Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Embracing the Suck...again

"A life without problems, limitations, or challenges; life without opposition in all things, as Lehi phrased it, would paradoxically, but in very fact, be less rewarding and less ennobling than one which confronts, even frequently confronts difficulty, disappointment and sorrow."
-Jeffrey R. Holland

Back when my youngest went to kindergarten this fall, I worried about being alone or wasting time while he was gone. One of my goals to rectify that situation was to try to memorize a quote or scripture a week. While it hasn't ended up being exactly one a week, those that I have committed to memory have been implanted in my heart. And the great thing about having them there in my mind and heart is that when I least expect it but when I need them the most, they are there when I need them. And this quote came to my mind in just one of those moments.
Giving up this goal of mine and coming to grips with a stress fracture is not easy. Not only is it frustrating to put so much time and effort into a goal that's not realized, my mind can't help go to the place that says that I'm not cut out to run. Feeling sorry for myself is not something I like to do nor is it something that is fun to live with, so after having a little cry to a best friend and then a little cry to my husband in bed after a day of putting a smile on my face, I decided to make the best of it. I had a funny little chat with myself about a post that I wrote a while ago where I said how I was looking for the lows in running instead of the highs to learn and to grow. I told myself that this was a definite low and in a weird way I had found what I was looking for. The next day I got this comment from Mike. It said what I was thinking more eloquently. "This is one of those moments where all we can do is embrace the suck. Several posts ago you spoke of searching for the lows -not the highs- in running for this is where we find the truths about ourselves. I absolutely love this concept and the frame of mind that understands and accepts this as wisdom. This is a low for you. Embrace it for, in a weird sort of a way, it'll make you tougher than you already are, and you are one tough girl. It's a good day to be alive, but it sucks, eh? And that's ok."
So I'm embracing the suck once again in a different way than I had planned. I am truly lucky. I am not in a boot. No crutches. Just no running for 6 weeks. I can still bike, walk, do yoga, even hike if I'm careful. I could even swim if I was desperate enough. My husband bought me a really nice bike trainer for Christmas to use during the winter. It was a perfect gift, even before I knew about my little setback. It's set up in front of the TV. Now I just need something good to watch. (Suggestions please...) I got to ride it 3 times last week and then went for a hike on Saturday. It was a great week even without running.



And yesterday my husband and I hiked to the top of the mountain behind our house. It was hard and good. A great way to start the new year.

And though it was really windy, I was even able to do a little yoga on top of the mountain. Doesn't that just seem like something you should do when feeling like you're on top of the world?

It was awesome and I'm embracing this time to recover and come back stronger than before.

That 37 mile run is still going to happen. And that song still rings in my mind..." lock me up, that's what you'll have to do if you're gonna stop me from getting where I'm going to. Or try to keep the sun from coming up or the tide from rolling in now that I know what I'm capable of. Cause every time I wanted to stop I kept running and every time I hit a wall I climbed. I'm breaking the bands of my self limitations going go into line... going past the point, beyond the mark further than I ever thought I could, out of the dark into the light just like He always knew I could. And when heaven tells me I can I believe it."

22 comments:

Elle said...

Beautiful pics. You are sooo strong.

Yes, embrace the suck... since I first read it on your blog it has become my mantra when things are tough. And I have shared it and given you credit many times, too.

Nice that you have the bike - The new season of Biggest Loser starts tonight if you are a fan... I am loving Blue Bloods on Friday nights - Tom Selleck as the police chief in NYC.

Enjoy!

Jen @ Run for Anna said...

Wonderful post! Your positive energy is so motivating. Thanks for the great reminder that the "low" points are actually just building us up!! :)

Julia said...

oh jen. you are simply amazing to me. one of the strongest, most caring, most understanding people i know. i relate to so many things you said and really like the idea of finding the truth in our lows because that is where we will learn about ourselves. i think there is SO much truth in that. you WILL come through this STRONGER than ever. it does "suck" for now but i always feel like the suckiest of times have the greatest lessons to be learned.

beautiful pictures!! let me know if you ever need another person to talk to :) i am here!

Jen said...

Giving credit where credit it due... Mike is the one who came up with "embrace the suck". I stole it from him and it has made all the difference in so many situations!

Sam W. said...

you are such an inspiration. love "embrace the suck."

i love: once upon a time, modern family, how i met your mother, and revenge. all can be watched online!

Anonymous said...

<3! Becareful riding.. sometimes it's too much on the lower legs but if it doesn't seem to make your leg ache you're good!

Michelle @ www.movinitwithmichelle.com said...

I am new to your blog, and am already a huge fan....Thanks for the inspiration!

Running With The Girls said...

Love those pics of you doing yoga on top of the mountain - incredibly powerful! :)

Raina said...

You are an awesome and STRONG woman, Jen. He made you wonderfully!!

Laura said...

Knowing the lows don't define you is so huge...embrace the suck and then kill it.

Ewa said...

As much as I would like to avoid lows, I think that without experiencing them we would not be able to enjoy the highs? How would we even know they were highs?
Yoga on top of the mountain. How cool is that?

Unknown said...

I love the quote. You look amazing! The pictures of you doing yoga are amazing. They remind me of the powerful women I see in my Athleta magazine!

Coy Martinez said...

How cool are those pics! You look so high up too! That must have been one heck of a hike! Oh, and I love your hat by the way! I think yoga was def in order :)

I watch a lot of action movies while I'm on the trainer. Yesterday was Ironman :)

Laura said...

Love the Jeffrey Holland quote... yes, life would be less rewarding and less satisfying... let's hope it's a short detour, and like you said, you can come back stronger, and still get to the 37 mile run! I really appreciated reading your wise words. Being positive is important, but a good cry helps, too! :)

Rachelle Wardle said...

You are amazing....simply amazing! Gorgeous pictures. And yes you will do that 37 mile run when your body is ready and you know what I will be there to support you.

Penny said...

I have always said God works in mysterious ways. I know it sucks to go through all this,but you will come out stronger. You will look back someday and say hey now I know what you were trying to tell me. I have learned that lesson myself.

Wendy said...

i love your yoga pics!!! they are awesome. i just watched "downton abbey" on netflix and loved it. i hope you heal quickly. ;-)

Sabrina @ Radioactive Runner said...

i love your pictures!! what a great way to spend a day. I'm definitely going to remember "embrace the suck".. i like that and it's so true.

Yo Momma Runs said...

Wow, amazing view! Just found your blog today, and I'm hoping to get inspired by your barefoot running. And I love the Holland quote! He's my favorite.

Wendy said...

Great pictures!
Hope you heal quickly!

ash & diz said...

ugh... Jen, I'm so sorry to hear about your stress fracture! But glad to see you are still getting out there and getting your workouts in. Your pictures look amazing!

We need to meet up again!

Mel said...

Hey Jen! Hope you are healing quickly and all is well! We need to catch up one of these days.