Finding Inspiration in Tragedy {Blogtember Challenge}

As you all know, today is the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. It is a day that will forever be ingrained in my brain. While I didn't realize the magnitude at the time, I still took something from that day. Continue reading to find out more... 

September 11th Prompt: How do you stay inspired? Who inspires you the most?

Way back in September of 2001, I was just a teeny-tiny 8th grader. As I sat in my third period social studies classroom, I found out about the terrorist attack. I didn't understand everything at that moment, but my teacher/coach was crying as he turned the TV on and told us we were going to watch that instead of continue with our lesson. He told us that THAT VERY MOMENT would be with us forever, and that the magnitude of that day would haunt America.

That day was a blur. I remember other students not caring at all about what was going on. I remember some even LAUGHING as they saw the plane take down the second tower. I don't judge them or blame them - none of us were old enough to "get it". None of us had ever experienced anything like that before.

I remember my football game being canceled (yes, I played football on the boys' team). I was angry about that, but I knew the situation in our country was greater than one little football game of mine. I remember everything about that day - even that my family went out for Chinese that night for dinner.

As I continued to hear about the 9/11 attacks on the news and see people being interviewed, I started to really understand it. REAL PEOPLE had been killed. They had left behind mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. Friends. Teachers. Neighbors. Coaches. People lost their LIVES. And these people were not very different from the people I knew. They were working people with families - just like my parents. I couldn't imagine at that time losing a parent. I have since (and my younger brother was in 8th grade at the time - something I can't even comprehend).

But this post is supposed to be about inspiration, not about the events that unfolded on that awful day. Inspiration is a weird thing. It's a GOOD thing to have, but sometimes I feel guilty for being inspired by tragic events. 9/11 left an impact on me in a strange way. I am fascinated by it in the same way that I am by the Holocaust. I know that both events (and so many more in our history) have been heinous and uncalled for. But I also know that people learn from mistakes. Not always - and certainly not everyone. But some do. That's why I feel inspired by these horrendous events. I feel inspired to write about them, share about them, and let people know what happened. People's stories deserve to be told. No one wanted to die that day and leave everyone behind. They didn't, but they had to. And that's not fair.

I know I don't want to waste any talent that was given to me because I am fully aware that I could lose it at any time. I genuinely feel for the people who paid the ultimate price that day because they never got to be with their families again. They never got to work on another project again. They never got to see the outside again. And because of these people sacrificing what they did, I am a little stronger. I know that in this day and age, terrorism is real. There's always a possibility. But I want to live my life how I want to live it and not be scared. Rather, I try to channel those events into inspiration instead of fear.

I'm sorry if none of this made sense and just sounded like a giant ramble of thoughts coming together. It was tough to piece together, and I'm still not sure I did it justice.

Marathon Training Update

Most of you already know that I am running a marathon in April. If you want to know details, check out this post. 

So far, training is going pretty well. I have stayed injury-free, thank goodness (*knock on wood*). I have been building my endurance on my longer runs and testing my speed on my shorter runs.

So far, the most I have run this time around is five and a half miles. That changes this weekend, though, when I run seven. Let me tell you how amazing I felt after my four mile run on Tuesday... until I realized I needed to add another 22 miles to it! WHOA! But I know I'll running 13, 18, 22, and then 26 miles before I know it, and nothing will give me greater satisfaction.

I am (for the most part) following Hal Higdon's Novice Marathon Training Program, but I am making a few alterations in mileage. I don't want my longest run before the race to be 20 miles, so that's why I'm tweaking it a bit. 

GORGEOUS path to run on during winter break in Oregon!

I was SO happy to finally be able to run with my friend Michelle! She used to make fun of me for running, and now look at her go! :) 

Yes, I have three pairs of Asics I'm training in... I plan on wearing the ones on the right for the marathon! :) 

I've been pinning to a board on Pinterest that I created called "Marathon Training". I'm using it for motivation. So far, I've been okay on my own, but I know days will come when I am exhausted, busy, etc., and I will need that extra push... so the quotes I have on my board are there to help inspire me. If you're on a training plan or just need a little motivation, feel free to follow my board by clicking here.

Each day when Lizzie and I make more plans for marathon weekend, it feels more and more real. THAT TERRIFIES ME TO MY CORE. However, it also invigorates me. I can't wait to prove to my college self that I CAN keep running and that I CAN achieve my dreams!

For some running inspiration, check out my "Why I Run" post from last year!

Why I Run

Running takes me back. When I was a kid, I used to run laps around the playground for fun during  recess. I would run with my dad some afternoons. I would run, run, run for no apparent reason. It wasn't my sport. It wasn't my thing. I just did it to keep up with my friends in the neighborhood, who were older than me, and to keep out of reach from my younger brother, who would chase me around with a baseball bat. Seriously. (But don't worry -- we're cool now).

I grew up as an athlete. I danced tap, jazz, and ballet. I competed in power tumbling (acrobats) for MANY years (and loved it). I played soccer. I played basketball. Heck, I even played football (amazing experience, by the way). When I was 13, I was healing from a torn MCL (left knee) from acrobats. I didn't know what to do with myself. I decided to be crazy and to sign up for cross country as a brand new seventh grader (the first year school sports were offered at my middle school). (I know what you're thinking -- why would she sign up to run long distances with a torn MCL? You've got me, but hey, I healed, and I'm still running, nearly 13 years later). 

I ran cross country and track all the way from 7th grade through 12th grade. I pushed myself in ways I had never imagined. I made friends I wouldn't have otherwise. My teammates became a second family to me. I had some amazing coaches who guided me through perseverance. I learned so much about myself while testing my limits running. I still continue to develop in my mind. My legs are not in control; my heart is. 

You know what they say:

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life. You get out of it what you put into it."

I'm a firm believer in that statement, and running long distances has trained my mind to think that way.

I'm not fast. I never won any races (other than relays, and I credit my teammates for that). I will never break any records (other than my own). I don't run for the glory; if I did, I would never see it. I run because it EMPOWERS ME. 

WHY I RUN

·      I can

·      Runner’s High

·      It challenges me

·      It clears my mind

·      It relieves my stress

·      To prevent heart disease

·      It is cheaper than therapy

·      Someday I won’t be able to

·      For all the people who cannot

·      It makes me feel good about myself

There are so many good reasons to run. Every runner has different reasons, but they are all valid. Running may not be the most fun way to exercise all the time, but I have NEVER once regretted a run I have gone on. Even if I'm slow, I'm still faster than the people on the couch. I'm still better off than those who choose to sit around. I still feel better about myself than those who aren't tough enough to work through their issues. 

I have run in numerous races. I have over 50 5Ks under my belt. Some of those were high school races, and others are fun runs, like the Color Run, the Dirty Dash, and the Glow Run. I ran the Go! St. Louis Half Marathon in 2008, and then I let running taper off in my life. I knew I missed it. I ached for it. My body WANTED to run, but my mind told me: "NO! You aren't strong enough for that anymore. You can't handle it."

Recently, I picked it up again. Running is good for the soul. I am challenging myself in ways I never have before. I KNOW that I am capable of doing whatever I set my mind to. My legs aren't going to give out. My heart will keep on beating. It's my mind that likes to play tricks on me... but this time, I am out to get that brain of mine. I WILL conquer it. I WILL run a half marathon in Denver at the end of July. I will be a fresh 26 year old woman for that race, and I WILL dominate it, even if that only means running the entire thing without walking. I can, and I WILL. 

Dan and I will be running in the Dog Days Half Marathon in Westminster, Colorado (near Denver) on July 27th, 2013. We are both following the Hal Higdon Half Marathon Training Plan, and so far, it's going well. We are training separately, of course, but it will be nice to run the 13.1 miles together. I can't wait! The proceeds from this half marathon will be going to the Colorado Canine Rescue, which makes this race even sweeter. I'm such a sucker for animals. 

Also, I may be getting in over my head, but like I said, I think I am capable of ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO... which is why I am seriously contemplating running a full marathon next year. I have always wanted to. I know I want to do it before I have kids one day. I also think it would be the perfect pre-wedding training plan. My good friend Lizzie (at Sweet Kansas Girl) wants to run one as well, so we decided that we should run our first one together. That way, we can hold each other accountable and be there for moral support! I want to do a marathon at lower altitude than Colorado has to offer, though, and I've also always wanted to travel for a race. Since Dan and I are paying for our wedding next May, I didn't want to spend a ton of money... so I found the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, which is held on April 27th, 2014, just 33 days before my wedding. I think it sounds absolutely perfect, and I am determined. My farthest distance to date is 13.1 miles, but I will not be saying that by this time next year. 

I often turn to quotes for motivation when I'm feeling down before a long run. These are some of my favorites: 

Do YOU run? If so, WHY do you choose to run? If not, what is your preferred exercise?