I used to dream of slapping a “26.2” sticker on my car, you know, the kind that sits proudly next to “My Kid Is an Honor Roll Student.” Well, my car doesn’t have either. Spoiler alert: I’m not exactly a poster child for athleticism. As a kid, I was usually the last one picked for team sports in gym class. But then life threw me a curveball, and I started running—competing, at least with myself, to the point of mild obsession. For years, I referred to my running as “survival,” until one day, I realized that simply showing up was enough.
I clocked countless miles, running across small towns like Forrest Gump, until my body began to rebel. Injuries piled up like laundry, and no amount of chiropractor visits could persuade me to hang up my running shoes. Looking back, it’s hard to say if I was running towards something or trying to escape.
After finishing a run—especially when I was nursing an injury—I often found myself muttering, “That was good enough.” But honestly, “good enough” felt like a letdown. I measured my self-worth by the success or failure of each run. “Good enough” was simply not good enough.
That mindset pushed me to endure pain, often worsening my injuries, all in the pursuit of perfection. To me, failure was not an option.
However, something began to shift recently. Just last week, I laced up my shoes and headed out for a run with no specific goal—no set distance, no race against the clock. It was just me, the open road, and a newfound sense of freedom. In the past, I would have fixated on my feet, my pace, and my mileage. But this time, I looked up.
Running transformed before my eyes. It became about gratitude for what my body can do and appreciating the beauty around me rather than competing against my own limitations.
I ran four miles that day, and for the first time, I didn’t think, “That was good enough.” Instead, I simply felt that it was enough—no strings attached.
I still don’t have that coveted 26.2 sticker, but I’ve finally reached a point in my life where just showing up means I can be proud, confident, strong, and grateful for what my body is capable of. My efforts are enough, and like any long run, this journey of understanding has unfolded at its own pace.
I’ll get to where I need to be when the time is right, and that will be enough.
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Summary:
This piece reflects on how running served as a metaphor for self-discovery and acceptance. The author shares her journey from a mindset of striving for perfection to realizing the importance of simply being enough. Through her experiences, she learns that showing up and valuing her body’s capabilities is what truly matters.