This…just this…pause for a second and remember I have dystonia.
Life’s lessons. Every year I vow to post more, to write more, to share more and every year life gets in the way. One thing is certain though, I always write a year in review at the end of the year and a year of resolutions in the new year, so 2016 you rocked my world!
For 2016, I had set a Big Hairy Audacious Goal, I’ll let you the reader tell me if I succeeded, I ran:
- January – Disney Half
- January – Miami Half
- May – Brooklyn Half
- July – Chicago Half
- September – Philly Half
- October – Halloween Half
I had one more to do but life got in the way and just couldn’t make that race. But 6! Yes 6, I am so proud of myself. Prior to this year, I had run a total of 5 halfs! I am not without saying thanks to my tribe, my run squad, my tribe of girls that what’s app daily about what workout or run we should do today. I am beyond grateful to all my friends and family that come on this journey with me. Thank you to everyone that supported me on this journey.
So why this many? Because I needed to prove to myself that with the right diligence and training, I could do anything if I worked hard enough. I needed to stop the chatter in my head of “I can’t”. I needed to realize I wasn’t going to come in last. I needed to prove to myself I am a runner. So as of 2016, I call myself a runner. I don’t say “oh I run/walk”, that’s irrelevant. What is relevant is lacing up and running.” Just do it”, as simple as Nike’s mantra.
2016, thank you. You taught me I can be greater than I think. You taught me I can be a runner. I call myself an athlete now, I earned it. Every 4:30am alarm during the summer for a long run, every evening run, every speed session, every strength training session, that was all me. That was my input. My output was running my best times at age 41!
I won’t be running for the next 3 weeks, due to a back injury but this rest is earned. I am not the only athlete that gets benched many great ones do. I call my rest period my chance to get a tune up, to start 2017 even better and stronger. So what’s for 2017? I guess we’ll have to wait and see in my next blog!
Run Carrie Run! 