One of the greatest things running has given me is a big, ongoing pep talk. A pep talk that surfaces in any and every area of my life, unsolicited, whenever necessary. It's the infusion of this YOU CAN DO IT attitude into every nook and cranny of my life, and it's one of the best gifts that running has given me.
I realized it this evening, when I was struggling with this 12th Day of Christmas post. I've had a lot going on in the last few days, I'm a little low on energy, and I just felt stumped about what this last post should say. I gave it a few go's--nothing was working--and then I start thinking You've got this, Diane and Dig deep, it's in there. And it dawns on me that I've acquired this attitude and belief that I can do hard things. I can get things done. I can do what I put my mind to. It shows up when I have 5 intervals left to do and I'm spent; and it shows it up when I have a post to write and I'm feeling stuck. It shows up when I'm excited and it shows up when I'm blue. Running has given me an internal voice that sounds like an ongoing pep talk:
If I'm worried: BE FEARLESS
If I'm unsure: CRUSH
If I'm floundering: FOCUS
If I'm doubting: YOU'VE GOT THIS
If I'm backing down: PUSH
If I'm losing faith: DON'T GIVE UP
If I'm feeling gritty: GRIND
If I have a lot to do: HUSTLE
If I think I can't: DIG DEEP
If I'm putting things off: GET AFTER IT
And for all the times I am knocking it out of the park: STUD! BALLER! YOU ROCK! PROUD OF YOU!
It may be the 12th Day of Christmas, but this isn't the final list of what running has given me, or will continue to give me. This relationship between me and running is dynamic, and as long as I'm running, the gifts will continue to come.