“I DID IT!!!”
After being able to run and complete 2 rounds within 30 minutes from Street 8 to Street 13 of Discovery Gardens, I almost shouted these three words. (But of course, I did not!) Yes, I know…30 minutes worth of running is for amateur but hey that’s already a big achievement for me. Seriously! 🙂
A couple of days ago, my auntie gave me a challenge and I should be able to fulfil it in a span of one month. Considering that the outcome will benefit me more than anyone else, I gladly went for it. Challenge accepted! Plus, it would be a really great distraction for me – a much needed one. (For what? I’ll write about it on a later post) 😉 So the challenge includes running everyday for at least 30 minutes. At first I felt obligated but after Day 1, I started loving it. I was talking to Joel, a friend of mine/dedicated runner himself while writing this post and he was so spot on saying that this could be my “Road to Version 2.0”. He’s totally right – running can be a great metaphor for life. (I know… here I go again with my metaphors!) But isn’t it true? I have been so excited to write about this since Day 4. Take a breath, do some stretching and look up at the afternoon sky. As you take those first few strides, think about life because that’s what I do. 🙂
Here are 4 Lessons in Life I Realized While Running
It’s okay to take it slow.
I started to like running only after I came to Dubai. It was most probably because I enjoyed my first few running sessions with my auntie at the beautiful park in Green Community. I love how you can see the sunset and hear the birds chirping while you run in this park. Every time I visit her during the weekend, running here is something I couldn’t miss. They say I run fast (that’s why I easily get tired). I’m not a professional runner (far from being one) but I started loving it now. However, I admit that I might be doing it incorrectly at times. I’m too focused on “just” being able to get it done. I only pay attention to the distance. All that used to matter was that I was able to run around the whole Green Community Park – the faster, the better.
Oh, I was wrong. One night, I decided to just run and enjoy it. I did it at a relaxing pace and did not force myself. I enjoyed every minute of it – listened to each song in my playlist and felt the humid air in my face as I took each stride. Before I knew it, I was already able to run around the whole park! I checked my timer and it just took me 15 minutes. How ironic!
Lesson: Sometimes, it’s not about how fast you get there. Patience, my dear. Nowadays, everything seems to move in a fast-forward motion. We don’t enjoy the whole process anymore because we’re so fond of short-cuts. When we rush things and focus more on how fast we get there – the more we feel exhausted, the more we feel worn out and tired. We’re supposed to be enjoying the journey but since we’re too caught up in either failing or succeeding – we tend to miss the view, the lessons learned, the sunset, the mix of emotions and sometimes, even the significant people we encounter along the way. Allow me to quote, “it’s all about the journey not the destination.” (Bow!) 🙂
Once in awhile, it will hurt. Once in a while, you will get injured.
“I almost die!” That’s my favorite line whenever someone asked me how was my run for the day. I might be overreacting but please understand I’m no veteran to this yet. 🙂 It’s definitely not easy! When I first challenged myself to do a continuous 15-minute run, I almost die! (See, that’s my favorite expression) I was literally out of breath! My legs felt numb and my knees were trembling. I think I even considered sitting in the sidewalk because I was tired as hell.“Why am I doing this again?!?”, I asked myself. Haha 🙂 But you know what? It felt so damn good. With all the sweat falling down my face and blood rushing through my whole body – I felt so liberated. (Yes, that’s the adjective I want to use) It makes me feel happy and proud of myself whenever I’m able to beat my own record. From 15 minutes to 20 minutes then 30 minutes. Hey, I can’t even run for a good 5 minutes before! Don’t judge! 😉 My motivation? I know that those mornings when I can barely stand because my legs and whole body hurt (soooooo much) will soon be worth it. A friend told me, “You’re on your way to becoming better, stronger and…. hotter?” Thank God for supportive friends! 🙂
Lesson: Life’s a bitch. Yes it is. Sometimes, it’s a good bitch. Sometimes, it’s really bad! We get hurt, we feel pain, we disappoint others and they disappoint us. But remember how the toughest times in our lives make us want to become better and stronger? We mature as we overcome the simple trials of our everyday lives. We learn the proper approach. Eventually, we become more confident to get out of our comfort zone and push ourselves to the limit. Whenever we’re able to get through one big problem in life (I mean, really big and serious), we get this feeling that there’s nothing that we can overcome anymore. Sure, there will be times you just want to quit and ask yourself why you’re even doing it. At the end of the day, you realize that after the pain’s gone and you’ve recovered – you feel proud of the person you have become.
Being lost is part of the route you have to take.
It’s funny because when I first told a friend that I’m starting this whole running thing, she instantly asked me the magic question, “Are you broken-hearted?” (Okaaay… I won’t deny I’ve been broken-hearted a couple of times so my friends know my coping strategies by now and yes that includes something like running) Haha 🙂 As I said, more on that at a later post maybe. 😉
During Day 4, I decided to change my route. Normally, I would run the whole stretch of pavement from Street 8 to Street 13 of Discovery Gardens. I love that route near the highway. For some reason, I attempted trying a different route. I thought of running around several blocks within the area. Needless to say, I got lost. I wish I could show you how our neighborhood in Discovery Gardens looks like because you can really get lost in here! It’s like going round and round a maze and besides all the buildings look exactly the same. In the end, I was able to find my way to my usual route and started running again. After completing my lapse for the night, I headed home. I was enjoying my playlist too much that I hardly notice I entered the wrong building! (I told you the buildings around our area are identical!) So I entered the wrong building, went up the 1st floor and found myself standing in front of the wrong door! Good thing, no one had seen me – so much for attempting to change my usual running route. I may have been lost a couple of times that night but hey, it was still a good run.
Lesson: Tell me one person who hasn’t been lost in his/her life ever? Lost in love, lost in career
or lost in life in general. We all have our share of making a decision to take a risk and try a different route. Some do it for the thrill, some for the hope of a better outcome. There’s no guarantee that it will work out fine but at least you tried – at least you experienced it right? I’ve hesitated twice in taking that different route. I guess that’s normal. There will be a lot of “going back and forth” and “moving backward and forward” until you find your way again. (I can totally relate to this!) If you’ll think about it, being lost gives you the opportunity to find yourself. It’s tempting to just stay where your comfort zone is, to just say yes to everyone and everything and take the easy way out even if you know that you are capable of so much more. Listen.You may do stupid decisions, do crazy things and look silly while you’re lost in whatever maze you’re in right now – don’t worry, you’ll find your way back to that straight highway and the right door will open for you. Just don’t give up. Not yet.
Run for yourself not for anyone else.
I hesitated trying running before for two reasons:
1.) It’s an outdoor physical activity. (I’m more of an indoor kind of girl)
2.) Because of #1, I might look silly doing it compared to the fast runners I might bump into along the way. (I might be too slow for them!)
Guess what? Not anymore! Honestly, one of the lessons in life Dubai (and running) has taught me is that I got to do things for myself. I have control over myself. It’s all about me – I determine the songs I include in my playlist, I decide if I would take it slow or fast today, I lead my own way. No one else matters. One of my favorite songs to listen to while running is “Cheerleader by OMI”. The lyrics go like: “I think I found myself a cheerleader. She is always right there when I need here.” For some reason, listening to this song lifts up my mood. After all, I’m my own cheerleader.
I have a confession to make. At first, I decided to start running because of someone else (aside from my auntie) 😉 This person came as a lesson in my life and made me want to become the better version of myself. But as I write this post, I realized I should not do it for anyone else but myself. Running is my new addiction. I look forward to doing it now. Can you believe that? I’m not doing this because I want to impress other people – I’m doing this because I feel happy doing it… That’s all that matters.
Lesson: Start making your own happiness a priority. Stop being a people-pleaser. Stop putting on hold the things that you’ve always wanted to do for yourself because of what others might say or think about you. The only person who’s stopping you from being the best that you can be is yourself. Sometimes, we let our insecurities, fears, and doubts get in the way. Stop it. Seriously. You know, you’re pretty amazing! It’s not too late. Do it for yourself. Okay?
I’m not an expert when it comes to life (Oh definitely not! If you only knew..) and I’m far from being a professional runner. I’m just someone ordinary who believes (and can attest) that life lessons are everywhere (even during a 30-minute run). I guess, you just have to know how to recognize them when you see them. I just started so there’s definitely a lot more “light bulb” moments to come. For now, let me put on my running shoes and turn the volume up on my playlist. It’s almost 7PM. Let’s do this! 😉
Running in Black Heels 