It’s the two year anniversary of In Between, and I’m celebrating.
Also, please bear with me on a running post that’s much more than a running post.
In my first newsletter “Welcome to In Between,” published in April 2023, I asked readers to “join me as I contemplate and write about living authentically and fully through grief, relief, misery, joy. The magical moments and the messy ones. All of it. And everything in between.”
Last April, on the one year anniversary, I wrote about “savoring beauty and joy and celebrations of all kinds! And the people with whom we share the journey!” in “Celebrating.” The multiple exclamation points tell you I was definitely in a good mood, celebrating not only my commitment to writing, but also a fun road trip, a joyful family wedding, and the happy arrival of spring.
On this two year anniversary, I’m again in a celebratory mood. If you’ve read my posts lately, you’ll know that I’ve been training for a half marathon. Well, that run was yesterday. I did it! My older son also ran the half-marathon. It was a first for both of us, and we were very fortunate to have nice weather and family and friends cheering us on along the way.
My brother, who did a half marathon just a couple weeks ago, called me Friday night to encourage me. His main piece of advice was “have fun.” And despite some nerves the night before and on the morning of the run, I held his advice very close.
I had fun! I stopped to take selfies with family and friends who cheered me on. I smiled and “thumbs-upped” or pumped my arms or “woohoo’ed” and thanked the many strangers along the way who encouraged me. I sang along to my upbeat 80s playlist during the more solitary parts of the run. When some of the full marathoners (who ran the same route TWICE) passed me, and I was just trying to get it done ONCE, I shouted “great job!”
That’s not to say it was easy in any way. It was exhausting and painful. My feet were ready to give out. Within minutes of finishing, I took off my shoes and socks to free my sore, aching toes. It took me three hours and eight minutes to run 13.1 miles. Slow and steady to the extreme! I felt the miles for sure.
And also, I put in the miles. My preparation was far from ideal. On many days in January and February, it was too cold or icy or snowy to be outside. Shorter runs on the treadmill had to do. I got sick and missed a week of training in March. I skipped the recommended cross training or strength training altogether. I got way off track on my nutrition goals too.
Still, I committed to the half marathon in many ways. I told people I was doing it. I prepared imperfectly. There were many dark, cold mornings when I didn’t want to run. There were Saturdays when I would have preferred a relaxing morning with a cup of hot coffee rather than a long run in temps as low as 18 degrees. And I did it anyway. I found my stride and the routines and routes that worked for me.
Eight weeks ago, the longest running distance I’d completed was six miles. I made a video that day, which you can find in “Do the things.” Yesterday, I ran 13.1 miles. I doubled my distance in eight weeks. That took commitment, effort, and vision. It took a (sometimes shaky) confidence and a promise to myself. It was hard and painful. It was exhilarating and joyful.
Listen, this isn’t about running.
It’s also not about bragging, although I am proud of myself for training and for finishing the run.
It’s about learning from the journey. Because if I can do this, what other things might I do that I want to do but that I’ve been procrastinating on or pushing away?
There’s no perfect time, and there are no perfect conditions. There’s just now.
It’s about goals.
It’s about mindset.
It’s about promises we make to ourselves. And keep.
It’s about taking concrete, committed steps toward what we want to do, whether it relates to health and fitness or relationships or career or passion projects or community-building or activism or creativity or hobbies or whatever it may be.
It’s about starting, even before we think we’re ready.
It’s about doing it, even when the conditions aren’t perfect.
It’s about understanding there will be ups and downs along the way.
It’s about knowing that we’ll want to give up.
It’s about knowing that we can push through.
It’s about doing hard things AND having fun, even at the same time.
With care and gratitude,
Mary
P.S. I should have included a big thank you to all my family, friends, and coworkers who encouraged me throughout my training and always thought I could do it! Special thanks to my husband and children who always believe in me and that I can do all the things! xo
What a great accomplishment, Mary and an uplifting post! So proud of you (and Jan)!