Tag Archives: goals

When “It” Hurts, Keep Running

Sometimes “It” hurts.

“It” can be anything. Life, work, relationships, school, writing, walking, talking, and even running. It doesn’t matter how long or how hard you’ve trained. Or how much you’ve prepared yourself for “It.” Sometimes, “It” just hurts.

I’ve been training since November for these races. I ran 8.2 miles on Saturday. Today, I tried go out and run 4, and could only run 2. My feet and my knees were killing me. Like, to the point where all I could focus on was the pain each time a foot hit the pavement. I kept trying to run through it, but it just hurt worse.

So, much to my dismay, I turned around, and I ran back home. I even had to walk part of the way. And I felt this deep sense of personal shame. This is what I said to myself:

“WTF, Molly? You ran 8 miles on Saturday and you can’t even do this? How are you, in 4 days, going to run TEN MILES?”

Then the other part of me said:

“Hey, sh*t happens, and tomorrow I’m going to wake up early. I hate waking up early, but I’m going to wake up early, I’m going to pop a couple of Aleve, and run. And then rest. And then go to work with a smile on my face. And work and do bits all day. Then, on Saturday, I’m going to get up at 5:30 in the morning, I’m going to put on my shoes, and I’m going to run 10 miles. My knees, my feet, my confidence, they’ll be fine.”

Because sometimes when “It” hurts [whatever "it" is] you just have to push through “it” and keep “running.” Because there is no better feeling in the world than crossing the finish line when you know how hard you’ve worked to get there.

Am I right?

Word.

Why I’m Running

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So, back in November, I wrote about how building a business is like training for a marathon. That’s when I started training. Before November, the longest consecutive, actual, RUN I had ever done was maybe 1.5 miles. Maybe 3 miles with a lot of walking in there.

Today, at 10:47AM I completed an 8.2 mile run. And it felt amazing. In hopes this doesn’t confuse you, I am NOT a runner, who is currently running.

Part of the gorgeous view on my run today

Why?

Well, a lot of reasons, really. But here’s my story…

My entire life the only sport I have ever really been good at is golf. I’ve played golf since I could walk pretty much, played competitively in late elementary school through high school and then stopped when I went to college, mainly because I was burnt out. Now I can just enjoy it. However, I’m not saying that golf doesn’t require any sort of athleticism, because it does. You try walking 18 holes of golf when its 100 degrees out carrying an 80+ pound bag on your back. Trust me, you’ll sweat. But golf never required running.

I did play softball for a while and was pretty good at it, but could never make the high school team. Why? Because I couldn’t run the mile. I wanted to, but I would pass out half way through.

Growing up I had reactive airway disease. It’s basically an exaggerated form of asthma that can be brought on by a lot of things… running especially. I also have flat feet and was pigeon toed for the first 14 years of my life. Boo! So, needless to say, running in orthotics that were trying to straighten my feet out was pretty difficult. Oh, And I have scoliosis (still do), so running aggravated my back (it seems to be helping it now!). I’m not trying to give you my entire medical history, I’m just putting all of this in context for you.

Well, with all those things combined, yours truly was never a runner. I went through college, running very, very little. I would do the elliptical at the gym, but that was it. After college, same thing.

I will tell you that in the three years I’ve been out of college, my life has changed dramatically.

And then November of 2009 came. I was unemployed, broke, living in a new state, not a lot of friends, and my personal relationships began to suffer. So, I needed to do something different.

My cousins (who live all over the country) and I were talking and we decided that we were going to run a half-marathon together as a family. This was something that I thought to myself, there is NO way that I’m going to be able to do this. Then I stepped back, looked at myself and said, no, F THAT. I can totally do this. I’ve always been able to do whatever I have set my mind to. I’m exactly like my mother, if I am determined enough, I can seriously do anything.

So, I found a training program and I started. I trained hard through November and December. Got REALLY sick and had to take two weeks off. Trained hard in January and the first part of February, tore six tendons in my foot, had to take two weeks off. Then had to self-motivate to get myself back up into training mode.

Three weeks ago I realized, holy crap, I’m signed up to run the Tarheel 10 Miler on April 10th. I kicked into high gear. Before this morning, my longest consecutive run (without stopping) was six miles. I did a short run yesterday and my knees were killing me. But I said, NO knees! I am going to run 8 miles today whether you like it or not.

So, early this morning, I got up, took some calcium and advil, drank some water, mapped my route, and started running. And it was actually amazing. There were a couple hills that wanted to kick my ass along the way, but I conquered them. I ran through a beautiful part of UNC campus and Chapel Hill and just admired the flowers on the trees. The breeze was blowing, the air was still in that morning cool, and Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” started playing from my playlist. Cliche, yes, but that song is awesome to run to.

All in all, it was hard, but even when I was finished, I probably could have kept going if I wanted to. I only stopped twice to get a drink of water (free water cup in Subway, FTW!), but then I kept right back running.

What does all this really mean? Right now, life is stressful. I’m working all the time, my feet hurt, I’m single, I’m broke, and I wrecked my car on Tuesday. But I feel great. When I cross the finish line next Saturday, April 10th, at the Tarheel 10 Miler, I might cry. Who knows? Then, on Sunday, May 2nd, I will run 13.1 miles in the New Jersey, Long Branch Half Marathon with my family. This is something I really never thought I could ever do. Hell, I used to get made fun of all the time as a kid for not being able to run the mile in gym class because I’d have to stop after a lap to take a few puffs from my inhaler.

I’m running these races because I can, and I never thought I could.

Although the last few months have been emotionally taxing, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve grown closer to some of my friends, I’ve made new ones, and I’m learning more about myself as a determined young woman.

As my mom always used to say, “Hey muffin, this, too, shall pass.” Thanks mom, always lookin’ out. These ones are for you.

Word.

A fresh start.

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As most of you know by now (and some of you don’t know) I am NOW living in Carrboro, NC – aka: the yolk inside the egg of Chapel Hill. I am no longer teaching high school and I moved out of Richmond to focus on my passions: comedy, writing, and new media. [If you are interested in some of the comedy work I'm doing, check out my comedy blog: http://www.mollyhastwothumbs.com.]

For the purposes of this blog, I’m going to strictly be talking about my writing and new media work.

Now that I am in Carrboro and I am getting a fresh start, I have refocused myself and I have set new goals. After a little over 3 months of applying for job after job, after job, after JOB, and hearing nothing I finally realized that I needed to step outside of my comfort zone and really work to expand my own business.

At such an early stage, it can be intimidating stepping out into the business world. I’ve been a freelancer for a little over two years, but only getting clients here and there to supplement extra income. The thought, even the PROSPECT, of working for MYSELF full-time has been such an intimidating idea that I’ve honestly been to afraid to really breach that realm and start the process of getting work. Honestly, I procrastinated. My innate fear of failure kept me putting it off. How many of you have been in that same place at some point? That place of knowing that you have the ability, the resources, and the know-how to get the job done or be successful, but because of a particular arena being so uncertain, you found yourself putting it off in fear of not meeting your goal? Well, that WAS me.

A few weeks ago, someone very close to me said something that was so simple, but completely changed my way of thinking, “I know you can do it.”

It sounds silly, but I had never had anyone express direct confidence in me that I could achieve not only personal goals, but also business goals. He gave me some great marketing, networking, and small-business books and resources — and I started reading.

I’ve now set myself up with a daily work schedule and routine. I’m contacting prospective clients. I’m following up. I’m networking. And ultimately, I’m learning. I’m learning every day about changes in my fields of expertise. I’m learning about business. I’m learning about organization. I’m learning about LIFE. I’m creating a vision and looking towards it with focus and a positive attitude.

Starting your own business can be tough. Transitioning from a part-time business owner to a full-time business owner is a daunting task, but with the right resources and enough support, it doesn’t seem so difficult.

I’m keeping myself motivated through milestones, checkpoints, and definitely rewards (Chipotle burrito, anyone?).

I’m confident that I can provide my clients with the services they need and a quality product. I am a hard worker and extremely driven. I know that this is the kind of arena that I can be successful in.

If you are “the master of your own business domain,” as I like to say, I would love to hear about your experiences. So, share them!

This quote popped up this morning in my e-mail and I found it’s timing to be nothing less than perfect: