Running to Wellbeing: A Different Kind of Marathon

I ran a marathon 8 years ago this week. I was a 52-year-old recreational runner with a handful of half-marathon medals when I thought, how much harder could it be to run another 13.1 miles? Of course, that’s a ridiculous rationale, but it helped me make the leap. I recall running past Mile Marker 26, feeling the swell of power in my legs and a lump in my throat as I celebrated my perseverance through the chute. A life time ago…

I feel like I’m running marathons these days, but not the type that hand out medals at the finish line. No, my marathons of late aren’t physical runs, but rather, emotional endurance checkpoints as I transition through wellbeing challenges in this next stage of life. Family health issues, my mom’s caregiving, closing an 84-year-old family business, defending my dissertation, and an uber-delayed construction project have left me more depleted this year than any single 26.2 mile race ever could. When I landed in the doctor’s office with an elevated heart rate, she gently reminded me to practice what I preach, as in Breathe, Breathe, Breathe.

I currently do not have the mind, body, or spirit to complete a physical race of that length, but I’m at least back to a regular workout schedule. In fact, I recently added running intervals into my walks, although I’m sucking serious wind after three minutes. I guess my stamina is out to lunch with my consistency. No, the irony of diminished physical health while obtaining a doctorate in Health Education isn’t lost on me. 

I won’t revisit the emotions of that epic marathon day because honestly, I’ll never have that same set of circumstances that led to my finish line celebration. My dad suddenly passed and an elderly family friend became incapacitated eight weeks before the race, leaving me to assume two new highly emotional legal roles amidst my grief. In the same week. Looking back, I see a sweet coach, tear-filled training miles, cheerleading friends and family members running beside me, and a depleted shell of a body recovering for weeks. So I’ll just leave that on the emotional trophy shelf, alongside my 40-something dance recital and doctoral diploma. (Read more about it here https://lisahautly.com/blog/in-it-for-the-sticker-lisas-story)

While I am back in a fitness groove, I have no plans for another marathon at this time. I’m content kayaking, interval running, and enjoying Pilates while I focus on regaining strength, flexibility, and wellbeing. My emotional marathons continue, so I’m pulling together a wellbeing team to keep me on track. It’s a bit forced at this point, but sometimes that’s how we have to roll until our health habits find their new norm. 

PS. Let me know if you need another Team You supporter. We all need a little more love at times.