Tuesday Topics: Favorite Gifts

By | January 15, 2019

The prompt for this week’s edition of this wonderful new linkup is: “What were your favorite gifts you received over the holidays?” I already touched on that, so I’m shifting it slightly

Linking up with Kim and Zenaida to share my favorite gifts that running has given me:

  • Extending my comfort zone. I’m not going to say the world outside my comfort zone as I hit that at 21 when I moved to Japan without knowing a soul. But while I knew I could walk long distances and loved it, running has taught me about my inner strength. I can do so much more than I ever imagined. It seems like each race, or even each training week I’m learning something new about myself.

NYRR walls

  • Self confidence. because I’ve seen that I can do things, I have confidence to try bigger, better, more. I was a few weeks out from my first 5K when I went for a 10K at a friend’s encouragement. It was less than a year after starting to run and before I’d even run a 15K that I signed up for my first Half Marathon.
  • Amazing people. As I mentioned, I’m not the best with big groups but I love the community in the various LinkUps. So much good advice, so many wonderful people. This year alone I was lucky to meet Darlene, Liz and Judy and I hope to meet more of you in 2019. It has also introduced me to new people “live”. A new colleague was wearing a Boston fleece during a work happy hour and while we’re not so big that I wouldn’t have met him eventually, it gave us something to talk about. And now we have an office run group. I went to a beginners’ running Meetup and while that group went the way of many Meetups, I’m still in touch with one of the people I met who has come to be a good friend.

Workout in a skirt

  • Body confidence is a beautiful thing. From finally racing in shorts to realizing the magic of SkirtSports. Running has changed who I am, but also how I see myself. It seems superficial, but in so many ways it is the best gift. Coral shoes, pink skirt. Why not?!

What gifts did running give you?

What gifts did you get or give yourself over the holidays?

16 thoughts on “Tuesday Topics: Favorite Gifts

  1. kookyrunner

    I totally agree with everything that you mentioned. Running does give me a sense of self confidence, especially when i complete a really hard long run or race. Running has also connected me with some really amazing people!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yes. Latter especially today with the teamwork with so many cold, frozen runners

      Reply
  2. Chocolaterunsjudy

    Body confidence is not at all superficial. Of course you have to love the insides, but that often starts with loving the outsides.

    Running has definitely taught me many things, not the least being that we are all capable of so much more than we think we are.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yep and they tie together too. Comfort rocking pink for me means more healthy food choices

      Reply
  3. Deborah Brooks

    The people and the community that running has brought into my life is just priceless. I honestly don’t know what I would be doing with all of my time without my running friends. That, and good health!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      YES on both. Absolute shades of Wicked’s For Good, one of my favorites for many reasons

      Reply
  4. Kimberly Hatting

    We definitely were thinking on the same wave length 😉 Like you, running has gifted me in numerous ways…confidence, persistence, endurance and so much gratitude.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      When I saw we’d both gone off topic in the same way I knew we had the right idea

      Reply
  5. Liz Dexter

    This is lovely and it was indeed brilliant to meet this year – although we’ve known each other well over a decade through books, running definitely brought us closer. I also love the self-confidence I get from running, the many friends, and the community in general. Plus as someone who likes to volunteer a lot, it’s brought me the opportunity to serve my community in a fun and interesting way!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yes. I was so grateful to the volunteers in today’s vile weather, it reminded me that I need to do more than the mandated one.
      And yes — all the ties that bind

      Reply
  6. Renée (Pinky) (@runlaugheatpie)

    love this so much Cari! and I agree with you on your points! especially about shorts!! I wouldn’t wear shorts anywhere and finally about 3 years ago I just started wearing them and haven’t turned back!! confidence is a beautiful gift from running.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yep. When I bought a pair for a trip last February I assumed I’d only wear them out of town. Then I found myself wearing them for low key errands and eventually racing. Amazing how we learn to see ourselves

      Reply
  7. Darlene

    Confidence is the best gift anyone could give.

    Friendships is number two.

    Running has given me both.

    Reply

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