All Or Something
Since running my first marathon, I’ve learned so much about myself. I’ve discovered a resilience I did not know I had and realized that I can push myself further and harder than I ever imagined. Completing 26.2 miles was one of the most life-changing experiences of my life. The journey of planning, training, and crossing that finish line is one I will cherish for the rest of my life. Now, I find myself asking, “When will I do the next one?” The answer is real soon as I have another in the works! However, with all the excitement and joys let’s be transparent - life has been “life-ing,” as they say. Here’s a quick recap of where I am today in my running and self-care journey.
After the race, I gave myself about a week or so off to recover, as my trainer recommended. My body needed the time to heal, especially after running such a long distance for the first time. (During training, the longest I’d ever run was 20 miles!) I rested, let my body recover, and… admittedly, let some of my healthy habits slip. I told myself, “Hey, I just ran a marathon. I deserve this.” Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of my mantra that food is fuel, and I let food take over.
I tried easing back into a running routine, but it was rough. During marathon training, I had gained weight—a side effect of the process I wasn’t fully prepared for. Carbing up during training is essential, and while I was told the weight would drop after the race, it didn’t automatically fall off. Instead, I found myself maintaining that extra weight, which put me in a bit of a rut. I’ve had to work hard to pull myself out of that space.
While I’ve been consistent with my workouts and okay with my water intake, my food discipline hadn’t been the same initially after the race. I also had the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas in my path. What I have realized about myself is I need a goal to focus on, like training for a specific event. I am not sure if that’s good or bad, but for me, having a milestone gives me purpose and structure. Without it, I sometimes struggle to stay on track.
On top of that, I’ve been recovering from an injury. Last month, I jumped back into running too soon without proper stretching, and I injured my hip. It’s been a slow recovery, and I have had to modify my workouts to avoid re-injury. So I have really been more focused on my water and food intake.
I often tell others to give themselves grace and just jump back in, but I need to take my own advice. While I have jumped back in, I sometimes fail to give myself the grace I extend to others. Even so, I’m doing well. My health is better than it’s been in years, and I know I can do hard things whether running, walking or strength conditioning.
I’m learning so much about myself daily. I know that in order to serve my district well, I must prioritize my health and continue to stay active. I know I will regain my discipline with food and return to fueling my body the way I need to. As I mature in age, I am increasingly aware that the choices I make now will pay dividends in the long run.
Sometimes, I have to stop and remind myself just how far I’ve come. It’s not always about the number on the scale. It’s about the NSVs—the Non-Scale Victories. My clothes fit better. I’ve lost inches. I’ve dropped a dress size or two.I have more muscle mass, energy, and strength than I’ve ever had in my life and I just feel good! These victories matter just as much, if not more, than any number on a scale.
Life truly is a marathon, not a sprint. As I continue on this journey, I’m working to take care of myself while also focusing on the people I serve. I’ve set new goals—a half marathon by March and a 10K with my family and my second marathon this year. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next.
I hope my journey inspires, encourages, or challenges you. Whatever you’re striving for, remember: it doesn’t have to be “all or nothing.” Sometimes, it’s simply “all or something.”
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