K in 29 mins and was hooked! I then set my eyes on a 10K, half, and finally this past year my first 26.2. Ever since that first 5K, I haven't broken up with running. Sure there were periods of time when I would say that we were on a "break". (Friends reference - think about Ross!) I'm gearing up for spring training. Just like any relationship, there must be give and take. Effort directly effects the results, right? That being said, I can proudly say that my relationship status with running is on-going! I will try my best to give to the relationship and I am positive that running will continue to give back two-fold.

Here is the link to the video. 

https://plus.google.com/photos/115390878626345208558/albums/5850850562714476689?authkey=CJOo_rbYt8OmrAE

Joy in the journey -
Emily