Reflection

I remember...

the circulatory itching in my legs that burned worse than muscle soreness

the labored breathing and necessity of keeping my inhaler with me during all attempted runs

saying that running 1/2 mile was harder than delivering a baby without an epidural

3 friends who agreed to join me at my first 5k

Running my first 10k on a Thanksgiving morning

Wondering if my family would meet me at a finish line of a race

My first 10 mile run during my vacation on an Island off the Atlantic Coast

3 friends, one of whom I had only met online, meeting me the morning of my first half marathon... 2 ran the 5k, one completed her 12 half marathons in a year challenge

Seeing my family at mile 9 during my first half marathon in June

Crossing that finish line in under 3 hours... MY pace, injury free

The elation of meeting that goal, pushing myself to follow through and achieving it.

Wondering if I really did it, getting out of the groove as the months passed

Starting over yesterday
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Here's to Run the Year 2017... no matter what the challenge looks like for you...

whether you are doing the whole 2,017 miles, running, walking, a combo, or splitting up the miles with a team.

This is your journey. Nobody else can take the steps for you.

(originally written in the Run the Year 2017 Facebook group)