Yesterday I set out to run 20 miles!

I was experiencing all the normal hormonal fluctuations that come with this time of the month, but I did it anyway and somewhere around mile 15 of a 20-mile run, my left glute finally decided to activate.

Yet somehow, I found myself smiling.

Because instead of focusing on what my body wasn’t doing perfectly, I was overwhelmed by gratitude for what it was doing.

For years, I’ve heard the warnings.

“Just wait until perimenopause.”

“Everything changes.”

“You won’t be able to do what you used to do.”

Maybe some of that is true. But yesterday, all I could think was:

How amazing is it that I get to do this?

I got to wake up and prepare for a 20-mile run.

I got to move my body.

I got to challenge myself.

I got to experience soreness, fatigue, and growth because I was healthy enough to be out there trying.

And for the record, after six kids, hormonal fluctuations, a 20-mile training run, and four miles still left to go… I didn’t even pee my pants.

That’s worth celebrating too.

Last weekend, I ran a half marathon in 1:56.

And I was happy with it.

Not because it was perfect, but because I remember a version of myself who couldn’t have imagined running like this again.

Who wasn’t dreaming about half marathons, long runs, strength training, recovery, and all the beautiful ordinary things that make up my life today.

People love to ask, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

The truth is, healing and running have taught me something different.

Stay where your feet are.

Live in the present.

Five years from now isn’t promised.

But if I had to answer, my goal is simple:

I want to be healthy enough to keep doing the things I love.

I want to stay active.

I want to keep showing up for myself.

I want to run at least one half marathon and one full marathon every year.

Not because of the medals.

Not because of the finish times.

Because movement is a gift.

Because health is a gift.

Because being able to do hard things is a gift.

Yesterday, at mile 15, with a cranky glute, hormonal fluctuations, and four miles still to run, I realized something:

This body has carried me through so much.

And yesterday, it carried me through 20 miles.

That’s not something I take for granted.

It’s something I’m deeply grateful for.