Friday, June 27, 2014

Stringing the little things together

It's funny, as I look back on this year so far I can't help but laugh. Roller coaster would be an understatement, let's just say I have been climbing mountains and jumping off cliffs. Adventure begins when comfort has left you. I've spent more time 'uncomfortable' this year than I have in a long time, and it's amazing to see the changes it has brought and the adventures it has taken me on.

Something I have been really doing lately is appreciating the little things. Don't get me wrong, I have always been a sucker for the little moments way more than grand gestures. But lately that's what really gets me through each day. I've stopped worrying about 'the big picture' and just taking the time to focus on "stringing together all the little things". The smiles when no one is around, the perfectly timed message, planning things to look forward to, those things that get you from one day to the next.

Planning things to look forward to has been high in my priorities lately. Whether it be time with friends, races, future trips...or even just planning a workout for later that I know I'll love. Looking at the little day to day things to get you to the next big thing.

After some long talks, my best friends reminded me that this is the year of me. The summer of taking chances, and the summer I'll look back on and laugh at the crazy things I have done. This year has been about chances and changes, both little and big. Stepping outside my comfort zone, finding what is best for me, and really deciding where I want to be....and more or less, who I want to be.

Who I am at this moment, is someone I respect a lot more than past versions of myself. So while I am not where I want to be, I'm a heck of a lot closer than I was yesterday and the day before.

I may not be a super-high mileage runner but I'm a lot stronger and more consistent than I have ever been (my experience, and now consistency is going to do wonders..I have to believe that).

I may not be the fastest or most experienced, but I feel like the experience I do have is more valuable than I give it credit for (and others give me credit for).

I may not be settled in with my life, but I've got a much better grip on what "settled" means to me.

I may not have the biggest circle, but I have the best friends a girl could ask for. I wouldn't trade the people in my life for anything (and not just because human trafficking is illegal....)!

I may not be perfect but I am always looking for ways to improve myself in all aspects of my life.

I may not have it all figured out, but you don't need to in order to move forward (this was a good reminder from a friend recently).

I may not be rich but I work hard, and I am able to support myself.

I could go on and on...it's called progress and not perfection.

Some 'little things' stringing my running together right now....
Seeing my natural 'easy' paces be quite a bit faster than they used to be....

Hitting paces in workouts even on 'bad days', and hitting even better paces on 'good days'

Having friends training for similar goals within same time frame, nice when others are going through the same things you are :)

Seeing my rolling totals for mileage lately be numbers I've never seen consistently before(or at all).

Planning more runs with other people- sometimes the company is nice to have!

Having "bad race times" be times that I used to only dream of on GREAT days.

Being able to help others meet there goals as well, running karma.

'Visions' of some big PR's to come...best way to get lost in a run, keeping eyes on the prize!

Finishing a run or workout, covered in sweat and that 'never felt better' mentality.


What are some little things stringing you together right now?

6 comments:

  1. I love this post and love that you're doing so well. I can relate to a lot of it too. You're going to do big things, I just know it!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. this post rules, just like you. i have really enjoyed all your posts that show those vulnerabilities but even moreso show how STRONG you have become. youve been dealt some difficult cards and its so admirable how well you're dealing with it all. one day at a time. keep doing YOU cause either way the time is going to pass <3

    ReplyDelete
  3. I absolutely love this post. I couldn't be happier for you. You are such a strong and inspirational female and I'm seriously honored to have you as a best friend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good for you laura! This is a great read! I think things are going better for you than you realize! Especially hitting workout paces on bad days, that is a really good sign. You are so strong, and you will become even stronger for staying positive through a time like this! Keep up the good work, the results will come when the time is right :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Many of my little things are similar to yours: "easy" paces coming down, planning some runs with friends, helping others meet goals, and - oh god yes - the covered in sweat "never felt better" feeling! I'm also, somewhat unexpectedly, experiencing a mindset shift of what "long" is. Suddenly a half marathon doesn't intimidate me at all, and a marathon isn't this huge, insurmountable distance. An unexpected but welcome thing to string along with everything else!

    Great read; your mountain climbing and cliff jumping skills are graceful and refreshing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I absolutely love your perspective here. I find that if I work hard enough, I can almost always find really good things in my life to be thankful for. Are things perfect? Of course not, but life doesn't have to be perfect to be pretty darn good!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...