Momentum Monday: I Am A Runner

Labels can be general, they can be limiting, and they can also be intimidating.  Why are we so hung up on labels?  "Wife" "Mother" "Manager" "CEO" "Badass" (that's one of my faves).  My guess is that they serve to identify and project or proclaim to the world that we are someone doing something important.  It could be done in an unconscious way, other times in a very deliberate way.  The recognition is what we look for, the validation that we have achieved something, not that no one else has done before, but rather becoming part of a group we have worked hard to be a part of.

I'm not one to label myself or even really seek other people's validation.  I tend to get embarrassed when I get recognized for an accomplishment.  Mostly because the completion of the task is the reward for me, anything above and beyond that is just gravy. :)  I think that is why I am enjoying running so much.  It's an instant gratification accomplishment.  As well with racing, finishing is the goal and reward for your hard work, and if you happen to get some bling for doing that, all the better.

This weekend I feel like I added a "label" to me and who I am as a person.  Not because I feel like I need to validate myself or my accomplishments, but because I finally feel like I am this person as well.  So I will have todays Momentum Monday tell you for me:

It scares me to say this, and surprisingly that I would be, considering I blog about this very thing; but I am a runner.  This weekend I felt it, I lived it and breathed it.  I crossed that threshold from the casual runner to someone who is dedicated to their goal and to the sport itself.  Now I'm not a svelt lanky lady that can grace the cover of Runner's World, but that doesn't mean I'm any less of an enthusiast or participant. 

I pushed my own limits during Saturday's long run.  I ran even though I was in pain from running so much (for me), I ran even though I wanted so badly to stop, I ran through the driving rain and biting wind, I ran even though I was soaked to the bone, my feet were squishing inside my shoes and rain was streaming down my face and body.  I did it and I didn't stop until I was done.  Because I am a runner.