Earlier this week I found a reminder of my achievements 11 years ago, when I was just starting to run again. I remember getting on the treadmill at therapy and running as long as I could trying to hang on a little bit longer every day. It wasn’t more than a few minutes back then, but it felt like miles to me, until one day I ran for eight minutes. After not being able to walk, running for eight minutes felt like running a marathon.

I just started my third week of running with my coach Freddy. This week I was ready to see if I could make it to 12 laps running and walking, but he gave me a new challenge. Instead of running, walking, running and then walking again each lap, he asked me to do eight laps, running half, then walking the other half.

When he first told me, I had mixed feelings; I did want to run a little bit longer but it seemed like I would get tired really fast. I quickly learned that I liked it better because I didn’t have to concentrate on what to do next so quickly and I felt faster, I probably wasn’t but it felt that way. Since I didn’t have to concentrate on when to stop and start so quickly, it was easier to keep track of the laps. 

I still sometimes feel like I want to keep running when I get to the point where I’m supposed to walk, but then I realize that that’s not going to help me. I can’t rush into it, it hasn’t even been a month since I started so I should just stay calm and listen to what my coach says.

I’ve learned over the last twelve years that sometimes you have to take things slow and don’t rush yourself. The things you take your time to learn, do better and struggle to earn, are the things you value more and are proudest of. Took some time but I’m proud of myself for starting this again, for getting back to what I struggled so much with 12 years ago for, I’m not going to ruin it by rushing into it. I also have to remember I have to wake up early and go to work in the morning so I can’t overdo it on weeknights. I was very tired this morning and had to rush to make it to work on time. 

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Published by mariacristinasanfeliu

I’m an aspiring writer still looking for exactly what I want to write about, with a lot of creativity, imagination and desire to write. I studied Writing and Rhetoric at Syracuse University where I explored many different sides of writing through my classes and extracurricular activities in order to narrow my search for an identity as a writer. I have written for Citrus TV Noticias and La Voz magazine, both of which gave me the chance to explore different mediums in which to write in. Through Citrus TV Noticias I also gained experience in translating from English to Spanish and vice versa, which is also something that I would be interested in working on since I am fluent in both of these languages. I was also an intern at Syracuse University Press where I got hands on experience in what goes into actually editing and publishing a book. Through out the last four years I have faced a lot of challenges, which helped chape the person I am today. After being in a tragic car accident, being in comma, having a Traumatic Brain Injury, and being in therapy for over a year, I am a new me, willing to face challenges and knowing how to deal with them. I want to write about my accident and life after it to help others, show them it can be done and help in any way I can.

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