I headed out to a local trail for a run/walk.
I always say "run slash walk," complete with air quotes because I'm not really a great runner. I try, I really do, but the truth is, I just don't like it that much.
Especially not in the 90+ degree heat. But, I wanted to get out of the house, and I really like this particular trail, so I set out.
I didn't run very far. I've been having a problem with shin splints (I heard it is from my shoes?), and I just simply did not have very much energy.
So, I walked.
And I stopped at a bench and did some toning.
And when I was ready, I started to walk back the way I came.
The part of the trail near where I had parked my car was at the top of a hill, and I was huffing and puffing, and my heart was pounding. I stopped to lean against a fence to catch my breath, and then began the negative self-talk.
I'm so fat and out of shape.
I'm so old and weak.
What's wrong with me?
I'll never be a runner.
I started off again to walk the last few yards to my car. That's when I saw this:
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| It says, "Congrats for getting excersize (sic)." |
and this a few steps later:
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| "Smile"
And I did smile all the way back to my car.
What a great reminder, put there by some random person, that at least I was doing something good for myself and of that I should be proud.
The handwriting tells me that it was probably written by a young girl. Maybe she wrote it for her mom who has been trying to get in shape. Or maybe she's just a sweet, happy, positive person. Whoever she is, I envision that she has a wonderful role model of positivity.
Someone unlike me. I'm sure there is a reason I never had any little girls.
Some days I'm harder on myself than others. On these particularly hard days, it's nice to have a random reminder to be a little kinder to myself.
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