Digging Deep

As I set out on a half-marathon training run the other day – the first since Covid and the onset of a lingering knee injury – I hesitated. For a split second I debated grabbing my air pods – in order to give me a boost during those few hours of running. Disclaimer: I have never – in all the 15 years I have been running somewhat seriously – run with music. It’s not that I am against people running with music – I think you need to grab inspiration where you can! It’s just that when I began running, it was difficult because I had a lot of injuries and I was told to pick another sport. I decided to ignore the naysayers and instead focus completely on how I was running and how my body was reacting, in order to make running work for me. So, I couldn’t really afford the distraction of listening to music if I wanted to make running work for me. It paid off because I have since run multiple marathons and half-marathons (and sometimes both in one weekend)!

But I digress…

I left the air pods at home. Instead, I focused on letting my mind drive the rhythm.

As I began to put one foot in front of the other, my mind was not being too kind.

I had doubtful thoughts like: Can I still do this? What if my knee buckles again? What if I can’t run anymore? I was definitely feeling a bit weary and needed to shake things up.

It was time to dig deep. 

Beyond the surface, below the comfort zone and behind the facade.

But this is not about me and my 21.1 km dig.

This is about those I know who are going through what can only be defined as an archeological dig. These are the ones who are navigating huge medical battles; the ones who are supporting their kids through the toughest of times; the ones who are squaring off with their demons; the ones who are facing insecurity about the future; the ones who are languishing professionally; the ones who are bravely protecting loved ones with mental illnesses despite the push back; the ones who are trying to forge their path and facing the unknown; the ones who are questioning their self-worth and their place in society; the ones who are grieving losses of epic proportions; the ones who are tired of fighting the good fight…

I am utterly amazed by the tour de force of the incredible humans around me. Not to mention the staying power of that strength. I am not only in awe, but also extremely humbled.

So, it wasn’t a drum beating out my pace the other day. Rather, I ran to the tune of many soulful stories. It was these stories that inspired my run and fueled me to keep going. Your stories were the beat to which I pounded the pavement.

Our stories are all personal and different, but there is a common thread. We all, at times, must roll up our sleeves, push past the pain and find some sense of meaning and inspiration in order to keep going.

While we can’t necessarily always put ourselves in another person’s shoes, we can recognize their pain, their struggles and their capacity to overcome. If we let it all sink in, we may, just maybe, find some inspiration to get over life’s next hurdle.

Whatever you are going through, know you are not alone.

We are all waging wars.

We all stumble.

We pivot.

We all regroup.

We are all winning battles.

And for those whose stories got me through my latest 21.1 km: remember – you have a friend, with a shovel and she is ready to jump in the trenches with you.

Keep digging my friends, as always, with Grit&Grace.