1,420 healing and life giving miles. This number I celebrate. Today's run - the last one in 2015 - was a reflective one. Each one of those miles taught me about myself.
Today the sun shines bright in the cold December sky. The northerly wind puts the air at a brisk 28°; all reminiscent of the start of the year. Those were some incredibly difficult miles. Losing both my parents within a year of each other and both at Christmas brought a darkness and a sadness I have never known. January and February's running steps held many, many tears, brokenness, peace and comfort.
Running steps didn't happen much in those first months. Some days it was a good day by getting out of bed. Some days it was a really good day by getting out of bed and getting pants on. The rest of the world appreciated that too.
March came ushering in spring. Sunnier days with birds singing and warmer temps made running steps easier. My running friends always making it a point to push me forward. We got a summer marathon on the calendar and with it came a training plan. On the days when I felt I had no energy to tie my shoes, I did. After all, my friends were waiting.
Those running steps brought me strength.
The trees around me clear and I am passing a farmer's field. Mount Baker stands regal in it's beauty. Psalm 46 comes to mind, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear, though the earth should change and the mountains slip into the heart of the sea." I wonder what it would take to make something as strong and sturdy as Mount Baker slip into the heart of the sea. I think about God as my strength. I think about who He surrounded me with during this difficult year. Many people come to mind, and I am overwhelmed when I think of each of them. One of those strengths He gave me is a fabulous woman who is the most outgoing introvert you will ever meet. And she gets me. Oh, does she get me.
As a fellow introvert she wasn't afraid when I would retreat away from the world. She let me be in the scary lonely places in my heart, but would always be there with a nudge when she thought it best for me to come back out into the world.
"Let's meet for dinner after church."
"It's time to plan a date night, what night works best?"
"How 'bout we eat some Russian perogies Saturday night?"
She prayed with me in the ICU when my dad was given a 10% chance to live. She prayed for me more times than I will ever know. She also makes me laugh until I snort. Countless times while I ran I thanked God for putting her in my life.
Those running steps taught me gratitude.
The summer marathon came. So did the hot summer sun. I do not run well in the heat. This marathon crumbled beneath me and I let it. At times I was dizzy on the course, and I knew full well what that meant, but knowing the fight both my parents showed in their last days I would not quit. With 2 friends at my side, we walked and ran and talked about many things. The emotional highs and lows of the previous months had taken it's toll on me physically. Everyone (but me) could recognize that; I finally accepted it.
Those running steps taught me the importance of health.
A runner passes me on a quiet country road. Where did he come from? He startled me and I karate chopped him. Or maybe I screamed and said, "You scared me!"
The months of 2015 began peeling away. Focusing on my emotional and physical health, I gave myself permission to "just run". I signed up for a fall marathon and the entire goal was to enjoy every single step. My BRSs (Best Running Sisters) signed up with me and each week's long run we worked on falling in love with running again. No speed work, no tempo runs, no "have-to-do-this". We simply ran.
It worked. This marathon we laughed and took our time. If we felt like walking we did, if we wanted to run, we did. We enjoyed every single step. We ran by multi-million dollar homes in Seattle and made up stories about the people who owned them.
The finisher medals double as beer bottle openers (score!) and the race director made sure there was plenty of hot soup waiting as it was a cold 32° when we finished.
Those running steps taught me that to love running is a choice.
I'm closing in on the 9.77 miles. Once again Mount Baker comes into view and this time faint oranges and yellows kiss the snow. The sun will set soon on this last day of 2015.
1,420 miles and I close out my running year. There have been higher mileage years, faster mileage years but none near as important. I'm hard pressed to recount a running year that has meant more to me than this one.
This running year showed me that my running friends are not people I'm just sharing Saturday morning runs with; they are family. They uphold me, cry with me, laugh with me, and push me out the door to run. They make me a better me.
I look forward to sharing many miles with them in 2016.
Happiest of New Years my friends.
