A Run, All By Myself

Celine got it right. I do NOT want to be all by myself... when I am on a run. I absolutely hate it. In some ways I have developed a fear of it. Run 10 miles with a friend. Nooo problem. Run 5 miles alone. Well, anxiety begins to kick in before I have even stepped foot on the pavement.

What is a little odd about this fear is that I fell in love with running because it gave me time alone. Just me and my thoughts. The marathon I completed in Dallas I trained for alone. Same with my first half marathon. It’s interesting to notice such a dramatic shift.

The past two weeks I have strategically planned runs so that I was accompanied by a friend. Then, yesterday happened. I found myself... all by myself. When you are alone I think you feel the hurt of a run more. You get into your head. Self-doubt comes creeping in. As I tried to be tougher than the pain, my thoughts took over and I came up with a strategic plan to beat my negative thoughts.

To have no fear we must break our fears. We do this by engaging in them. So now, I made a promise to myself at least once a week I will run, all by myself. Even if I don’t want to be. It will help me conquer my fear… and maybe… I can rediscover the love I once had for running all by myself.

What are you afraid of? Have you tried to let your fear fade?

#runner #fittness #running #alone