The Joy in the Journey

Even though we can see and feel that summer in New England is preparing to make its exit, we are so blessed and grateful that we can continue our early morning runs. While it is exhilarating and exciting to focus on Bermuda Marathon Race Weekend, especially since we are going to stay at the host hotel for Race Weekend, as we went out our front door, I felt this sense that the joy is in the journey. 

In our email receipt from Marathon Tours and Travel, it said, "Bermuda is hilly! You will find Front Street Mile to be flat, however the other races – 10K, half marathon and marathon are hilly. It is highly recommended that in your training you prepare for the hilly terrain."

Even though we have been training on hills, I felt inspired to suggest to Tom that we incorporate the hill we used for hill training during the 2009 Boston Marathon. Ruth Anne has been going through a rough patch on her ultramarathon healing journey back to wellness. I remembered her words of encouragement and support when I started training for the Bermuda 10K and said a prayer that focused on seeing her healthy, whole and healed experiencing all the joys that life has to offer; the joy she exuded when she supported my training on the road to the Bermuda Marathon 10K and her joy and zest for life. I remembered when we trained for the 2009 Boston Marathon together and how exhilarated we felt when we crossed the finish line together. There were so many incredible joyful moments in the journey on the road to the 2009 Boston Marathon with our Tufts 10K race together, the Hyannis Half Marathon when we met running greats and runner friends that we are still friends with today.

As Tom and I conquered the hill, we said "What do we eat for breakfast? Hills!"

 

 

What joy we felt experiencing the dawn of a new day overflowing with healing, hope and infinite possibilities:

I allowed the gentle ripples of the Reservoir's water to create ripples of joy in my heart and soul feeling the expansion of the scene before me reminding me of God's great love. It is so easy to get caught up in fear and worry in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Worries are dispelled by feeling gratitude and then joy that despite all appearances, all is well.

Before heading to the downhill (since downhill training is as vital as uphill training) there was spectacular sunshine peeking through the trees:

We took the downhill with ease:

before taking the right to head home while we tackled the long gradual hill to end our morning miles.

 

While we visualize how we are going to feel as we come into the Stadium and cross the finish line at the Bermuda 10K, we are making sure to find the joy in the journey.

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
Mary
 

Visit my website to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go farther than you ever believed you could. Be sure to visit the News and Events Page for links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.

 

I had a great time sharing my journey and announcing my new goal of taking on the Bermuda Marathon 10K on the On the Runs podcast. Here is the link to my Episode 56.  Be sure to download and subscribe to their podcast on your favorite platform.

 

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon