Jeff Breece - Thoughts from a half marathon
Jeff Breece is a heart attack survivor turned runner who blogs at JeffBreece.com.
This post is about hitting a personal milestone.
My cousin and I just finished the Cap City Half Marathon together on Saturday. This was my second half marathon and so much easier than my first. The one in October 2015 left me feeling like a sweaty chunk of smelly man fat with heart disease. There were all these beautiful people along the way cheering us on. I actually blew a kiss to an elderly woman who was hoping up and down dancing for all of us. I think what I enjoy most about these events is the chance to mentally reflect over whatever thoughts are floating around in my head in time with my feet hitting the pavement to a rhythmic pattern as I breath to keep my body moving.
One of the reasons I'm sharing this is for a couple folks I've been talking with who have been hit hard by heart disease in a short period of time. I realize that running is almost something like a privilege after a heart attack. And to be honest… it's not about running. It's about whatever life within us that pushes back on the darkness, anxiety and fear. Right now that's running for me. But were I in the shoes of some of the folks I have been sharing stories with it might very well be simply walking half a block without pain. Both are equal accomplishments. Hell, getting up in the morning is an accomplishment. Finding yourself in the moment, accepting the situation and pushing forward is the hard part. But I don't feel alone either. And that's eased some of the burden..
Another thought I had along the route on Saturday was about finding the things that bring you joy and motivate you. I’m happy mine include friends, family and running right now. I'm dedicating this to those of us in the grips of anxiety, pain and tears. No one but ourselves can see for us. But we can certainly stand shoulder to shoulder as we face one of life's most lethal foes. Together.
Tell us: Have you hit a milestone lately?
This post is about hitting a personal milestone.
My cousin and I just finished the Cap City Half Marathon together on Saturday. This was my second half marathon and so much easier than my first. The one in October 2015 left me feeling like a sweaty chunk of smelly man fat with heart disease. There were all these beautiful people along the way cheering us on. I actually blew a kiss to an elderly woman who was hoping up and down dancing for all of us. I think what I enjoy most about these events is the chance to mentally reflect over whatever thoughts are floating around in my head in time with my feet hitting the pavement to a rhythmic pattern as I breath to keep my body moving.
One of the reasons I'm sharing this is for a couple folks I've been talking with who have been hit hard by heart disease in a short period of time. I realize that running is almost something like a privilege after a heart attack. And to be honest… it's not about running. It's about whatever life within us that pushes back on the darkness, anxiety and fear. Right now that's running for me. But were I in the shoes of some of the folks I have been sharing stories with it might very well be simply walking half a block without pain. Both are equal accomplishments. Hell, getting up in the morning is an accomplishment. Finding yourself in the moment, accepting the situation and pushing forward is the hard part. But I don't feel alone either. And that's eased some of the burden..
Another thought I had along the route on Saturday was about finding the things that bring you joy and motivate you. I’m happy mine include friends, family and running right now. I'm dedicating this to those of us in the grips of anxiety, pain and tears. No one but ourselves can see for us. But we can certainly stand shoulder to shoulder as we face one of life's most lethal foes. Together.
Tell us: Have you hit a milestone lately?
