As my legs swing past the other, hands swaying side to side with my breath matching my footsteps, I still remember when a mile felt like ten miles years ago.
It’s been seven years and my relationship with running is nothing like sweet, or even romantic. To encapsulate my myriad of emotions towards it, let’s go to the word — transformational.
Running has taught me a lot in life and still continues to shape me to this day.
I consider it as one of my natural therapy when my thoughts become too heavy and my emotions make me weary.
The first lesson that I learned from running is this:
a “small” step is not that small, it’s a centimeter towards the finish line.
I once had an experience where I let another runner pass.
After hours of running and focusing on my pace, I looked around and there were only two of us on the trail.
Defeated, thinking that I would be the last in the race, I gave up and let her pass me.
As I witnessed her barely running like me, she opened her arms as she broke through the finish line.
The line that I missed to notice.
I was astounded that I could only look at my feet.
I could assess then and there that there were just a few meters of the gap between us.
With all my remaining strength, I tried to run and ultimately crossed the finish line in just seconds.
As I was catching my breath, I was informed that I was the second runner to finish the race. Hence, I should wait for the awarding ceremony.
By now, you already know that the runner that I let pass me became the champion.
I had no hard feelings from that time.
However, it left a great footprint in my runner’s life.
It made me realize that even a small step, regardless of my speed, as long as I’m moving forward- is worth something.
It may seem useless from afar and doesn’t deserve a cheer from the sidelines, but no step is worthless in running and ultimately in life.
Keep on moving forward, keep on treading onward.
One foot in front of the other, and remember, fix your eyes to where you want to be at. Never underestimate that "centimeter".
That’s all for today, a runner’s lesson during the race.
A lesson that can be applied to this life’s haste. 😉
About the Creator
Ann ☕️
If my words connect with you, then I have fulfilled one of my dreams.
Thank you for being here, and for choosing to be here.
Sending you my love~
~Ann ☕️
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Comments (4)
Am blessed Ann. Thankyou for sharing your experience. That reminds me of a saying by someone great: He said: " If you can not fly, run. If you can not run, walk. If you can not walk, crawl towards your destiny." Thankyou for reinforcing this through sharing your story.
The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. I used to run a lot when I was younger with no problems. Today, it is not so easy, and I have to push myself. If I run along the road, I motivate myself by running between the lamp posts. Each post is another chunk of the run done. If I focus on the endpoint, it is too easy to just stop running. Bite-sized chinks!
A great piece of advice <3
Small steps, indeed, Well said, Ann.