Day 500

Today marks 500 days of daily writing and journaling.

Consistency, commitment and flexibility are keys to reaching this writing milestone today. I found creative ways to prioritize this part of my path.

This wasn’t always the case in my life with other “dreams.”

One that comes to mind would be my marathon dream and my many attempts at… ahem, racewalking.

Yup, that “funny walk” activity (or SEXY/wiggle WALK as some call it) you may have seen at the Olympics.

YES, IT IS A REAL SPORT. (I am not here to argue with non-believers today if they don’t want to believe me. Please keep reading…)

By the end of 2011, I completed two half-marathons (21km) as a speed walker. I knew I wanted to go faster. After finishing a 30km race in March 2012 and having surgery in May of the same year, I decided to set a new & crazy goal - my first marathon (42km). I wrote briefly about this accomplishment in an earlier newsletter.

My dream at the time was to see the world through marathons. Hawaii would be the first one. Why Hawaii? I figured if I died at a young age while walking fast at least it would be in a beautiful place.

There were many milestones I needed to track before the marathon itself. I created a training schedule and read everything I could about the Honolulu Marathon. I kept track of my training distances with times, routes, and certain meals. I was open to improving my walking technique. I became more interested in racewalking and decided to try it out late in the game with a local group.

I sucked at it.

Like, really SUCKED.

Despite all the training I did for the marathon, I didn’t have enough time to commit to learning the proper racewalking technique.

There were some other factors I could not plan for. Like the volcano VOG pushing over to Oahu a few days before and the day of the race. Even the pitch black nighttime was hot. I did not imagine some dude in a full Pikachu suit would pass me, leaving me a bit disheartened. I never imagined participating in my first marathon (13 weeks) pregnant. For those reasons and a few more, I missed my time goal.

I stayed true to myself and made the race my own. The limited time I spent on my new “wiggle” still improved my original speed walking time. The vibe during the race was incredible. I was able to sashay in my own way to the finish line.

The outcome of my first marathon did not deter me from ever wanting to try again.

I tried to get back into a steady walking routine after the marathon. I had a hard time making it stick with work demands, an injury, health issues and raising a youngling. For years, I tried on and off to pick up the proper racewalking technique. I continued to suck at it. With my Olympic dreams out the window and frustration settling in, I succumbed to the fact long ago I may forever be a speed walker (insert teary eyes). I felt like a wiggly failure.

Writing remains a love of mine for most of my life. I gave it up for over a decade and decided to start again last year. Daily writing took a route on the path I didn’t expect to experience. Not only did it help me to heal my mind and body, but it also showed me the power of consistency and commitment. I accomplished milestones I set out for as well as others I never imagined. The first 100 days laid the foundation. 500 writing days is proof to myself of running my own race, or walking at my own pace.

There is no end in sight - I will continue to write daily.

The more I write, the more I realize there are no start or end points when it comes to writing, racewalking, parenting or other activities I’ve come to love. They are ALL part of my path and always will be in some way.

How do I take other parts of my life and make them fit without giving up other pieces?

There will be times when one part of the path nudges to the left or right. Sometimes life will dictate how we have to pivot, like my pregnancy. At times there is no clear path and we have to follow our gut, similar to my writing journey. Other dreams will fall into place when the time is right.

Like writing, I don’t plan to give up completely on racewalking. With my health more in check, I hope to get back to the sexy walk soon… even if it takes me another 11 years to get it right. My Olympic dream could be fulfilled after all… I’m coming for you, Summer Olympics 2048!

More importantly, will I ever fulfill another dream and see the world through marathons? Who knows… My ten-year-old enjoys running. I’m sure her first marathon in Hawaii had something to do with this. Maybe we were always meant to do marathons together… each at our own pace.

LIFE is not a race - enjoy the journey and celebrate victories big and small. Even future ones!

All the best in your journey, today and always.

Naddy / Nadine