From the Director’s Desk…One Step At A Time

We are one month into the new year already. The adage of “time flies” is very true. If your schedule is anything like mine, it is often hard to fit everything you want to do into one day. We have work, family, exercise, committees, kids’ activities and our own hobbies. How is it possible to get it all done AND sleep the way we are supposed to? Honestly, people often ask me this and I don’t really have a great answer.  I finally have a response as this is what works for me. These things may not work for you, but here are a few words from my experience, with running being a part of the journey teaching me how to balance.

Prioritize:

We all care about something, but we simply cannot care about everything, or we will never make time for the things that matter most to us. Therefore, we learn to prioritize based on what is of value to us during a certain period in time. I have gone through seasons where the workout was one of my most important activities. I would get up by 4:30 am to fit that in as it was a priority in order to accomplish the other necessities of the day. Some seasons, sleep took priority. Right now, I’m working to finish a college degree, so studies and homework often take the priority.

I use a planner to keep on track. Guess what? I do NOT get everything done in a week that I put into my planner. However, I write it all down with good intention and as each day goes by, I cross off what was accomplished. I also revisit what needs to be shifted to a different day, different week, or perhaps not at all. We also all find meetings or circumstances that enter our days that shifts the priorities again as well. It’s a checks and balance system. For me it helps keep me focused, remembering goals (and important to-dos!).  I have also accepted the reality that I must be flexible and adjust with change, which can at times mean letting go of something and learning what is the most important.

One Step at a Time:

One important life lesson that running has taught me is just take one step at a time. I am a planner, which means my brain is constantly thinking about all the “next” things and creating timelines and putting details into place. This is not a bad quality (especially in race planning!) However, I also have to take a step back sometimes, inhale deeply, and take one step at a time so that: 1) I embrace the moment I am in and 2) I can adequately handle whatever is on the agenda.

When running a race, whatever the distance, we literally put one foot in front of the other to just keep going forward. Running has taught me about taking one step at a time to get to that “finish line,” whatever it may be. I am not a fast runner, and that’s ok with me. I do cross the finish line and every victory is sweet with a story embedded within. How do I get to that finish line when it’s hard, I’m tired, and I struggle? One foot in front of the other, always.

In a race or in life, when we are busy and overwhelmed, just put one foot in front of the other to keep going forward. It may take time to get to the end result, but if you keep going, you’ll reach that finish line. Don’t compare yourself to others and focus on the end result. Trust me, you will learn a lot about yourself in the process.

My encouragement to you today is just put one foot in front of the other. This applies to running, training, and life. Soon enough you’ll find yourself on the finish line!
~Rachael