Changing My Path



image credit: danieltardey.me

 I changed my run route the other day.  My normal one is about 6.75miles. It begins on campus, I head east for about a mile and a half, then head south along the river, around a 'lake', and then wind back to campus through downtown Omaha.  Over time, the route got easier and to challenge myself I tried to decrease my time, or sprint the hills (ugh), but that too became less of a challenge or for lack of a better term, just 'blah.'


The new route is about 1.75 more miles going in a completely different direction.  And it's hard.  I feel like I go slower on the hills (and both bridges), and there are times where I just want to sit down on the pavement. 


It's frustrating to be in control of something (my original route), and then to change it up completely.  But at the same time, I couldn't be more elated than, when I finish my run.  I'm proud of the accomplishment, proud of myself for sticking with it even when it got difficult, and just happy (which I can attribute to the endorphins).


I was thinking on Friday morning, while running, how this applies to so many different arenas of my life right now.  I feel like I have certain parts in control, or that I have the perfect plan--I don't--which always surprises me.  What surprises me more is when my plan falls apart, or I do--and I sit back--and realize that I can't be in control...that's not my job.  The most shocking part is when I let go--how perfectly everything comes together--even more perfectly than I would have planned.  Like the saying goes--'everything happens for a reason.'

So here's to being a little less 'type-a', a little more open to changing my route more often, and to that indescribable feeling you get after a long run.