Marathon Journey Week 10 & 11

These past two weeks, I had to take a break from my training. I didn’t really have a choice—I hurt my leg. I was walking up the stairs at an apartment complex and fell, hitting my right leg exactly where a sensitive vein sits near the surface. It was swollen, painful, and bruised for weeks. At first, I thought, “Great, another obstacle.”

But during this break, I did a lot of thinking. Before the injury, I had started a routine that involved weight lifting alongside my walking and jogging. Mentally, I thought I could handle it, but my body was screaming, "This is too much!" I’ve decided to simplify. For now, my focus is solely on the running.

Questioning the Goal

Before the fall, I was just going through the motions. Training felt hard, and I wasn't seeing the progress I wanted. It made me question if I should even be running at all.

But a funny thing happened during this rest period: I saw other people out running, and I felt that spark of "I want to be out there, too." I realized I still deeply want to achieve this marathon goal. I truly believe that when things feel like an uphill battle, it’s either a sign that the goal isn't for you, or it’s a sign that you need to change your rhythm. For me, it’s about the rhythm.

Signs Along the Way

I’ve tried running before—once in my early 30s when an ankle injury stopped me, and again in 2022 when I pushed too hard and my knees suffered. This time is different. In 2022, I was focused on the scale and trying to maintain a specific weight after losing 35 pounds.

Today, I don't weigh myself. I don't want to focus on a number that works against my mental health. I might be heavier than I was then, but my knees don’t hurt. I’m listening to my body, and I’m taking my time. I’ve never tried to run at this age or at this weight, and I’ve certainly never tried to run with this much mental and emotional awareness.

I also received a sign that I’m on the right track: When I bought my new running shoes, I used a gift card I had won. I didn't realize I had enough on there to cover the entire cost of the shoes. When things like that happen, I take it as a "yes" from the universe to keep going.

The Evolution of Sarah

I’m doing this to stay healthy, but I’m also doing it because I think it would be amazing to say I ran a marathon. In high school, I used to walk or skip the "mile run" entirely. Completing a marathon is a way of witnessing my own evolution. If I can do this here, I can do it in every other area of my life.

This break was exactly what I needed. Instead of pushing through and making the training feel like a "chore," I rested. A dream should never feel like a chore. There is so much advice out there about how to work out, but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is how I feel mentally, emotionally, and physically.

I hope that whatever your goals are, you find the right rhythm for you. Remember to love yourself, and as always, consult your doctor before starting your own "marathon journey" or any new physical goal.

I love you

This is Love