Lion or Gazelle?

“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed.   Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up.  It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve.  It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.” ~unknown

Some days I feel like I'm the gazelle, trying to outrun the lion of emotions, pain, stress, life.

Lately though, I feel more like the lion: strong predator hunting down my goals, setting PR's, blazing a new and exciting path for the future and handing life's stresses better than ever before.

Since my last post in July I have gotten stronger, emotionally and physically.  In 8 weeks of running I went from running 3 miles in 45 minutes to breaking all my past 5k records with a run of 28:51.

Without this proof, I still wouldn't believe it

I attribute this to many things, my husband's constant support and encouragement, yoga, weight training, challenges from my former personal trainer to push myself harder and the phrase "Suck it up, Princess" from a group of crazy FB runners that I've never met.

As always, running has become a time of wonderful conversations with Jesus. I love having the quiet time alone to just pray and reflect on all that has happened, especially this past year.  I can't yet see what the end result or purpose of the last year is but I know that whatever it may be, that God's allowed the storm to further refine me. I no longer feel like I'm running from myself but towards a healthier, happier me.

I'm not sure where this is all going to take me but with encouragement from my husband and a few friends, I'm now on the path to get my AFAA Certification to become a Group Fitness Instructor.  It's scary for me to venture outside of being mom and wife and back into the world outside home.   It is also extremely exciting to take on this new challenge!

Tink and mommy studying at Dunkin Donuts

For today I feel like the lion and I plan on fighting to hold onto being the lion and not the gazelle.

Women's Distance Run 08.14.12- 32:11

Chris Thater Memorial 08.23.14 - 30:20