Your cart is currently empty!
How Running Taught Me the Meaning of Being Enough
I used to dream of having one of those “26.2” stickers that adorn the back windows of cars, often nestled beside “My Kid is an Honor Roll Student.” Unfortunately, my car doesn’t boast any running stickers, and, on that note, I lack the honor roll sticker too.
I wouldn’t call myself competitive; in fact, I’m not particularly athletic. As a child, I was frequently the last one chosen during gym class for team sports. However, as I grew older, I discovered running, and it became a personal competition, mainly against myself, to the point where some might describe it as obsessive. For years, I viewed my running as a means of survival—until one day I realized that just showing up could be enough.
After years of running through small towns, much like Forrest Gump, my body eventually began to protest. Despite numerous injuries, countless co-pays, and frequent visits to the chiropractor, I couldn’t bring myself to quit running. Reflecting on it now, I’m not sure if I was running toward something or fleeing from it.
Following a run, especially when I was nursing an injury, I often found myself saying, “I guess that was good enough.” But “good enough” felt like a defeat, a goal just out of reach. My self-worth became entangled with my running success, or lack thereof. “Good enough” wasn’t good at all. It pushed me to endure pain and exacerbate injuries, even when my body screamed for a break. It fueled an obsession with perfection, where failure simply wasn’t an option.
Recently, something shifted in my mindset. Just last week, I decided to lace up my shoes without a specific goal in mind—no route planned, no distance to achieve. I stepped out of my driveway and turned right, running without a destination. In the past, I would fixate on my feet to perfect my stride and constantly check my watch for pace and distance. But last week, for the first time, I looked up. Running transformed into an expression of gratitude for what my body could achieve, rather than a race against time or my own perceived inadequacies.
I ran four miles, and for the first time, I didn’t think, “that was good enough.” Instead, it was simply enough—no qualifications needed. I was enough.
While I still don’t have that coveted 26.2 sticker, I feel as though I’ve reached a point in my life where I can be content with just showing up. This is a place where I feel proud, confident, strong, and immensely grateful for what my body can accomplish. My efforts are enough. Like my journey, understanding this took time, unfolding at a pace I could handle. I’ll get there when I get there, and that will be enough.
For more insights on family building and self-insemination, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination. If you’re interested in exploring your fertility journey, learn more about the couples’ fertility journey for intracervical insemination. And for more information on privacy, you can read our privacy policy here.
Summary
In this reflective piece, Ava Thompson shares her journey of self-discovery through running. From a place of competition and self-doubt, she learns to appreciate the act of running for what it is—an expression of gratitude for her body, rather than a race against unattainable standards. Ultimately, she embraces the idea that simply showing up is enough.