Happy and Jubilant after finishing a challenging year of running.
From my nose to my toes, I really felt those relaxing runs this year. Are you surprised with my choice of key running body parts? Let me explain: My nose because of the cold air forcing me to cover it with a hat, some smoky days when air quality here in Lincoln was very low, nasal congestion in general (thank you Breathe Right strips), especially during allergy season, the odoriferous running laundry, keeping the nose to the grindstone while churning through running miles, and the scary collision I had with the ground in March when I hit my head in the dark while not wearing a headlamp. (Safety and caution while running have become a new part of my routine.) My toes really had to bear the brunt of my fall in March, too. Plus toes can blister and require extra attention before and after races or in high-mileage months. And the stress of some 200 mile running months, including the bookends of January and December. I noticed in the past few days my toes felt sore. So wearing the Injinji compression socks today to individuate support upon each toe seemed smart.
But the sustained effort, patience, perseverance, and persistence paid off. Yesterday, on December 30, our daughter’s 12th birthday, I finished the solo 2,015 mile running challenge. Today I added 5 more miles to finish with 2,021 on the year. Less than last year but I’m very happy with that given that I hit my head on the pavement in March and fell on a rocky driveway, injuring my ribs this month. But both times I came back and rebounded with vim and vigor to make sure I could reach this goal. Here are some assorted photos from yesterday:
Running Irony: Finished 2,015 mile challenge with same shoes I fell in when I injured my ribs this month. Only this time I wore spikes!
The aptly named intersection where I passed 2,015 miles: INFINITY Road & 14th Street. I draw energy from any road or circle named INFINITY!
Yes, the runstreak is still intact. The U.S. Runstreak Association is wondering and they want to know my end-of-year mileage. So I will report it to them as well as Run This Year and the Run the Year (Run the Edge) folks. Today was day 773 of the runstreak.
This year has made me aware of the importance of every body part in running, including my nose, toes, and yes, even my ribs (body parts we don’t think about much). Although after I injured my ribs, I jokingly asked my mother if she had any spareribs in the house. hahaha! She didn’t think it was quite as funny as I did. She was quite concerned that I shouldn’t be running the Run Laughlin half-marathon if I was hurt/injured. But rest and KT Tape healed the rib injury. Sometimes milestones can feel like millstones if we get caught up in the drudgery or struggles that injuries or roadblocking obstacles and present. But patience and positive mental attitude can make a big difference with each and every challenge we face. Every time we fall, we must rise again and face our challenges with renewed energy and strength.
We are constantly reminded that running is a gift. We should appreciate it as a gift, never taking it for granted, and have the courage to unwrap our running gifts and see where they take us. We might be surprised by how high we can soar if we but gain and maintain the courage to fly and soar like an eagle.
Thanks to all of you who have helped inspire and motivate me to pursue new paths and dreams, encouraging me to utilize more of my gifts and talents with others as a runner, friend, and coach. I’m very excited about helping as many people as I can as a certified running coach and now, a Dr. Sears certified health coach.
Happy Healthy New Year! What are your dreams and destinations for your future? And what are you doing to pursue these incrementally on a daily basis? Peace and prosperity to you and your families and friends! See you in 2016!
Happy Tired Running Feet
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