One of my best friends sent me this postcard after she ran the Nike Women's marathon in 2006. I have had it pinned up in a place of honor every day since then. I LOVE this postcard, click on the image to better read the quote!!!
This is how I see myself these days when I go out running. All strength and power and muscular beauty. The full-on, in-your-face, I-rock-this-body attitude I have now is the greatest gift I get from regularly exercising.
But it wasn't always this way.
Flashback to 5th grade - a time when kids are extremely impressionable and just beginning to feel uncomfortable in their skin as they go through all the lovely changes associated with puberty. I'm sitting in gym class when the teacher calls up 3 girls to stand in front of the class, myself included. He then proceeds to "illustrate" different body types and I have the good fortune of demonstrating the "large boned" category in front of my entire peer group. I can honestly say I never gave a thought to my body shape or size in comparison to others before that day. But that day was the start of a long and unnecessary struggle with my size.
What a DICK. Seriously.
Flash forward to age 36. I'm happy and healthy and I feel like I've finally managed to beat that weight demon into submission. Every run I go on, I do my best to sprint the last block. It is a reminder to me of all the things I've conquered through sheer force of will. The joy of being able to ask my body to do more when I'm convinced I'm too tired and have it respond with a reservoir of strength is my small daily miracle.
So yeah... Bring on those THUNDER thighs, they are mine and I LOVE them... and the big bones and the big muscles that go with 'em!
No comments:
Post a Comment