I started running competitively almost as soon as I could walk. I was three years old when I joined in my first official race. My mom and both of my brothers were runners, so the sport was built into my life from the beginning. When I was young, I enjoyed the freedom, joy, and sense of power running gave me. This pure, concentrated love of the sport gave me wings that carried me through even the toughest practices and races.
However, as I got older, pressure began to build up. I was winning, but I lost sight of my real purpose as a runner: to have fun. I even began to fear hard workouts, knowing I would be disappointed if I didn't achieve my goals. Before the final season in my high school career, I trained so hard that I got exhausted and hurt my calf. Rather than pausing for treatment and recovery, I chose to get to the line. But at last, I had to step off the track because the pain was simply unbearable.
Recovery was tough. When I was finally able to run again, I was out of shape and couldn't keep up with my team. Over the next three years, more injuries followed. But later, a famous long-distance runner Cathy's post changed everything for me. "Every day, I make the choice to show up and see what I've got, and to try and be better. My advice: Keep showing up." With just a few words, she reminded me how simple running really is. I realized I didn't have to be perfect every day. I just had to show up and give what I had.
Now, I still run every day and have completed four marathons. Joy and gratitude are the center of my practice. Thanks to Cathy, I can always return to the calming belief that things will go my way if I just keep showing up.