Familiar

There's something beautiful that happens when you walk back into things so familiar. There's something peaceful that takes over me when I'm here--when I put on my running shoes and know I can run blindfolded and know exactly where I'm going and where I'm at. The streets are familiar, the smells are familiar, and the people are familiar. It's the knowledge that I've logged hundreds and hundreds of miles on these streets, that makes me want to keep going and keep pushing myself. 

So many life decisions have been made during my running. So many story ideas have been developed, and poems have been written; so many of my doubts, worries, fears and insecurities have been washed away, as sweat dropped off of my body and hit the pavement; with each footfall against the road, life seems to get easier, and the road ahead seems less and less daunting. I feel all of my mistakes being left behind me, and feel my eyes focus, intently, on everything that is before me. 

We can make it anywhere in this life, so long as we take it one stride at a time. I think that is the true reason I love running. It's not that it doesn't hurt sometimes, or that my body isn't tired, but it's the knowledge that, with every added mile, I grow in some way, emotionally, mentally, or even physically, in terms of strength. As I begin to log more miles at a time, I gain more confidence in who I am and the strength that I have to endure the storms of this life. In some way, not really sure how, it reminds me that I can literally get through any storm and any trial. 

My whole life, one of my biggest fears has been breaking a leg or injuring myself to the point of not being able to run. Drs told me to stop running about 4 years ago, and yet, here I am, logging more miles today than I did yesterday. 

So here's to the road ahead, and the beginning of training for the Rock N Roll marathon in San Diego next summer. Here's to the mental clarity it will bring, and the amazing changes it will bring to my life. Here's to setting goals and striving for them, no matter the cost or struggle. Here's to new chapters and new beginnings. Here's to the road before me, and the beauty of leaving the one behind me.