I used to be a runner. It was my peace and my solace. I used to figure things out on the road until an injury forced me to hang up my running shoes about five years ago. And then a few months back, I had the idea to return to my favorite sport and talked a friend into training for the Twin Cities 10k. We found a very reasonable training plan online and began the two-month training regimen for the race. I was so excited to get back to it. My fav sport was back and, this time for good. A 10k this year, next year a half marathon! The next ten years would be full of destination marathons and running with friends.

Not really. One month in, while on a morning run, my feet decided that my fifty (something) year old body wasn’t up for running on the sand. One month and a foot surgery later, I have been forced to slow down, a lot.

It was super stressful at first, but two weeks into it, I am finding a huge blessing in seeing more of what is going on around me. Looking and listening to my husband when he speaks and actually seeing people’s faces when I am out in the world. Asking questions about other people’s day and life, and actually listening to their answers.

There is a lot to be said for burning the candle at both ends. I have done it my entire life until a little mishap sat me down. While devastated at first, I am now seeing that it may be one of the best things that has happened to me in a while.