My very dear friend, Melody, sent me this email this week. It was so good, and spoke so clearly to the power of running, that I decided to use it as a post. Used with her permission. She’s awesome and I love her. Read it to the end. It will inspire and encourage you.
Hi Jen,
I just wanted to drop you a line this morning to let you know what an encouragement your blog is to me. I really appreciate that you talk about running and working-mom style adulting in a real way.
I thought you might be interested to know that I started running this spring after I left IBC staff. I say running because joggers always seem to be the ones getting abducted and whatnot. So I don’t jog, no ma’am. I run (however slow it may be). I had never run or played sports or really asked much of my body before, and I’m happy to say that my body can do lots more than I expected of it. Isn’t it funny that even knowing the pain of being underestimated and undervalued by other people, I still underestimate myself?? Ha!
Running is hard. There were the first few weeks when I thought my knees were just sore and adjusting and needed more stretching. But then I finally mentioned the knee pain to my chiropractor and she popped my knee back in alignment! There were the weeks I had to take off just as I was starting to see some progress. There was the unending summer heat and humidity. There was my sister’s wedding. There was my best friend’s funeral. There were so many excuses.
But this time, I’ve decided to be stronger than my excuses. This time, I’m getting my whiny diaper baby butt up and out on the trail. Did you know that if you jog at midnight, every leaf will look like a frog and you will be terrified to step on them? Would you also believe that the teenagers smoking pot on the trail didn’t even offer to share even though I’m obviously young and cool? 😉
Regardless, I’m running anyway because I decided to. It’s not about being seen on the trail or setting a good example, or buying cute workout clothes, or treating myself to an extra cookie because I can. It’s about giving myself permission to prioritize myself. It’s about being disciplined to meet my goals, even when I don’t feel like it and no one is watching. It’s about celebrating the body God gave me by using it!
So all that to say, I think you’re onto something with this whole running thing. Even if I never win a race, even if I don’t lose a pound, I’m glad to have running in my life. So thanks for continuing to encourage me through your honest (and often hilarious) posts. I appreciate you.
Sincerely,
Melody
Big sigh. Run with joy and intention, Friends. It can change everything.
Aww doesn’t it just make your day to get an email from one of your readers!?
Truly does! As you know, at times the whole blogging thing can feel a little thankless. And you think, is anyone anywhere even being helped or encouraged? And then you get something like this and you think . . yeah, I can do this for at least 5 more years now:).
Run with joy and attention, it can change everything. I tottaly agree with it. It’s make your life’s full with energy and power
Running is hard, yes, of course, for those who just start running. But if you get acquainted with running, you will enjoy it. Running is full of joy.
Run with joy and attention, it can change our life. thanks for sharing
When i started running my first week. I just wanted to give up. My legs burned out! it sounds fun a little bit bz im gonna say my dog is a person supported my spirit to get back my race. He run with me everymorning, he never gets tired. When i stopped and gasped, he barked at me like :” hey, Girl. come on, you can do that!”. And 2 weeks later, my body increasingly connected well with running and i enjoy it until now:)
She looks great! I also had some troubles at the beginning, but now I can do it well.. running in the morning and having some workouts in the afternoon (if have enough time) then do blank exercises before going to bed. I totally agree that it’s really surprising when you realize your body can do that much.