It was my first long run without my training partner.  We'd been doing our long runs at the park, and he usually led the way.  So, I was on my own to navigate the trails.  In my mind, I had it all planned out.  I'd follow a similar path as what we took last time.  I didn't look at a map.  I'm terrible at maps anyways!  I knew it in my head.  

Well, I came to an intersection 1 mile in that I'd never noticed before.  When I'm not leading, I tend to not pay as much attention to things like which way to go when faced with an intersection!  So, here I was, on my own, and I had to make a decision.  Well, I went right and soon realized that wasn't our normal path.  I decided to keep running.  I had a general idea where it would lead me, so I wasn't shooting completely in the dark.  I also knew that it'd eventually meet up with the trailhead I intended to hop on.  So, another mile in, I came to an intersection.  I saw a sign for the trailhead, but again I could go left or right on the trail.  I couldn't remember which way to go, so I turned left.  Well, that took me on a loop back around to that first intersection!!!  

Eek!  So, I was 3 miles into my 12-miler and I hadn't even made it onto the actual trailhead!  But, you know what I realized?  

It's when you get lost that you find your way.  

I now know exactly where each of those intersections lead.  Had I not explored it myself and let myself get lost, I never would have learned it.  I had been relying on my training partner all these weeks and never noticed where the path led.  

I also realized that miles are miles.  My goal was to cover 12 miles that day.  It didn't matter if the miles were all on the trailhead, or if 3 of them were me exploring my way onto the trail!  

The fact is life is life.  It's days, one leading into another, of experiences and lessons.  You'll have days that you get a little lost.  Can you enjoy those days with a sense of adventure trusting that it’s all helping you find your way?  

You may not know this about me, but before there was yoga, there was running.  I started running when I was 12.  Slow and steady was my pace.  Long distance was my jam.  I remember my high school cross-country days when I first dreamt of running a marathon.  Flash forward 22 years (whoa!!), and I'm going for it!  

Why in the world would I run 26.2 miles?

I knew this would be an important question to answer when I set out for this goal.  You may remember from my Thriving in 2020 video about the importance of your "why."  Because in those hard miles on race day, I know I'm going to keep going back to my why.  Just like in life, when those obstacles come up, your "why" is what gets you through!

So, here's a bit of my why:

1. It brings me joy!  I took a 10-year break from distance running due to a knee injury.  I've made a mindful return to running over the past couple of years and have re-discovered my love for it!
2. Running was my first meditation.  Before I knew about meditation or yoga, there was running.  I'd run when I was happy, sad, angry, or stressed.  I found solace in my running shoes and an open road.  This past year was full of transitions, growth, and change.  What better way to process those changes than through the steady rhythm of my footsteps!
3. To celebrate my body.  Every day, I'm grateful for my body and health.  Running is a way to honor my body.  To celebrate and appreciate this physical form that allows me to do so much day in and day out.  
4. The insights I gain on my long runs.  Even when I was in high school, I'd get insights and life lessons through my runs.  This still holds true today.  I'll share more of these recent insights in the upcoming weeks!
5. To feel empowered.  Ok, I mentioned that this past year was full of transitions.  But, I'll be honest with you now, the past year knocked me off my feet!  Setting a physical goal and working towards it is empowering.  It feels good.  
6. To serve my community.  Through running this race, I'm also helping raise money for cancer research.  Linking my personal goal with an even greater purpose makes it all the more worthwhile!*

I hope that sharing my story and some of my "why" inspires you to go for your goals!  It's never too late.  Is there something you've dreamt of?  What's holding you back?  It's taken me 22 years to start training for a marathon, but here I am!  And, once you pinpoint your goal, get clear on  your why.  It'll propel you forward, I promise! 

*Support cancer research by making a donation HERE