Marathon Journey Week 6

I’ll be honest: this week, a part of me felt like giving up.

I’m at Week 6, and I thought I’d be much further along in my running than I am. When I tried to jog on Wednesday, I could feel a familiar pull in my right shin and calf. I think it was mostly dehydration, but it was enough to make me nervous. I don’t want the shin splints to come back, so I adjusted my activity to accommodate my body.

Then there was the sleep. My schedule has been off, and when I don’t sleep, I feel nauseous and physically drained. It’s frustrating because I can fall asleep just fine, but I can’t stay asleep.

The Mental Tug-of-War

There’s a voice in my head that says, "Maybe you should just quit. You’re struggling." But then there’s the other part of me—the part that remembers why this goal resurfaced in the first place. I love running. There is a lesson here for me about patience and compassion.

For most of my life, I was taught to "push" by everyone—parents, managers, society. I’m used to grinding even at the expense of physical pain. But my own expectations have shifted. Now, my goal is to take care of myself and love myself. I am doing that by being honest about both the wins and the challenges.

The Weekly Breakdown

3/22

Week 6

Sunday: Rest

Monday: Walk 3.0 mph for 25 .minutes a total of 1.24

Tuesday; Rest my sleep was awful so took a rest day'

Wednesday: walk/run walk 4 minutes and jog 1 minute. After the second jog I decided to walk the rest. I didn't like how my right shin felt or my right calf. Walking felt fine. I did 20 minutes walk was at 3.0 mph jog 4.8 mph total miles 1.06

Thursday: Rest. Had a boudoir session

Friday: walk at 3.0 mph for 25 minutes 1.24 miles

Redefining "Progress"

I sometimes wonder, as I share this with whoever is reading—whether it’s 10 people or thousands—“How is this inspiring if I’m not hitting big miles yet?” But then I realize: the "win" this week isn't the mileage. The win is that I am listening to my body. I am making myself rest even when I have a million things to do. I am preventing injury so that I can actually make it to the start line on October 4th.

My body is different than it was a decade ago when I last ran. I can’t do the same things and expect the same results, and that is okay. Pushing to the max is not the way to health. I am finding the right amount of "push" to move forward without breaking.

I’m still figuring it out, and I’m definitely not giving up. I can’t wait to see what next week has in store.

I love you.

This is Love