For me running is something that brings me joy! It adds life to my days! It helps me to see where my limits are and then question them. It allows me to learn so many lessons about myself and about life in general. I’ve spent a lot of time running alone in the last few months, I spent some time thinking of chasing PR’s in shorter distances that I don’t often train for (mile and 5k), and I have also tried to put a bigger focus on strength training. As things have continued I have had to dig deep and find some personal goals that I could get excited about. I had planned to run the Boston Marathon in April and then figured I would chase a marathon PR in the fall. These goals have both been put aside for this year. One of the things that has been exciting for me is the opportunity to say yes to things I would normally have to say no to. I had much more flexibility with my running because I am not tied to a training plan. This opened my eyes to new goals that I have been putting off. I am going to run a 50 miler, along with a few other exciting goals. These goals stretch me and feel just a bit out of my comfort zone, but they are also so thrilling for me. I am finding so much joy and excitement at the possibility of accomplishing them.

Take this different year we’ve been given and use it in ways that you would never have imagined. Maybe you are lucky to have a few races to run. Enjoy them and recognize what an amazing gift it is to race! If you don’t have any races, find something about running that brings you real joy and satisfaction. Maybe it is chasing a PR in a distance you don’t often work on. It may be increasing your strength. It also might be a large adventure run through the mountains near your home.  Whatever it is, make sure that it excites you and maybe even scares you a little, and DO IT anyway!