September 18, 2016

I was born with Dystonia, rare neurological disease, which should have me in wheelchair.

In 2006, I was given the ability to run through science – Deep Brain Stimulation, aka brain surgery.

I became a runner through grit, perseverance, strength and sheer determination.

Today I truly said to myself – Carrie you inspire me.

After my brain surgery in 2006, I said my goal will be to run a 10K. Well here I am 10 years later and so many lessons learned and goals and PRs broken.

When I set out to retire from running several years ago, I had run 5 half marathons. 5 painful half marathons. 5 half marathons I trained for the wrong way.

Fast forward to 2016.  As of January 1, 2016, I have run 5 halfs with 3 more on the books for the rest of the year.  I have never enjoyed running so much as I have this year, so for 2 hours and 45 minutes today I thought about why?

1. I believe in myself. For the first time I realized, I won’t finish last. I won’t win. But I will get my bling.
2. I put the time in my training. I don’t rush it in 4 weeks, I have a plan with a run coach and I stick with it.
3. I sleep. A LOT. 8 – 9 hours is the goal.
4. I invested in a nutrition coach who listens to my goals and virtually coaches me to perform better through food. I may not always be on point but I try to be and the results show.
5. I try and eat as clean as possible.
6. I try to drink as least as possible.
7. I strength train.
8. I stretch.
9. I Ice.
10. I rest.
11. I found a tribe – a group of like-minded women that help me get out to run on the days I feel lazy and cheer my on when I succeed, did I say we don’t even live in the same state much less country.
12. I do my best at every race.
13. I listen to my body.
14. I smile with every step.
15. I enjoy the miracle of every moment and appreciate the miracle.
16. I love running, the wind in my face, my feet pounding the pavement and realizing every race is a dream come true.
17. I shed a tear at every race and just say thank you. Thank you to my family, thank you to my friends, thank you to my medical teams and just thank you to the Big Man above for giving me a second shot at life!

Today’s run I knew I wasn’t ready for and I didn’t push, I took my time, I enjoyed the scenery and just said hey it’s a training run and was just so full of gratitude.

Being happy in the moment is a new attitude for me.

Appreciating myself is a new outlook.

Truly realizing the gift I was given with the miracle of modern science and believing in myself, that’s what I call winning!