Soapy

Just to let you know, I jogged two miles tonight. Without stopping. With intermittent sprinting.

I accomplished this with the help of my iPod, Truffle Shuffle, who now boasts a brand new playlist that, I discovered, includes the Remember the Titans theme song. Picture me bouncing along to that as JT and I did our final sprint at the end of the stretch. I weaved. And flailed. Embarrassing, maybe, but it helped me get past those moments where I wanted to flop facedown on the pavement, catch my breath, and wait until JT realized I wasn't coming and arrived to peel me from the sidewalk.

There are so many excuses I have to keep me from running. Even doctor's excuses. I have patellofemoral knee pain syndrome, which not only hurts my kneecaps, but also affects my pronation and causes pain in my feet when I run. Years of basketball cause my patellar tendon to act up, giving me Osgood-Schlatter-like symptoms when I run (bump where your shin meets your knee gets really inflamed). I have toe problems.

You know, I'm tired of waking up in the morning and thinking, If only I'd have stuck with my diet and exercise plan two months ago. Just think of how much better I would look and feel right now! Many of these health issues will probably be resolved when I drop a couple of pounds, but until then, running isn't normally a feel-good process. Tonight it was. I can get used to this feeling. Just wanted to let you know!

I am learning that the truth is, there's always going to be an excuse. The weather isn't right. I ate too much and will probably barf. I'll do it tomorrow. Excuses are the ugly, red-headed stepdaughters of Self-Doubt. Something I am realizing that's true for every woman is that no matter what you have done in the past, no matter what you look like, no matter what kind of shape you're in, or what LIES people who love you have told you that have ingrained those doubts in your mind, YOU are worthy enough to be the best you can be. That doesn't have anything to do with a specific size or shape, it's about loving yourself and treating yourself accordingly. It's one of the hardest truths to accept, but so worth it!

Wow. So sorry about this soapbox. I will step down now! Hope this reminder helps, though!