Coming out of my funk

I've been in a bit of a funk the past couple of weeks. I only ran twice last week, and bugged out Monday and Tuesday of this week. But I'm coming out of my funk and had a good run this morning. There are many reasons and excuses, but the bottom line is that I'm feeling better and hope to continue to get yet more peppy. I haven't had a lot to say in blogs because my thoughts haven't been all that positive. My marathon thoughts are fine, I believe I can do this although I expect to hurt. I've been dealing with hormone issues (guys, don't roll your eyes too much, they'll get stuck). I've felt like I'm at the end of my rope with all that stuff, but yesterday was a turning point. I know this discussion is very general, but I don't want to bore anyone with the pesky details. Suffice it to say, I'm still working on getting my hormone levels adjusted so I don't feel crappy all the time (it's a shame you don't realize how bad you feel until you feel really, really bad), but feel that I'm on the right path. Hopefully by next week this time, I'll be jumping up and down with joy.

Several of you have blogged about your reasons for doing this marathon, the people to whom you'll dedicate miles, etc. Your thoughts have brought me to tears. This is a very strong, supportive group, and I'm proud to be a part of it. As for my why, it's me. There are many reasons for this, but again I'll be general. I've spent most of my life living up to the expectations of others. Very few things in my life, very few choices in my life have I made for me. Just me. This is the most recent big one. For me personally, I'm not raising money for anything, not dedicating my run to anyone except me, and my ability and desire to be me. My own person. I thank God for the ability to do this, and for the clarity that I need to do this. The training, even without the marathon completion, has helped me so much to try to break from expectations, other than mine and God's. Completing the marathon will be a huge step for me, sticking with something that was just mine to do, not because anyone thought I should, and even against the wishes of others. I have braved the negative comments like all of you have, and have stood up to close friends and family who thought this was nuts. Maybe it is, but if I want to be nuts, then I'll just be nuts. So there.

Here's to all of you -- sticking with this program through illness, injury, family and work commitments, naysayers, all to be a better you. Whether you run this marathon or another one in the future, never forget that you've done something by simply sticking with this training program that most people can't do in life. Stick with something, see it through, no one to do it for you, can't fake it or talk your way through it, just you and one foot in front of the other. What a life lesson!!