The Long Walk Home – Finding My Inner Xena!

It’s just pain, right? That’s what I kept telling myself on today’s run. I’m not sure what happened or why today was so tough, but I’m glad it happened today and not Sunday. In preparation for Sunday’s 5K race I’ve mapped out my (3.2 mile) route. A few minutes in I knew I would be lucky if I even made it to the 1.5 mile mark that I hit on Monday.

The first 2 minutes were tough, but I though I just needed to warm up. The following 4 minutes were just as hard, which is surprising. Usually once I get going I settle in and find my zone. Not today. At the 10 minute mark I was thankful I hadn’t dropped or stopped. My legs hurt and didn’t seem like they wanted to keep going. The thought of another 20 minutes was not a happy one…but I kept going.

Now the full route deposits me right in front of my house. If I only get half of it done I get to walk the rest of it home. Maybe it was thinking about the long walk home, my achy legs or the work that was waiting on my desk that had me off my game. Who knows? It just happens like that sometimes.

At minute 12 I summoned my inner Xena Warrior Princess and channeled all of my West Indian ancestors. I said to myself, “Why you crying? HUN???? I’ll give you something to cry about!!!!” and kicked up my pace. I figured if it was going to hurt I might as well make it worth being out there. I should point out that these were stiff muscles and aches from trying something new, not pains that should cause me to stop and see my doctor.

What I discovered about myself, as I fought to finish the last 9 minutes of today’s jog, is that I am capable of truly accomplishing great things (I did make up time and at least matched Monday’s distance). Sometimes I need to remind myself to stay in the moment, to focus on the very next step and that’s it. One day at a time, one step at a time and one task at a time.

Today I will not focus on the aches and exhaustion, I will remind myself to celebrate that I jogged 30 minutes straight, through pain and doubt.  I will also celebrate the things I have done in support of being a great mom and successful entrepreneur.

Don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back today.