Today is Global Running Day!
I want to take a few moments to talk about limits. More specifically, being limitless.
We are in the month of my 9th NPversary (June 2014 is when I first started showing up… I don’t know the exact day) and I’ve been reflecting on all the amazing things I now do that I NEVER would have dreamt I’d be doing.
All because I decided, without knowing anything or anyone, to #justshowup.
My life has changed a lot in 9 years.
What I wanted to share is how much I’ve changed when it comes to thinking and being limitless. I’m sure I’ve shared this part before- that I’m the lucky recipient of two forward thinking parents who, early in their own journey in Canada, decided not to put a lot of cultural pressure on my shoulders. What this has led to over the course of my life is that I DO get to be, do and think without limitations. This was encouraged in many different ways throughout my childhood.
As a result, I don’t put limitation on myself.
You all got to see this when my parents came to Edmonton in April. I couldn’t imagine my Dad (my Dad!!) coming to November Project. I couldn’t imagine him going up and down the stairs with all of you. He did though. Just like he’s done his entire life, he stepped right over a potential barrier and did a thing.
These have been the examples I get to see throughout my life.
All of YOU have been an example for me too. From nine years ago to now. I get to see people – every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning – push themselves out of their comfort zone. I get to see people complete the Ol 96er, show up to earn a -30 badge, act silly and do a duck walk across the wading pool at Churchill Square, get a PB during the Sunrise 6k, take a leap of faith and go face first down a waterslide, or hug a stranger who is drenched in sweat.
I fucking love it!
While I didn’t have a ton of limitations on my thinking, “that line” has moved even further since being part of the NP community.
What has this looked like for me over the past nine years?
Well..
- I’m a winter runner now! I remember what I was like when I had my first Edmonton winter… 16 years ago. It most certainly did not include winter running. Or spending any real time outside.
- I don’t fear being out in the cold. And I have the battery gloves and socks to prove it! 😉
- I’ve signed up and ran mountain races… meaning I was by myself in the wilderness for many kms where bears and other wild animals live. And I behave like this is a normal thing to do.
- I do stairs on the weekend. For fun.
- I show up at 5:30am to do the Ol’ 96er. I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned but growing up, my nickname was Lazy Lizzie. 5:30am? Me? This never happened before NP.
- I sign up for and train to run races. Like, I spend time (months!) training to run a race early in the morning and call this fun.
- The list could go on…
On Global Running Day, I think about how all of us have said “heck yeah I’ll show up”…. and then run up and down that hill that never gets easier.
This is limitless.
In case you missed this morning, here is our DEER friend who also showed up to run up and down those Emily Murphy stairs. Thanks Zoe for capturing this! In case you need a little nature in your life today….
Announcements
- Friday at 5:58am– we’ll see you at the bottom of Walterdale Hill! Hill repeats are on deck.
~togetherisbetter
Lazina
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