Tonight I sit here at my computer, after running 8 km, and marvel at the fact that it has been almost one full year since my injury and the beginning of this journey. I have run a total of four races this year; my last one was on November 2nd. I ran a 3 mile trail at Starved Rock for my birthday (a bucket list item checked off). My next season of running is planned and the details will be finalized after the first of the year.
So, what do I write about? My joints are no longer plaguing me. My run times have improved from dismal to respectable. My distances are slowly getting longer.
So, what is left to talk about in a Runner's Journal?
The Runner.
This weekend I attended a women's retreat through my church. It was excited and exhilarating. And it left me with a lot to think about.
Words. Messages. Spoken and unspoken language. This was the topic.
What does this have to do with running?
Everything!
I discovered this weekend that running is one of my messages. The things I say about running influence others; runners and non-runners alike. The things I write here in this blog influence others. Words, both spoken and unspoken, are powerful!
Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose
Listen:
Two doctors, both with the same level of education, same field of study, same injury, same diagnoses, 25 years apart. One doctor says, "Quit! Give up! You'll never be able to do it." The other doctor says, "We can fix that! You'll be up and going soon." One doctor spoke death. One doctor spoke life. Twenty five years were lost because one person said, "You Can't."
Words. Are. Powerful.
My question to both you and me is: Which doctor am I? Do I shout, "Quit!", "You can't!", "Give up!" or do I shout, "Let's go!" "You can do this!"
Tonight I choose to keep journaling. To keep writing about running. To keep telling my story as it unfolds both on the road and at home.
I don't know what this next year of running will bring, but I do know it will be worth sharing.
Learning to speak life while running down life's road,
Lisa
