13 years ago I ran my 1st half marathon. 2 hours. 19 minutes. 12 seconds. Two. Nineteen. Twelve. The time is cemented in my brain. I've run many more since, but have never beat that time.
Nearly a year Olive and I moved to Chicago. I had no idea how hard that would actually be. But as a team, Olive and I have faced every challenge with joy and gratitude and have come out smarter, stronger and happier every single time.
For years I thought, ‘I will never beat my first half marathon time.’ I thought I was at my best “back then” and while I could still finish them- I was never going to do better than two hours, nineteen minutes, twelves seconds. And yesterday, I found out I was wrong about that, too.
In the last year Olive and I have embraced living in the city. We've made friends who have introduced us to new things and helped us find the adventure and sunshine in our own back yard. We have, despite living in a fast-paced city, learned the art of slowing down and basking in the every day moments.
Yesterday, as I ran each mile I thought about all the things the last year has brought. The gifts, the challenges, the surprises... and my god, the JOY.
The miles were melting away. 1...3....5... 9. And every time I started to hurt or feel the exhaustion I reminded myself that so far I have gotten through 100% of bad days. Whatever life has hit me with... US with... not only did we make it through, but we grew!
Yesterday, as I ran, I didn't think about the failures or the disappointments or where I SHOULD be in life right now. I thought about how far Olive and I have come together and the tribe of people who ferociously love us. And every time one of those negative thoughts or fears of the future creeped in I remembered that there was one very special little girl waiting for me at the finish line, cheering me on.
Running that half marathon yesterday, I decided that the best didn't have to be behind me. The best could be today. And I WOULD do MY best today. Because I have a little Snoedel who is very proud of me and because of her, I can be proud of me, too.
Yesterday, I ran my best half marathon ever. Two hours. Eight minutes. Ten seconds. 2.08.10.
Proving to myself that any day really can be better than the days before.