Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope you are having a great week.
I'm feeling some running talk today and post about just keeping it real.
So let's be honest--->
I talk a lot about how much I love running on this blog.
I reminisce about moments like this...
and especially this…
Especially that one.
I could wax on poetically for hours about finding the elusive runners high on mile 4 of an 8 mile training run.
About how running without any electronics makes me feel like a big kid.
Or about how running in a tutu rocks.
Running brings me so much joy. It keeps me grounded, fit, strong, happy and allows me to eat way more chocolate and carbs than I should.
I run and train for all of those good times.
To be completely honest though, running isn’t always easy. There are days where my legs feel like boulders and my joints feel like they aren’t attached properly.
I have plenty of days where my vocal chord dysfunction and my lungs just don’t want to play nice and I literally can’t catch my breathe.
I’ve had to stop and walk up one of those stupid hills mountains in my neighborhood more times than I care to talk about here.
Running does NOT come naturally to me at all and it is something that I am constantly working at.
Running isn’t always as easy as I make it sound on this blog.
The other day I had a run where I literally could not get my breathing controlled. About two miles into the run I had no choice but to stop and walk. I was going to walk straight home and give up, but I decided to try again. The second time I started I had similar results and again almost gave up. I tried a third time and finally got enough rhythm to finish out my three miles. As I got back into my driveway I felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.
It is an amazing feeling to not give up, even when the odds are stacked against you.
But regardless of how easy or hard a run is, running is always worth it. Every run teaches me something about my limits, my strength and my heart.
I am willing to work through those hard runs because it reminds me that I am strong.
Running constantly humbles me but it also reminds me that my heart has no limits.
So no… running isn’t always easy. But it is always worth it.
And that's the honest truth!
See you back here tomorrow for the Top 5 Posts of April!
I’m linking this post with Wild Workout Wednesday and Wow! Workout Wednesdays. Also Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday. Thank you so much ladies for the link up party!
Your turn!
Is running easy for you?
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
What a fun post. Running is not always easy, but the hard runs are the ones that really make you stronger.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
You completely captured the essence of running. And it's the memory of those effortless, easy runs that get us through the tough runs!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Wendy! I'm so glad you totally "got it!!"
sarah@creatingbettertomorrow says
I think this is why I lvoe running or working out in general..it isn't always easy, heck it hardly ever is...BUT you push through, you prove to yourself that no matter how hard you CAN do it!
JulieWunder says
I agree! It's such a confidence and mental booster!
Natalie says
I love this! Running can be tough sometimes, but it is so worth it.
As a longtime runner, I have to say our sport brings me such happiness and joy.
Love all of your pictures!
Blane Sherer says
I really liked your personal and inspirational blog today. As I have written here before, what I think really resonates with your readers is your honesty.
Jess @hellotofit says
Although I don't run often, your post speaks to me today. Even though I blog about strength training and people assume I work out 7x/week at 100% intensity as a personal trainer, there are lots of days where I don't feel it, or I half-ass a workout. xoxo!!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I love this--it is like a compilation of reminders to FIGHT YOUR FIGHT. I'm a 3x BQ marathoner, CPT, yogi, and strength training fitness and health buff who exercises throughout the week.
And sometimes? 4 miles can KICK MY ASS.
But then there are those runs, when you are just flying.... and when you realize that you are working towards your long term health, your family, and your dreams, and it is all worth it. Not in an abusive relationship way--and if it is, you are doing it wrong--but in a stronger-little-by-little-every-day way.
Jenny says
Oh Julie! You're soooo right. Some weeks every other run is a challenge. But, I know that a great run usually follows a rough one. Perseverance!
Libby says
Julie - as you say, "It is an amazing feeling to not give up, even when the odds are stacked against you."
THAT is a quote worth keeping posted somewhere easily seen. It works for so many things in our lives.
Andrea says
It depends on the day- on Monday I had the worst heartburn and was the worst run ever! Yesterday I flew. But it makes me feel strong (and I can eat more!) so I love it.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I sooo needed to see this reminder of why I run! I signed up for the Disney marathon again yesterday after much debate. I finally realized that yes the training is hard, but it all somehow seems to be worth it on race day!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Running is certainly not easy for me and it doesn't come naturally to me. I have to work at it. It doesn't always turn out the way I'd hoped but I love it and that makes me work for it
Linda says
I would LOVE to run. I have asthma that's pretty much controlled. My hubby is a runner and is "trying" to train me to run. We walk/run every day. Think I'll ever get there?
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
Love this. Running doesn't come easy to me either. It's tough to lace back up after a bad run, but yet we keep doing it. I think it says a lot about someone's character. That drive to never give up and the drive to want to be better...great character traits to have!
Dan Steadman says
doing anything physical isn't easy ever...tougher still is the alarm going off at 5 and thinking 'i will just take a rest day today' done that too much this year...Asheville training starts Monday, so no more of that is neeeded
Mary Beth Jackson says
you are so right! Running isn't always easy but if it were would we love it so much????? love the tutu!
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
You got that right! I'm tapering right now for the half this weekend and my runs have felt terrible this week. It's crazy how our legs work and sometimes they feel great and sometimes not.