Over at the Thursday Three, Christie O. asked us to revisit our letter to self, written back in January. Um, that was an eon ago! Or at least it feels like it.
Anyhow, this is what I wrote:
January 1, 2011
Dear Heather,
You probably think it’s weird I’m writing you a letter. You may think you’re going crazy (okay, that might be partially true). But I really need to tell you some things.
Grab a cup of coffee (I see you looking at that pastry, hooker – hands off). Have a seat. Listen up.
First off, I just want to say that where you are right now? I’m so proud of you. Six months ago, I bet if someone told you you’d be able to run six miles straight, you would have laughed.
You would have laughed even harder if they’d told you that’s you’d complete a half marathon. But you will! Not only that, you will run the entire time. You will finish, with your Sisters, and it will be one of the most amazing experiences of your life. You will also have a great time after the race…just try to stay cool. I know, it’s hard. Make an effort, ok?
In May, you’re going to run your first 12 K, the Bloomsday race in Spokane. It will be a great barometer for how you’ll feel during the 1/2 marathon. And your family will be there cheering as you cross the finish line.
What else? Hmmm. This year, you will figure out your relationship with food. Or at least make a huge leap in understanding what makes you overeat, what influences your choices, good and bad. You’ll do much better at eating whole, healthy foods.
Oh yeah, by the way, and you’ll like this: you’ll reach your goal weight this year. And forget getting back into your prepregnancy jeans – you’re going a size smaller.
I want to you really listen here: this year is going to be fantastic, but not without it’s challenges. Things are going to happen that you aren’t going to like. Remember this – you are in charge of yourself and your family. Poor decisions made by others are out of your control. You can accept them and move on, or you can get bitter.
You should move on. Being angry will only hold you back. Let it go, let it go, let it go. That is ONE of your mantras this year.
The other? Love yourself, treat your body and mind right, and you can do ANYTHING.
So, why are you still sitting there. Get up, throw on your shoes, and hit the road. You’re not going to get a 10 minute split by sitting on your tush!
xoxo,
Heather
P.S. You really need to go out and buy better running pants, now. The whole yanking up the pants while running thing? Stupid. And really, really not cute. Get on that.
The next thing Christie asked (yes, she is SO demanding) is that we find three goals we accomplished from that letter. Well, I can for sure say that I realized ONE goal. I ran an entire half marathon.
Another thing? I’ve gotten a lot better at accepting people and their decisions that I don’t agree with. It is hard, and I still struggle with it, but I’ve gotten to a place where I realize that I 1) am not always right and 2) even if I am right, I can’t force my opinions/help/whatever on people who aren’t interested.
The rest? Still in progress. The race and training kind of consumed me and became a beast (albeit a GOOD beast) unto itself.
So, the goal weight? Not so much.
But I’m working on it.
And? We’re only halfway through the year.
So I think there’s still plenty of time to get down to business.