Running has Taught Me About Life

For anyone that knows me well, you know that running is my life and recently I've had a few set backs. I just found out that I have a bacterial infection in my body that I have been fighting for about 4 months and didn't know it!

I've always been the girl who loves to go out with her friends and still gets up for a run the next day, I've always been the girl with way too much energy! I've always been the girl you see on the running trail with a HUGE smile on my face as I run the miles.

These past few months I've been struggling to get my run in, I've been struggling to get through even a mile. After running for more than 30 minutes I feel tired and exhausted, I thought this was just my body telling me that I needed to push harder .. was I wrong. 

Over the past few months I've been battling the beast that is distance running, these past few months as I’ve had to push myself through miles and as I've had heartbreak over running I've learned valuable lessons about myself out on the trails, bike paths, and sidewalks something that I would never learn in a classroom – lessons that not only contribute to better and more successful running, but to everyday life as well. Here’s just a handful of the lessons I’ve learned over the past few months of pounding the pavement.

It's a great stress reliever

We all deal with stress differently, before I became a runner I would cry and yell and scream and cry some more and than fall asleep. Whatever works for you is great but this was not very effective. Then I found running. Discovering  your city can really cure a bad day. Even if you’re not a runner, this can be used for you as well: try a new coffee place, take a different route home. I promise, it’ll do wonders.

You are your strongest competitor and your most respected cheerleader

Nobody is going to tell you that you need to get out the door; you are going to be the only person that gets you out there. It doesn’t matter if you’re struggling through your longest run or you’re preparing yourself for that presentation that could possibly launch your career, your inner voice is going to be the one that yells at you to fight, to perform, to be your best. Because no matter what, other people are going to tell you it’s okay, you did your best. No one knows you better than yourself. You know if you’ve given your all, if you’ve completely given yourself to the challenge at hand. There have been times when I know I haven’t given my all but people will still tell me “Tiara, you did great!” you are the only person that knows better.

The right pair of shoes can change your life

This one’s pretty straight-forward from a running standpoint. If you don’t have the pair of running shoes that fit your feet and provide the much needed support, you’re basically begging for an injury, trust me I’ve been there! I’ve witnessed this in everyday life as well – as a woman, the right pair of shoes will carry you wherever it is you desire to go, a great example is Cinderella. It’s all about the confidence the shoe gives you. Slip into the right pair of running shoes and you can run a marathon; slip on the right pair of heels and you’re definitely going to nail that project.

Facing challenges is the most empowering experience out there.

Whether the challenge is your long run or not, take a second and think about the last time you felt truly empowered. Was it when your boyfriend told you that you looked good today? Was it when your roommate told you that the apartment needs cleaned? Was it when your friend complimented your shoes? I can guarantee it wasn’t. I would be willing to bet that the last time you felt empowered was when you overcame a challenge yourself and achieved something that you did not think possible. If it’s taking on an six mile run instead of five or finally asking your boss for a raise, only you can push yourself to face the challenges that come in the fine print of life