Rachel starting the Philadelphia Half Marathon with her cousin, James

Taking the time, during a race, to remember my “why”

Three years ago, I signed up for the Philadelphia Half Marathon. I planned to run with my cousin, his wife, and one of my friends from home. This was to be a fun training run on my way to my first full marathon until I injured my hip. It was my first DNR and inside, I was devastated. Not only would I miss the history of the city, but the amazing crowds that cheer all the runners along the way. It’s been a long road to recovery, partly me learning to listen to my body and it’s needs. But mostly me learning how to properly train-complete with strength and cross training. This year, my cousin and I signed up to run. I was all-in on setting a PR-a time I had not reached since injuring myself. And in all that focus on running more than what I was capable of, I forgot my reason “why.” Around mile 4, the all-too familiar pinching feeling started. I started to berate myself, but then I realized, this was not why I run. I don’t run for time, I don’t run to push myself beyond my limits. I run to be a part of something bigger, to absorb all that is going on around me. I run since others can’t. Oddly enough, the moment of my epiphany, one of the many church bells along the route started chiming. That was when I let go and set my mind to enjoy the run, as much as one can enjoy 13.1 miles! Highlights: seeing Ben Franklin and his wife giving high fives next to the Liberty Bell, the amount of people braving the cold to cheer on complete strangers, the support an encouragement of fellow runners, and all of the fun signs! My favorite was “Pain is just French for Bread.” So, once I let go and enjoyed the ride, I felt redemption. This was the reason I had signed up in the first place, the reason why I run races (other than seeing all the fun medals). So, as I set my sights on loftier goals: completing a full marathon next fall (eek! It’s published online, that makes it official!), I am putting my focus on running to enjoy the feeling, and to encourage others to push their souls to the limits (because, let’s face it, anything after 10 miles is run with your soul, not your body). Let’s see what we can do when we run for more than just ourselves.

“Running is nothing more than a series of arguments between the part of your brain that wants to stop and the part that wants to keep going.”

— Unknown

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more.