A year ago, I wrote this post about my first-ever official 5K. I had just begun my journey down the road of healthy eating, losing weight, and running – and to no surprise, I was much different then.
I had never run that distance before, and even though I didn’t explain it too much in the post, I was very nervous. As I had said, I try not to look like an idiot in public – and getting up to the start line a year ago was terrifying. I had never run 3 miles before, and nothing feels worse than to get up to do something when you’re not prepared.
But, I pushed through and did it. If that isn’t proof to my current self that I can mentally get myself to do anything, I don’t know what is. A year ago, I could barely run for more than a mile. Since then, I’ve completed a bunch of 5K races, 10K races, 5 mile races, and a half marathon.
As I finished reading my post from last year, I couldn’t help but smile. I got to watch myself improve and aspire towards goals that seemed impossible then. I was aiming to run in a 10 mile race in October 2014 – now, I’ve already run 13.1, and will run another 13.1 in November.
Back then, I never thought that I would be where I am. Despite all of my bad runs, disappointing moments, injuries, days I went to sleep crying, and times I felt like it was easier to just give up, I have improved so much more than I could have ever imagined. And it took me a year to realize it.
This year, I ran in the 2nd annual GLOW Corporate Cup with not nearly as much training as I had last year, but was feeling ok about it. My time wasn’t exactly where I wanted it to be, and I crossed the finish line a little disappointed (mostly because I developed a painful blister). But, after reading my post from a year ago I realized that there’s going to always be good and bad days; in running, work, and my life overall.
Take a minute to look at who you were a year ago. Really look. Where were you working? Who were you friends with? What were your short and long term goals? Have these things changed? For the better, or worse? Try to write yourself a letter – it doesn’t have to be long – describing you. Who are you, where are you now, where do you want to be? Seal it up and open it next year or even 6 months from now. You’ll be very surprised about what you find.