The Who I've become - 1000 days

It's hard to imagine what I might be like at some point in the future.  I think back and wonder if I would have ever guess that scrawny little awkward farm girl would have ever grown up to be the person I am today.  I often wonder if that scrawny farm girl would be proud of the "who" I've become.

 

May 9th, 2010 was Mother's day.  It was the last rest day I've taken for 1000 days.  On May 10th I hadn't decided to run for 1000 days but I knew that I had wanted to run on Mother's day and simply hadn't been able to fit it in.  That started a desire to find ways to fit it in, make it happen and prioritize my run. 

 

1000 days later I have left the road, grown in my ultra trail running, made many amazing friends, pushed myself beyond what I ever thought I can do, learned, taught, laughed, cried and loved every step along the way - even the really hard ones like the unexpected extra 5 miles in that 50 miler.

 

I won't change a single thing.  But when I went to plan my run for that 1000th day, I had a choice.  Friends were going to practice a section of the Massanutten trails and I really wanted and needed to get out there but I also had commitments to help the PTO.  1000 days ago I would have gone for that trail run.  I would have told myself that I would be able to get it all done later.  But I didn't go.  I chose to fit my running around my life instead of allowing my running to, well run my life.

 

That morning I spent with my family as we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast together.  Then I spent the afternoon on the phone and computer rounding up volunteers.  That evening I went for a brief run and felt great about it.  The next day I spent the entire day in the kitchen cooking and baking for S'ghetti Girl's teacher appreciation dinner.  Again that evening I went for my scheduled run.

 

I guess it's taken me this 1000 days to see that running, fitness or whatever you focus on can be an integral part of a life without being the only part of that life.  It is my hope that for the next 1000 days I can continue to challenge myself and enjoy trail running without missing out on everything else that my life has to offer.  Because those finish lines are so much better when there are friends and family happily waiting there for me.