A few weeks ago I read a question posted on Facebook. Of course I can't find the post now but it went something like this. "If you could write a letter to yourself before you started running what would it say?" Here's my letter to the pre-running me.
Hey Lori,
It’s you…well future you, which is me. It might take you a
while to believe this but I’m writing to you from the future. It would take too
long for me to prove it on paper so you’ll just have to wait until these things
start to happen and then I guess you’ll know for sure. Anyway, I’m about to
explain some things that are going to blow your mind, but trust yourself. I don’t
want to say too much because if I do you’ll try to prevent these things from
happening. You can’t prevent them. Plus, you need these things to happen no
matter how horrible they seem. You will learn and grow from all of it and in
the end it will make you a much better person. Just trust yourself.
Sometime in the near future you’re going to start running. I
know it sounds crazy but after having multiple children you’re going to want to
get back into shape. It’ll be time to find “you” again. Don’t talk yourself out
of a run no matter how mentally awful you feel. These runs will help you sort
through your personal and professional issues. They will be better than any
therapist and trust me there will be therapists. Running will also be vent
sessions for future friends, so listen carefully to them. Also learn how to
pronounce Malachi- it’s not quite… Never mind this one is funny.
Running will bring a new confidence level that will knock
you down at first but then it will lift you even higher. You are going to have
some amazing experiences but they won’t happen until you first experience one
of your worst life events. I know you want me to tell you since I know how it’s
going to happen and exactly when, but I can’t. When I first knew I could warn
you about this situation I wanted to tell you to stay away, bite your tongue
harder than you did, go on vacation, stay home, and never leave the house. But
then I remembered how it all ended. The great things won’t happen without the
bad. Let it happen. Don’t over think it or let it run your life. It won’t kill
you (it will try) so as hard as it gets just know you will make it through.
Running will be even harder but keep going. Go stronger, harder, faster, and
let it all out on the road. You’ll find your relationship with God out there. I
told you I’d blow your mind.
Here are a few tips I can give you ahead of time.
- Bring toilet paper with you on EVERY run.
- Look more carefully for cars while taking BR breaks outdoors (get used to it).
- Go to a specialist right away to get that stomach thing figured out.
- Do not take the first IBS medication Dr. Petrescue prescribes. It will make you feel really sick.
- Do not try Greg’s drink. You don’t know who Greg is right now but you will know when it happens. One winter night while you’re with co-workers at the bar he will offer. Do NOT take it.
- Drink a lot of water. All the time. That will mean more than you do even when you think it’s enough.
- Don’t dress like a ninja. Invest in bright colors right away.
- Do not ever put your running clothes in the dryer.
- Make the girls run with you and/or shorten your miles if they show any interest.
- That girl that you want to talk to at Zumba but you’re too shy- talk to her. Talk to her right away. Don’t roll your eyes because yes you will indeed try Zumba. Don’t worry it won’t last long.
- Oh and there will be a race you do when you’ll be waiting for a porta-potty. There will be lots of trees around with some awesome scenery you might miss. Anyway, when a lady runs up to you with an offer- take it. Don’t think about it just take the offer as quickly as possible.
Just love every minute of running. Enjoy life and trust in God.
He will get you through all of it and you will thank Him every day. Love your
family and spend as much time with them as you can. You will have some awesome
support so just embrace it and forget those who criticize. Just keep running!
Sincerely,
Me & You
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