Runner's High

I ran yesterday, just like every day. I have been training my body for the last week or so to become a runner. Not for a marathon or anything like that, I just want to be a runner. I want to go on a morning run or an evening run. For exercise, for relaxation, for fun! From 3^rd grade on up to High School, I ran track. I was a sprinter, and a really good one. But I had no endurance. Give me  the 100 maybe 200, but that’s my limit! I don’t have time for all the long distance stuff. Now over a decade removed from being a track star, I decided to get back at it.

I have a plan, I will run a little walk a little, repeat. Until I was able to run a little more, walk a little less. And for awhile it seemed like I was still only able to run the same measly distance and nothing more. But I kept at it. Suddenly, last night while I was going over my same routine, something changed. I started running at my normal point and expected to go until my usual stopping point, but when I got there, I wasn’t ready to stop. I had breath! I could keep going!! Elated I pushed myself further and actually passed my second stopping point. Well here is where things got strange. Even though I felt that my body could keep pushing doubt in my mind began to speak up. “Stop Candace, too far”.” You can’t run this far.” “ You’ll get winded.” “ Your heart, what about your heart?” And then I felt it. Fatigue. Breathlessness. Chest pain. I slowed down to a brisk walk. Why?

Sometimes we are so locked in our old ways or our old mindsets, that when we are finally free and ready to move on, something pulls us back. “You can’t do it.” “Remember what happened last time” “Everyone will laugh at you… again” “Stop now, before you get hurt”. When the truth of the matter is you have already built up your endurance, you are strong enough, just…. keep…. RUNNING!!