I participate in a lot of different physical activities. I hike in nature, I practice hot yoga, Pilates, and lift weights. I used to jog regularly and even completed 16 marathons in my 40s.
My first marathon was a day before my 40th birthday. After 6 months of training, following the jog-walk method of five minutes jogging and one minute walking, I was so close to the end. I was getting emotional and being a San Franciscan running the marathon in San Francisco, I was proud and surprised at myself the whole time. It was like I was outside my body watching myself jog to the finish line.
At mile 23 and a half I burst into tears. I’m not certain how or why this occurred but it was my a-ha moment. I remember watching Oprah cross her first marathon finish line when she was 40 and saying to myself, “When I’m 40 I’ll have enough endurance, wisdom, and stamina to do this, just like Oprah.”
The tears flowed as a combination of pride, joy, and euphoria that I actually completed something very little do, and at a later age than other athletes. I cried at the love for my city and the crowd cheering me on even though they didn’t know me. I cried because I was having a milestone moment. I cried because it was like giving birth for the first time, with tears, pain, salt, sweat, and soreness to follow. I cried because I saw my youngest child, Sage, age 2, a few blocks away afterwards, handing out at a gas station in the back of Daddy’s van singing, “Mama won the marathon,” when she saw my necklace, tee shirt, and food in hand. They looked like awards and prizes to her.
I cried because I realized that my love of exercise was influencing my children and that was a good thing. And, yes, I did feel like I won the marathon.
I hope this helps you, dear readers.
Sincerely,
KJ Landis
Author and Creator of the Superior Self series
Visit me at www.superiorselfwithkjlandis.com
SuperiorSelf channel on YouTube and Twitter and Instagram
My first marathon was a day before my 40th birthday. After 6 months of training, following the jog-walk method of five minutes jogging and one minute walking, I was so close to the end. I was getting emotional and being a San Franciscan running the marathon in San Francisco, I was proud and surprised at myself the whole time. It was like I was outside my body watching myself jog to the finish line.
At mile 23 and a half I burst into tears. I’m not certain how or why this occurred but it was my a-ha moment. I remember watching Oprah cross her first marathon finish line when she was 40 and saying to myself, “When I’m 40 I’ll have enough endurance, wisdom, and stamina to do this, just like Oprah.”
The tears flowed as a combination of pride, joy, and euphoria that I actually completed something very little do, and at a later age than other athletes. I cried at the love for my city and the crowd cheering me on even though they didn’t know me. I cried because I was having a milestone moment. I cried because it was like giving birth for the first time, with tears, pain, salt, sweat, and soreness to follow. I cried because I saw my youngest child, Sage, age 2, a few blocks away afterwards, handing out at a gas station in the back of Daddy’s van singing, “Mama won the marathon,” when she saw my necklace, tee shirt, and food in hand. They looked like awards and prizes to her.
I cried because I realized that my love of exercise was influencing my children and that was a good thing. And, yes, I did feel like I won the marathon.
I hope this helps you, dear readers.
Sincerely,
KJ Landis
Author and Creator of the Superior Self series
Visit me at www.superiorselfwithkjlandis.com
SuperiorSelf channel on YouTube and Twitter and Instagram
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