More than a Marathon!

Something has changed within me. This last week, I've started to notice a difference in my run... finally!

Firstly, I think I no longer hate running! During my day, I'm not dreading my run, but giddily looking forward to it all day. Maybe those emotions are mixed with the fact that I run RIGHT after work and it signals the end of my day as well, but I like to say it's because I'm looking forward to my run. My desk is in the corner of our office surrounded by windows and they just so happen to look off in the area that my running trail goes towards (which is towards Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge). All day I gaze out and gage the weather happenings for my run. It creates an excitement that builds in me all day, even if it's raining :) It's something concrete and healthy that I can do to get through my job. Then, when I get to the trail, I'm amped up for my run and not dreading it. 

Also, I noticed a change in my running form without me fully acknowledging it. Before I had to be very concious of keeping my body straight and tall and was jogging slow so my leg extension wasn't very long yet. And once I corrected my form, it only lasted around a minute before I slumped back into my slouched form again. But this week I began running, maybe it was on Friday, and my stride was longer which propelled me further. It just feels easier to run and I'm going faster than before! Again, this wasn't concious, it just happened one day. Isn't it crazy!?

Then, I also noticed that time is flying when I'm running. It's my "ME" time... so I begin by intentionally shaking off my usually stressful work day and leave those stressors in the gravel behind me. Then I think about my positive affrimations and how they are slowly becoming a reality. How I'm beginning to feel heathier and more fit. And I can slowly feel my body start to change (have to buy new pants this weekend because none of mine fit anymore!). I feel slightly slimmer, my stretches are longer, my confidence is higher and my thinking is far more positive! And I'm becoming stronger, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. I'm learning more about myself so I feel stronger about standing up for myself and I'm reacting more controlled to negative or stressful situations. After thinking through all of this, I'm done with my run and I can't believe how fast it went and how I didn't even have to put thought into it to keep myself going. Such a change from when I had to think through every step to complete my run.

Last Friday when I reached the end of my 50 minutes, I had just passed the 4 mile marker and was still feeling energized. I was either triggered by adrenaline or guilt from lunch (bosses bought Five Guys), but I pushed myself a little harder and I know that I shouldn't have because of what our schedule says, but I couldn't stop myself. I realized I wasn't far from 5 miles and just wanted to make it. So I pushed on and when I hit 60 minutes, I made it to 5 miles. And instead of feeling exhausted (which I was), I felt exhilerated! Eight weeks prior, one mile was an extreme challenge and I felt like I had reached a point in my life where change was impossible. But now, I feel like I'm really in this. That it is actually a possibility that me, this person who never raised the bar with myself, could not only run a marathon, but change myself for the better!

Looping this put me at my first 5 miler!!

So I guess when they say, "It's so much more than a marathon"... I guess they're right!