It’s a Marathon, we are in the home stretch!
Have any of you ever run a half marathon, marathon, or even an ultra-marathon? If you haven’t let me assure you it is what we are physically, mentally, and emotionally in. In 2007, I ran my first and most likely my last marathon. As a competitive runner, I didn’t think it would be what it ended up bringing me. It was the home stretch, the last 3 miles, the last three that I should have kept pace in, but instead, it was gruelling, fierce and the worst pain that I have ever felt in my life. I had hit a wall, a wall that I had to decide if I could mentally tell my body to keep going or to run off to the side and quit. I chose the first, to take each step with severe pain so that I could finish what I started. I certainly suffered in those hours of running, and I certainly suffered after finding out that I had muscle tears on the right side of my IT Band. I do however truly believe that the moments of life that are the hardest make us stronger. Quitting is not something I encourage nor was taught to do.
You see this pandemic, it’s gone on longer than we have all thought it would. What’s crazy is we don’t know the end date, whereas I knew how many miles I had left of my marathon. But I encourage you the light is beginning to shine, we are in the last days of this pandemic marathon that we are all running together. My encouragement to you today is will you choose to give up or choose to stay strong? Can you do this for yourself, your family, your neighbour, and all the front line workers that are going above and beyond the call of duty? I believe you can finish strong. We as a community need to stay strong and find ways to stay positive. Today I shared on Instagram that even though the world may be changing, the outdoors is what has kept me going. It truly has been my saving grace. It is always there for me and it has not been taken away. Brene Brown quotes, “I will brave the wilderness even if it means standing alone.”
I truly believe in you, and we are stronger than we can even imagine.
MaryAnna xo
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MaryAnna Robbins CSEP-CPT, OFC RHEP – Group Exercise, Resistance Trainer, Yoga Fitness, Pilates Mat Fitness
