Every journey begins with a single step.

Two years ago I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without feeling exhausted and out of breath.  A year ago,  it was a challenge to run more than two miles without stopping to take a break. Six months ago, I never imagined that four miles would be my easy run.  Today I ran ten miles.   

To some that is a small number.  To others, it is astronomical.  For me it is an enormous milestone.   Was today easy?  No.  Was it fun?  Part of it was, part of it hurt and challenged every ounce of my will power. It also reminded me how far I've come.  How every step in my journey has led me to this point and beyond.

It started as a standard run. . .easy pace for the first four miles; slow down to hydrate every two miles (because I haven't yet learned how to drink and run without choking). When I hit mile six I was laughing because I only had four miles left.  Four miles was yesterday's run!  That's nothing; I knew I had it. The last two miles challenged my body and my mind. My legs were tired.  I could feel my brain kicking in with the self-defeat talk.   I refused to quit, refused to give in to the pain and exhaustion.  I haven't quit on anything so far, why start now?

When the Garmin finally beeped that I'd hit mile 10, I slowed down to a walk and hit stop on the timer.  I looked at the watch and immediately realized what I'd accomplished.  Pride and gratitude hit me like a ton of bricks and I started to cry.  I cried for the me of two years ago, the one that struggled and fought to become the me of today.  I cried for the ability God gave me to run, for the sheer gift of legs that carry me from one place to another (sometimes at a pretty decent pace), for the people that believe in me and encourage me (because I could never have gotten this far without my support system). 

I couldn't be more grateful that I never gave up. . .on running or my journey in general.  Running is a great metaphor for life.  Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it hurts.  There are hills and valleys, personal bests, and challenging days.  The point is, keep putting one foot in front of the other; the finish line is ahead!  Don't give up on your goals just because you don't see results immediately.  I didn't see results for a few weeks after I started working out and eating right.  And I didn't see results with running until I really put 100% effort into it. 

Give your goals your all.  Find your motivation and run with it.  Your motivation lies within, by the way.  Only YOU can determine what you're working towards and why.  Mine lies in finally getting a first in a 5K and finishing a half-marathon with a smile on my face.  

The key is to keep the goal in mind.  As long as there's a goal there is a journey.