We're all just walking each other home...

My big fitness goal for 2013 was to run my first half marathon.  Mission accomplished: September 2013.  The photo to the left reminds me of how far I've come.  I am - but I'm NOT - the same person I was back then. A lot of things have changed. A lot of things *I* changed.  Firstly because I was unhappy with how I looked and felt.  Lately it's been about further pushing, testing and stretching my limits.  In between has been littered with trial and error, emotional ups and downs, learning experiences, injuries, a pregnancy, successes, triumphs and learning experiences galore.

When I first stepped on my treadmill with my Couch to 5K app back in February 2010, I had no idea - none whatsoever - that I would be embarking on not only a physical journey, but also a mental, emotional and spiritual one all at the same time.  Nothing could have prepared me for that, but I embrace it fully now, as I continue to set bigger and wilder goals for myself.

My big fitness goal for 2014, in that case, has to be just big enough to intimidate the crap out of me, and that it does. Before I was able to over-think it and talk myself out of it, I took advantage of the $20 discount I received for registering for my FIRST FULL MARATHON on New Year's Day, January 1, 2014.  The Veterans Marathon in Columbia City, Indiana. Now, the race itself isn't until November 9, 2014, but it's just one of those things... something I've never done before and so on the face of it, it appears scary and intimidating. But, broken down in to day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month training goals, and only looking a shorter distance down the road at any one time --- just like I did with my half marathon training once I fully committed --- I *know* I will be able to run 26.2 miles, in honor of America's veterans.

In 2014, I will be sharing my journey to the marathon, as I have done throughout my fitness journey... except this time, I aim to share not only all the ups, but also the downs and the in-betweens.  In 2014 I'm determined to break the perfectionism habit, one small step at a time, by sharing my not-so-great moments, right alongside my greatest accomplishments.  This helps me (and hopefully you too) remember that we are all just human and all on our own unique journeys..... I'm allowing myself to be more vulnerable.... no self judgment, no more need to be "perfect" (whatever that is anyhow)... just companionship..... camaraderie... no competition.

"We're all just walking each other home." ~ Ram Dass

Stay tuned...... MUCH more writing planned for this year...

And, in the meantime, leave a comment to let me know what you aim to achieve in 2014.

Chandra

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