Just do it

Every single day is a new day to every single person alive. I have never been at this point in my life before. You have never been at this point in your life before. I may have been your age once; you may have gone through some of the same events and circumstances that I have; but none of us has ever been where each of us are right now. Everything we do from this second on has the potential to reshape our life.

When people talk about how life can change in an instant, they’re usually referring to an unforeseen incident – a car accident, a severe illness, a job loss – things over which no one has control. So, if something out of our control can change our lives, why can’t we knowingly change our thoughts and actions to change our lives as well? We can. But rarely does one think to do it. We get so wrapped up in what we’re doing that nothing else comes to mind.

Ten years ago when I started running, I didn’t have any idea where to start or what to do. So I just went out and did it. My only thought was, “The sooner I start, the sooner I’ll be where I want to be.” At that time, it was a healthier weight I was after, but it took me farther than that emotionally and even spiritually. Besides going to school and deciding which classes to take and direction to head, this was the first personal decision I’d ever made. I’d never done anything just out of the blue like that. So what, that I’d never ran before. So what, that I wasn’t known as a morning person. So what, that I didn’t have the physique or grace of an athlete. The only thing that mattered is that I wanted to try out this running thing. The worst that could happen is that I’d hate it and I’d stop.

I remember that first week clear as day. I felt so uncomfortable, so exposed out in public. But I did it anyway. I knew that the only way I would feel comfortable is to keep doing it. It was about a half-mile around the block (“around the block” was around the local hospital so it was a large block), and I partly walked and partly ran twice around it every day that first week. I saw the neighbor leave for work. He waved and I waved back. I would have bet money he thought I looked ridiculous. Never mind, not my business – keep going. The second week was more the same and by the third week I was going around the block three times and running a bit more. I saw the neighbor off and on in that time and would always exchange a smile and wave. Then one time he hollered to me “Lookin’ good!” as I jogged past. Later I saw him and his wife and she said that was so great of me getting up and running in the morning. And he said he ran in high school, but hated it now and was impressed that I could do it. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to that inner demon of mine worried about what anyone else thought. As it turned out, my fears were completely unfounded.

I still don’t have the physique of a runner and I’m not anything close to graceful (I have scars to prove it) but now when I run, regardless of where I am in my training, I don’t think about what others see. It’s none of my business what anyone thinks of me. I could be coming off of an injury limping along, I could be in full stride, but whatever my gait, it’s mine. And I managed to get here myself.

Never give up. Never give in. If you want to do it, do it.