Lace up the shoes. Turn up the music. Step outside. One foot in front of another…Let’s RUN.

There is a freedom, fear, uncertainty, and magic about stepping out of your home, turning left (or right) and embarking into the unknown path ahead…and just being with you, yourself and the music that fills the air…

Running has never been easy for me. Sure, there are days when I feel like wonder woman and could run for miles and miles…and there are more days than not where I wonder why it is so damn difficult to get going. I think that might be why I am continually drawn to it…it has NEVER been easy. It is a challenge. It is something that I have had to work hard at accomplishing.

Running continues to teach me a myriad of lessons, instills reminders, and brings adventure of new spaces that only lacing up your shoes provides.

My love for running has evolved like my love for myself. At first it was out of necessity. I knew it was good for me to be healthy, to breath in fresh air, and to get in my cardio. Running is one of my outlets. Running is a space where I can be me, not apologize for who I am, not focus on what I am not, and pushes me to continue to become better.

Running teaches me that #anythingispossible. When I was a kid I was always the heavier kid, the one who didn’t have the brand new ‘stuff,’ who was the choir nerd (I LOVED choir), struggled with bullying and never felt ‘good enough.’ I started running in college. Running taught me what my physical body is capable of, what the ‘mental game’ truly means, and that crossing that damn finish line is a feeling only you get to experience if you put in the effort and commit to the very end. Put your mind to it, set a goal, write it down…whatever you need to do…the only thing stopping you…is YOU. #anythingispossible

Running continues to teach me to have grit and humility. Just when you might have it figured out, life will test you. Have grit. And when everything is going well, have humility…and when things aren’t going well have humility…always. No matter what, you can always be better version of yourself.

Running reminds me to have gratitude. For all I have. For the gift of being able to wake up and be where I am. Gratitude for simply being able to have the choice to run…and run ‘wherever I want…’ Life is short. I have had moments and chapters where I have not been able to run, thought I might never be able to ever again, and that I might not make it to tomorrow…So when I can run…I am filled with gratitude. And I always end a run with a deep breath and “thank you God.”

Running reminds me how important the simple is. How important the little moments are in life. We tend to get distracted with the ‘shiny objects’ and wanting the next best thing, or what is ‘more beautiful’ or ‘might be better…’ Yet…what really makes you truly tick…are smallest of actions that have the biggest impact. It is the small acts that matter.

Running reminds me that there is always a smile to be found, an adventure to be had, something new to discover and learn, and it isn’t about how fast or slow you go…it is about remembering to enjoy the journey, breathing in the air around you, and reminding yourself how much of a gift this life we have been given truly is.

John Frusciante once said, “There is a way to hold onto something that doesn’t exist yet. That’s what takes place when a song is written: You see something that isn’t there. Then you use your instrument to find it.”

Running reminds me that my hopes, dreams, goals…all that doesn’t exist but I can feel, taste and “see” will happen. Write it down. Breathe it in. Lace up the shoes…and go out, explore, and run…until you find it…and it finds you. #nevergiveup #havehope

So…what do you say…? I say…Let’s RUN.