Life is Good
I decided that I wanted to run the Boston Marathon this past November. I said if I could get a number, it meant I was supposed to do it. I have always wanted to run in it, and with everything that happened last year, I felt even more motivated to run.
When I was growing up, I would go into the city to watch the marathon for the day. Almost three years ago when I was in my last halfway house, I went into the city with all the girls to watch the runners cross the finish line. I found it so incredible that anyone could push their body to that limit. At that point in my life, I was two months sober, smoking a pack and a half a day and asthmatic. Running a marathon didn’t seem in the cards for me, but here I am almost three years later training for my first marathon.
With each run I go on, I realize more and more that running is all mental. The way I’m thinking and the way I’m feeling determines the type of run I have that day. I compare my running to recovery. The two are very similar. As with running, my recovery varies day by day. Sometimes I’m on my game, amped up about life and feeling like I can accomplish whatever I want. Other days I am feeling down and out and confused about my life and the direction I’m heading. There are times when I’m running that I just want to stop and give up because I don’t think it’s possible. I know if I keep going, I will make it and become that much better and stronger in my running. While being sober there have been those days I have just wanted to give up. I felt like I couldn’t do it, I wasn’t good enough and I would never be capable of living a “normal” healthy life. I can say today that those things are not true. Every time I have worked through those tough moments, I have come out on the other side better than before.
I have accomplished each goal I have set for myself since being sober. It took hard work, determination and faith in my higher power. There are days I don’t think I’m capable, but I reflect on how far I have come since watching that marathon three years ago. I feel so blessed to be part of this marathon. Life is good. It is not perfect but is much more fulfilling. If you have a dream or goal for yourself, give it your all. Don’t give up, and know that anything is possible. Share your dreams with others because you never know who you are going to inspire.
If you would like to share your dreams or your story with Heroes in Recovery, please let me know! Comment below and help inspire others and Break the Stigma!!