I ran a 5k on Thanksgiving Day last year. Before I give the impression that I am more of a runner than I am – a 5k is 3.1 miles and that is about as far as I can run without stopping. It was my second year to do it and I felt like I was in good condition. I woke up on the morning of the race and oh, was I tired! I got to the starting line and my legs were lead. I changed my focus from how fast I wanted to run to getting across the finish line without passing out. I started with a very slow pace. Most of the runners passed me and I remember thinking, “What am I doing out here?”
At the halfway point of the race, the runners were to make a u-turn at the end of a street and run back the way they came. As I approached the u-turn, all the runners ahead of me were passing me on my left. What I did next wasn’t premeditated, but I am still surprised today by the result. I looked at each runner and smiled –you know a big, happy-to-see-you smile and a few times I said, “Good job!” I laughed at myself because these were the runners ahead of me.
I kept nodding and smiling and then I made the u-turn and braced myself for the slight hill. There were a few runners behind me and I kept smiling at them, too. And instead of feeling each heavy stride, I felt like I was gliding over the road. What I expected to be the hardest part of the run turned into the most enjoyable stretch. Cheering on the other runners changed me. I felt happier, lighter and physically better able to do what minutes before felt impossible. I finished the race, shaved a minute off my time from the year before, and I didn’t pass out. I also walked away with a newfound appreciation for the power of encouragement—receiving it and giving it.
So even though I feel like the new kid on the block today, this is me, with a big smile on my face saying keep up the great work you are doing. For those further along in their writing journey, I am happy to be following in your footsteps and for those just beginning, I am here to say, you can do it!
Oh Tamara I needed that today!!!! I spent a fair amount of time running for my high school and ran a 10K with my son a couple years back. He wasn't used to running, which was obvious to others besides myself. The other runners around us began cheering him on and I saw the power of encouragement take a hold of him and push him across the line AHEAD of me. :) I was so grateful to those other runners just as I'm grateful to the writing community that are so supportive of one another. Here's to getting and giving encouragement!! Thanks for the reminder...and encouragement. :)
ReplyDeleteTamara,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you joined us. Your words really hit home today. I kinda feel in the middle right now, so many friends of mine are achieving their dreams and I feel left behind, yet I see others who are just beginning and feeling their dreams are beyond their reach. This gives me hope and also reminds me to encourage others, regardless of their place in the race.
Hugs
Good Job, Tamara! Nice, uplifting first post!
ReplyDeleteFrom one who is following behind you. :)
Great post, Tamara! I hope that we can continue to encourage each other along the path!
ReplyDeleteNice post, and a big "great job" to you too!
ReplyDeleteGreat story and example. Go Tamara! (I love your smile.)
ReplyDeleteThis is just what I needed too. I have decided to do a sprint triatholon this summer. I've really been feeling like I'm crazy for even trying. I've been at the gym working hard, but a wierd thing happened. I was looking at my sweaty tired self in the full length mirror while on the elyptical machine and suddenly I smiled at myself. That smiled tricked me into thinking I was having fun, and before I knew it, I WAS having fun. We have to do that with our writing too. When we hit the points where we don't feel like writers, or sitting down to the computer, we must put on our best, can do attitude and fake it till we make it!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamara, You have a great way of expressing how I feel every time I post a blog or share a story. It is great how helping others also gives us hope. I really enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. A couple of weeks ago a dear friend challenged me to lose weight and get back into shape this summer. She woke me up early and told me to get my shoes on because we were going for a walk, so I put on my shoes, a black shirt, and black sweat pants off we went. We walked on desert trails to the reservoir behind my house and after several minutes I was positive I wasn't going to return home alive. (The weather here in southern Nevada in the summer is hot, hotter, hottest.)She wouldn't let me stop, though, and I kept praying I wouldn't collapse. By the time we got home, I was sure exercise was going to kill me. But you know what? That one day of her encouragement set me on my way to walking every day with my dogs, even in the heat. I don't wear black anymore, I have found a pair of shorts, and I bring a big bottle of ice and water. When I get to thinking how much I don't want to sweat, I remember how good I will feel when I get home and off I go. I hope to incorporate that attitude into my writing. I am just beginning, but each day that I try to talk myself out of sitting down and writing, I remember how good it feels when I do.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comments. I love being a part of this great writing community!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Tamara! It's all about attitude isn't it? The more positive you can be the better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder!
I think it is amazing the lift a little encouragement can give. Just knowing that other people are running the same race as you is encouraging as well. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post Tamara.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! Love you!
ReplyDeleteI love your story. It's so true. With writing, too, when we are encouraging others it gets us excited about our own work.
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