Training to run the Boston Marathon is like being pregnant...I had this aha moment one evening as I looked at my big toe nail which had turned purple on my left foot and had a blood blister on my right foot. “Oh my God,” I felt, “what's happening to my body is like what happened when I was pregnant” - it's going through changes at light warp speed and while I am amazed at how I feel spiritually and physically since I started running, there are aches and pains and things happening to my body that never happened before.Oh and of course rather than putting on the pounds, they are shedding like magic! I have what is called a contracture on my big left toe...a small reminder of polio...the toe likes to stay in a crooked position. So, as I was increasing miles, and forgot to keep my toenails trim, it took a real pounding. I feel like a real athlete now because I have to tape the toe before my run and it is healing beautifully. As for the blood blister...a blister kit from Marathon Sports and allowing the body with God's help to heal naturally enables me to continue running without missing a beat!
There is new life and transformation growing within me. This is an incredible labor of love – I don't mind the aches and pains or the blisters because I am on a mission. I am stretching and growing in ways I never knew possible before I said to Janine, my personal trainer, 'do you think you can help me get off of a low toilet seat?' And with Janine's loving guidance, I trust in the body's natural healing process and pay loving attention to what my body is telling me. I am so blessed to be surrounded by love – and to let in the most glorious love of all – the love from Source...God. I am learning to love myself and hence take exquisite care of my body. Is this selfishness? You bet it is and I highly recommend it...paying attention to nutrition and sleep and managing stress and taking time out for meditation each day is crucial. The body is the temple which holds our sacred self.
And just like during the nine months of pregnancy, there is also the air of expectation – what will it be like on Marathon Monday as I stand in the corral waiting for the starting gun to go off? Just like going into labor, all distractions are shut out, Spirit takes over mind and body as I will focus on a single goal – and feel the rush of tears, exhilaration and joy when I cross the finish line where loving arms await to embrace Team McManus.I am overflowing with gratitude for this amazing journey!!
1 comment:
The following quotation from this post really resonated with me:
"I am learning to love myself and hence take exquisite care of my body. Is this selfishness? You bet it is and I highly recommend it...paying attention to nutrition and sleep and managing stress and taking time out for meditation each day is crucial. The body is the temple which holds our sacred self."
This is something that I struggle with (i.e., putting others' needs before mine and feeling guilty when I do put myself first), so I am really making an effort to listen to my needs and take better care of myself. It's tough, but important!
"Is this selfishness? You bet it is and I highly recommend it." - Hilarious, but so insightful! :)
Thank you for recording your journey. It's really beneficial to read about someone else's experience, especially when they are further along in the healing process!
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