Well, we did the Turkey Trot this morning. And I actually ran the whole thing. Near the end, I had to slow down in order to encourage my running mate who had joined me just before the first mile marker. She is not a runner and this was her first run. She had seen me from behind and thought I was going the right speed, so had joined me. She had encouraged me verbally as she got by my side. And then she saw that I was massive and pregnant and her encouragements shifted to a bit more astounded yet still encouraging.
I ended up talking with her the rest of the race. And I hardly ever talk while running. I think it helped to distract me from my own physical desire to stop and just be done. I hadn’t exercised or run at all, not even a few meters, since May. So, this was a big deal to be just suddenly running, and to be running a 5k, and to be doing it all seven+ months pregnant.
Anyway, her presence helped me a lot, and so I didn’t want to abandon her right near the end. She was struggling big time on the last half mile, so I slowed up a bit, but always let running and made her keep up with me. I was borderline about to put my arm behind her and push her a few times, she was getting in her head and giving up, so close to the end. “I can’t do it.” Tell yourself that, and you’ll always be right. “I don’t want to do it,” or “I hate this, but I’m doing it anyway,” however, work quite differently on the brain. Like the girl in Miracle on 34th Street, “I believe. I believe… It’s stilly, but I believe…” We can acknowledge that we lack full conviction or that we believe it to be absurd, but we must allow ourselves to trust that it is still possible to accomplish the goal at hand.
So, yeah, I took a couple minutes or so longer than I had needed, but it felt good to stay with the girl and support her, especially since she had, likely unknowingly, immensely helped me for a good chunk of the course.
Anyway, here we have it:
Also, I may have eaten some bad tamales, as I have felt terribly sick to my stomach and chest ever since having them earlier for a late lunch. It has been miserable, and I still feel utterly dreadful.
God, thank you for this day and its blessings. Help me to heal well and quickly from the exercise and the food today. Make me and the baby and my husband well, please, and keep us safe. Make my family well and safe always, please. Thank you for your love. Help us always to live your love in our lives and be our best selves, the people you call us to be. In your name, I pray. Amen.
Post-a-day 2024
hannah ananas 