Some people think I'm strange. Actually, I've always been a little different, skirting on the outside of groups. Never an outcast but never quite part of the crowd. At this point in my life I am so totally okay with that because well, I am different and I am learning to love it. As I've grown along this fitness journey I have had to be different than those formerly familiar with me. I've had to make choices that others probably wouldn't make so that makes them look at you as different, not bad just different.
Last week I was on vacation in Savannah, GA visiting my family and just bumming around town. Before packing my bags I mapped out a 10-mile route around my family's neighborhood so that my training (for the St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon on Apr 28th and the 13.1 Chicago on June 9th) would not be derailed. My stepdad looked at me with his head cocked to the side, as if he was making sure it was me he was talking to. Along the route the only other runners I encountered were soldiers (which of course fed my ego!), everyone else was walking or riding bikes. I wasn't even done with mile one when I realized that I had NEVER run anywhere in Savannah. Never ran to catch a CAT (haha, only folks from SAV will get that), never jogged around the lake (I walked), never ran up my street. I actually came back from vacation five pounds lighter. Yeah, I'm different.
Today, I have even more proof that I'm different--inside and out. I put on a pair of size 10 shorts (real shorts) and a tank top that used to scream when I put it on. I stared at myself in the mirror for a couple of minutes because I've never seen this person. I've never visualized myself any smaller than a size 14 because it never seemed possible. As I continue my training for the two upcoming half marathons, I am a little calmer than last year. Not because I'm resting on my laurels but because I have a deep seated assurance that I am fierce and will not fail. Have you ever watched a tiger run on those animal kingdom or Discovery Channel shows? They look so determined, so sure footed, so powerful. Even when they aren't moving at full speed they remember that they are powerful. I suppose that is really what is different for me. No matter what obstacle, no matter what endeavor--running, softball, flag football, child rearing, coaching--I know that I am powerful. Growl, baby!
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