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13.1 has been a distance packed full of emotion for me- fear, joy, inspiration, perseverance, hope…and one of the most thrilling things in my life. I’ve been thinking quite a bit about 13.1, as I’m still on a bit of a high from my recent half marathon PR a few weekends ago. Because of that, I thought I’d share 13.1 thoughts and lessons I’ve learned in running 13.1!
1. I’ve learned to not say “never”. I used to say that I would never be a runner…that I hated it. Oops… Because, it turns out, I am a runner and I LOVE it. Running has taught me to keep trying things, even if I don’t like them or they aren’t easy at first. Preferences and hobbies change over time, so I’ve learned to not close doors forever.
2. I can do hard things. Running has taught me that I can do hard things, and I can overcome those hard things. Running provides a very tangible thing to hold onto (race memories, race pictures, training situations) when I’m worried I can’t do something else hard in my life. I can do the hard things.
3. There’s joy in the journey. Running 13.1 isn’t just about race day… it’s about all the days leading up to race day too! There’s joy, struggles, and so many lessons learned through the weeks of training, and the more I can capture the excitement of training each week, the more enjoyable the whole race experience (from start of training to processing the race afterwards) actually is.
4. Running 13.1 has taught me the importance of balance both within my body and within my life. Running 13.1 well means cross training, strengthening other, weaker areas of my body, and keeping other areas of life healthy as well (hydrating, appropriate diet, sleeping well, having fun with friends, etc…). Running has made my life as a whole so much healthier as I strive to stay balanced.
5. Running 13.1 has taught me that I don’t have to be defined by my chronic illness (POTS). For so long I thought that exercising would be out of the question forever, but I slowly built up my workout tolerance, and I did it with a whole lot of fight and perseverance.
6. The race course gives a high that is hard to replicate in most other areas of life. Ok- so I’ve never done drugs, so keep that in mind, but the high is fantastic. Conquering something fantastic, seeing all the race signs and people out cheering, and feeling the adrenaline and endorphins surge through my body all lead to these insane feelings that are really hard to describe.
7. You don’t have to meet your goals or set a new record to have a good or valuable race. There are plenty of races I’ve had that haven’t gone the way I’ve wanted them to go- I ran a near perfect race, was set to PR, and lost it in the last mile when I was wracked with really bad cramps that made it impossible to even move at one point. I’ve run races where I’ve missed my PR by a few seconds, wondering where I could’ve pushed it just a bit more to get a new PR. I’ve had races where I’ve hit the wall at mil 7 or 8 (I still don’t really know how that happened!), and spent the rest of the race really struggling. All of it has been valuable, and I’ve learned so much from those races too. The “bad” races are still valuable, and it’s part of the journey.
8. I’ve developed more mental strength as a result of running longer distances. Running really is part mental, and the lessons I’ve learned in mental strength have been lessons I’ve implemented into so many other areas of life as well.
9. Running is a beautiful gift. Running is something that is so easy to take for granted (Just throw some shoes on and put one foot in front of the other! Sounds easy, right?), but we shouldn’t. One day we each won’t be able to run, but today is not that day for me, and I want to take advantage of the gift that I’ve been given while I’ve been given it!
10. Running 13.1 can lead to some great friendships and conversations along the course. I’ve chatted with people along 5k routes before, but when you’re running with a pace group or in a similar cluster of people for a half marathon, you have plenty of time to chat if you want! Running 13.1 was how I met Melissa!
11. Running can’t be the only form of physical activity I do… or I’ll get injured. Everyone is different, but once I started training for my first 13.1, I realized that I had to keep it balanced!
12. Running 13.1 ignited a passion in me that has carried over to lots of other things in my life!
13. The finish line…oh, the finish line. Coming into the finish line is unreal. The emotion hits like a wall, taking over every fiber of my being. The crowds screaming, the announcer saying your name, the sheer moment of realizing I DID IT. Realizing the hours and months and the pain along the way was all leading up to this very moment is overwhelming. The pride I feel, and the joy that comes with it, is amazing. The finish line of a race is truly one of the greatest and most inspiring places I’ve ever ben in my life.
13.1. Running 13.1 has enriched my ways in more ways than I ever thought possible. It’s changed my life.
Ok… well that’s been lots of rambling about 13.1. I love the distance, and am truly thankful for the beautiful and frustrating journey it’s been to each of my 13.1s. But really… I’m thankful for how this journey has really changed my life.
Now it’s your turn to share! How has running changed your life?
“I can do hard things” became a mantra during my toughest marathon training run. I wanted to quit so many times but I repeated that to myself over and over and it got me through. I agree that crossing the finish line is unreal. I still get emotional thinking about crossing the finish line at my full last month. I never thought I’d be a runner and it’s changed me in many ways. I’ve gained confidence, self-respect, motivation and pride in myself. There is nothing quite like being a runner 🙂
Awww- I love this! I love that running has the ability to change your life in so many ways! Congrats on your full 🙂
This is so beautiful and genuine, Caroline! Running does so many different things, for so many different people. It seems it has changed your life in so many positive ways. I know running has been a source of strength for me and has helped me through some pretty rough times. It reminds me that there are always healthy ways to deal with adversity.
Thank you! I think that’s one of the things I love about running. It’s the same action for every person across the world, but it means so many different things, and the journey it takes us all on is so different!
I love all of your reasons such a great write up. For me – I think it has made me a more balanced person and given me a great way to be healthier and take care of myself.
Running is really a great lesson in balance, and I love that! I’m so glad that you’ve been able to find so many great benefits from running too!!