I know that it has been a while since I have wrote anything in a few weeks but it has been kinda rough. I have been going strong with my running streak and completed the month of January with 81.52 miles. I am extremely proud of that for a couple reasons. One I ran at least a mile everyday for the entire month and two I honestly wasn't sure if my feet would hold up to it. Much to my surprise they have and I have been running for 45 days straight. This past week is where my running streak has helped me through a difficult time.
On February 4, my sweet Grandma went home to be with the Lord. It was unexpected to say the least and rough for everyone. I was able to push through the sadness and be strong when I needed to be. Something I have only learned through running. Last week I ran not only to log miles but to grieve. To reflect on all my memories that I have made with my Grandma and to be honest, I never understood how running could to do that until now.
The peace that I felt when I was running was unbelievably calm. At first it was a different feeling but once I adjusted to it, it made the grieving easier. Simply because that is exactly what I was needing at the time. Running has not only become a form of exercise to me but a way of life. I didn't realize how much I needed it until that was the only way that I knew I grieve. In my own way and my own time.
Sure I had family and friends that were there for me and I greatly appreciate every single one of them. Unless you are a runner, you don't understand the power that a single run can make. Something I kept telling myself was that running won't fix it but it will make it bearable. This sure was true for me.
My next half marathon that I am training for is on April 5, the day before my Grandma's birthday. So I have decided to make a shirt with her picture on it and run it in her memory. She was always asking how my running was going so this run is for you Grandma. I love you and you are greatly missed.
