Today, I was seriously tired. I didn’t sleep well the night before and spent most of the day running all over town—chasing down neon green for my daughter’s 80s-themed school swim photos, picking up one kid early from school for a dental checkup, and oh yeah, also working from home in between all of that.

Honestly, I wasn’t planning on going for a run, let alone running outside. The weekend had been unusually cool, and I spent most of it outside watching my son play baseball wearing a heated jacket, gloves, and a winter hat, and the chill still hadn’t quite worn off. But with it being my one night off from kid activities, I figured I might as well push myself and make it happen. I mean, what was the alternative? Binge-watching The Golden Girls and snacking on whatever salty goodness I could find in my pantry?

When I reached the track, I opened up the Nike Run Club app on my phone and noticed a new featured run: “Two Hard, One Easy,” which included 28 minutes of fartlek intervals. Running hard for two minutes alternating with one minute of easy running. Hmmm… hadn’t I just been telling myself I needed to work on my speed? It felt like perfect timing for this run to pop up on my feed. I hit start and settled in as the running coach’s voice began to guide me through the workout.

Could I do it? Yes.

Would I do it? …….*crickets*

As I started the first lap, my knees protested with every step, scolding me for skipping the stretch and demanding to know what happened to their “warm-up.” I pushed the complaints aside as I found my rhythm, and slowly, the thought began to form that maybe, just maybe, I could actually stick with this run. After all, the hardest part was already behind me—the decision to get out the door.

I was proud of myself. I was following this run to a tee! Running every 2 minutes at full speed when the coach said to, slowing only slightly when he counted me down to the slower pace of a recovery run. Not gonna lie, it was hard. If I didn’t want to prove to myself that I could do it, I probably wouldn’t have. I could feel my lungs filling with air and began to feel like a fish out of water gasping for breath near the end of every two minute fartlek.

As the final moments approached, a wave of pride spread through me like wildfire, igniting every cell in my body. Sure, this might have been a breeze for some, but for me, it sparked a deep sense of accomplishment. I refused to give up, pushing through my breathlessness while battling the powerful Kansas wind with every step. I could feel it in my body too. I knew that I pushed myself and felt it in my legs and in my lungs.

I realized that this run had taught me more than just how to push through physical discomfort. In those moments of struggle, I found clarity, and I couldn’t help but reflect on the lessons I’d learned along the way.

Here are five things I took away from my run:

1. Be Bold
   • On the days when you’re just not feeling it, try something different. Breaking out of the ordinary can shake you out of the monotony and often helps you push toward your goals in ways you didn’t expect.
2. Don’t Give Up
   • The one person you should never give up on is yourself. You deserve to experience all the good things life has to offer. Whether you’re not the fastest runner (or even if you’re more of a slow walker), keep going. Every step forward counts.
3. Be Consistent
   • Half the battle in life is simply showing up. Read that again. Whether it’s a run, a project, or even a relationship, consistency builds momentum. It’s not about being perfect every time; it’s about showing up, even on the days when you’re not feeling your best. The results will follow, even if they’re gradual.
4. Embrace Discomfort
   • Growth doesn’t happen when we stay in our comfort zones. Pushing through discomfort, whether it’s physical exhaustion or mental doubt, is where real progress occurs. Each moment of struggle makes you stronger, both on and off the track.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins
   • It’s easy to overlook small victories, but every step you take is a step toward your goal. Whether it’s finishing your run or simply showing up, take time to acknowledge and celebrate those little wins. They add up to something much bigger over time.

I decided to cool down with a walk around the parking lot because, let’s be real, my legs burned, I was exhausted, and the cool air had me coughing like crazy. But despite all of that, I still felt a sense of pride and was actually starting to get excited for the upcoming 5K this weekend. As I turned to head back to my car, I noticed the sunset behind me. I smiled and shook my head a little. It was beautiful without even trying to be. It existed happily as it was.

The sunset wasn’t trying to compete with anything. It didn’t need validation or recognition—it simply existed, in all its glory, exactly as it was. There’s something profound about that, don’t you think? How something can just be and still hold so much beauty. It didn’t need to be more or less than it was, and in that moment, I realized—neither do I.

I finished my run feeling like a rockstar… until I looked up and realized the sun had stolen my thunder. But honestly? I’m not even mad. Turns out, there’s room in the sky for more than one kind of glow. And sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is exist, just as you are, without needing to be anything more.