| Reinventing Me |
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Written by Moniece Robinson I’ve always felt like a work in progress. Unfortunately, I was plagued with the “Treadmill Syndrome.” I employed this term each time I felt as if I was working hard, toward my goals only to look up and realize that I was in same place that I started. I was frustrated and I wanted to “get off the treadmill.” I used this analogy constantly for years and it is quite ironic that running became the remedy. I started running because I was bored. Every weekday, I worked, came home and plopped on the couch in front of the tube until bedtime. Every weekend, I did for everyone else, but never for myself; little did I know that I would start an improved relationship with life by becoming a runner. It all started with a one mile Dog Jog to benefit a local animal shelter. I wanted to get out of the house and do something different. Itt was a bonus that I could take my dog along. Having never done anything like this before, I was anxious to get started, and once we began to run - very eager to reach the finish. Afterwards, both my dog and I were exhausted. Looking back, we started way too fast and both of us panted for the rest of the afternoon. It took a year and a half for me to decide to lace up my tennies again and brave the road. At first, it was all about enjoying my twenty minutes of free time, but as time passed - I craved a challenge. The distance increased until I decided to tackle a marathon. My goal became to race a full 26.2 miles. I wasn’t trying to win, I just wanted to finish. It became less and less about the run and more about me. For years, I had played it safe and waited for my life to magically get better. I wanted a better job, a love life and purpose. I wanted to be proud of something. I wanted to feel more than the monotony of just being. Running hasn’t made my life better; it has simply became a vehicle to make me better. For those of you that don’t run let me explain. I am constantly told that I am crazy for running and some of my friends can’t understand why I enjoy running for hours at the time. In a race, the rhythmic cadence of running shoes striking the pavement is my simple music. During training runs, I get to see the neighborhood from a different perspective. I notice the beauty of the environment, animals, houses, and foliage; I feel part of something big. When I run, I know that I’m running a given distance. I am, by no means, the fastest runner and I’m not discouraged by this at all. I take pride in knowing that with each step forward, I am closer to the finish; closer to reaching my goal. And once I get there, I can only think about what’s next. Suddenly, I was changing careers, meeting new people, smiling more and, frankly, why not? I’ve run 26.2 miles twice and lived to tell the tale. Today, I am doing things that scared me so much before, but now seem necessary for me to grow to my highest potential. My personal accomplishments have given me a more positive outlook on many of the situations in my life that seemed so hopeless before. Finally, I have broken free from the evil “life treadmill” that worked me weary for so many years. I wish that everyone could experience the freedom of reinventing themselves. I find that I am more calm and carefree than I have been in a longtime. Not to say that I feel that everyone should run, just that everyone deserves to find that one thing that they love. We, as women, need to find time to find ourselves. Challenge yourself today to walk the path less traveled and do something that you’ll remember forever, then take a moment to look in the mirror. Each time I do, I see a woman standing tall, triumphant, and uniquely me. I am a female athlete. I am a marathoner. I’m not afraid anymore. ------------------------ Moniece Robinson resides in Kernersville, NC with her dog, Dream. She attended Davidson College, studying Anthropology followed by working 5 years in business accounting. Recently, Moniece has transitioned into the field of Information Technology. Recreationally, she has run a total of 15 races including 2 full marathons. |
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