“Redemption” and “redeem” have many definitions. For instance, many people think of being saved from sin, or something otherwise religious when they hear the word. Or they might think of getting something back – like redeeming a coupon. Many of the definitions center around faults, mistakes, guilt or rescue.
I have chose REDEMPTION as my word for 2018 for a couple of reasons. Here is how I define redemption for me: realizing that I was right all along and people being seen for who they really are, myself included. And in running, redemption is getting my sub 6 hour marathon.
Here I sit, Tuesday morning before work, eating my breakfast thinking about all of this. I currently have my left foot elevated on some pillows with an ice pack wrapped around it. Tendinitis rearing it’s ugly head. I will admit, my training for this marathon has not been ideal. I’ve had a lot of setbacks – from ugly weather, to sickness, to literally falling on my face, and finally now this. An overuse injury. I have to chuckle, because I feel like I’m not overusing anything right now. My mileage hasn’t been anywhere near my training plan…
… okay, okay. Enough of that. Enough beating myself up for not being perfect. NOBODY is perfect. And this marathon is going to be my redemption. As a good friend of mine has reassured me – I’ve been running consistently, training, exercising for YEARS. I haven’t had to take weeks or months off. A few days here, maybe a week there. I’ve got this!
And then after I conquer this marathon, I start working towards conquering my favorite marathon… the Detroit Free Press/Chemical Bank International Marathon. I can’t believe I am running it again. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to get to run it and tell the people I come across how awesome of an experience it is.
For now, I must be patient. I must let my body heal. I can’t focus on what I’m not doing, but what I have done, and what I will do.
RD on the Run 