madison

Something that’s been bothering me while watching gymnastics.. I’ve watched the male and female competitions and what made me so angry is how it differs (I’m sure it’s a must, but I don’t get why). It made me feel like that for the male competitors it is all about their technique, as for the females it was their technique AND how they looked (make-up, outfit..) AND the music AND the little dance when doing a routine on the floor exercise. WHYYYY. I know little about this sport (only that it’s hardcore and awesome), so excuse me if this rant was out of place.

I totally get you and my mom does too. She was actually ranting about it last night. She used to compete or rather train from when she was 5 to 12 and never actually went to tournament because she hated it. Especially the part where you constantly had to smile and stick out your but. She much rather would have focused more on strength and when she switched to track and field at the age of 12 she was so much happier, even though they had to train every day except Sundays and even in the winter. And a major reason for that is because the focus was on hard work, talent and strength/speed etc and not on looks for boys and girls alike. So, I totally get your rant and it’s something that needs to be changed! (i also feel the country that majorly focused on looks and smiles was the US but maybe that’s just my German bias ;))

Yeah, it’s incredible. Did you hear about the German gymnast who despite rupturing his uhm cruciate ligaments while performing on the floor and still performed on the horse (is it also called horse in English?) despite the pain? I was totally blown away. Oh and the US gymnastic team is just awesome, I’m just glad our girls even got to the final, super proud 😊

I love being a runner. I groan every morning when my alarm goes off way too early - I’ve never been able to get up easily. Then I force myself to drink a ton of water because it’s going to be hot and humid, even though it’s early. If I’ll be running for more than an hour, I force myself to eat a little something despite not being hungry yet or even fully awake. The first few miles are usually the hardest because I have to settle in, but then it clicks and everything fades from reality except the moment and I love that. Feeling nothing and everything all at once. I love hearing my watch beep and knowing I’m one mile closer (or further, as the case may be), even if I can hardly see because I’m sweating so much. I love passing by other runners and nodding or waving in solidarity. I love exploring new roads and trails and noticing things I would never see in a car, in places I would never be if I weren’t running. I love when every worry, stress, or fear I have vanishes because it’s just me and the dirt or the pavement. The longer I run for the higher the sun gets, the bigger the hills start to look, the more tired my legs get, the more tempting every single sprinkler begins to look. But I love the struggle; I love the fight; I love to get stronger. I love every minute of it. Getting home and knowing I just ran 6, 8, 10, 12, etc. miles before the rest of the world has made breakfast is a special feeling. The world is infinitely clearer and more beautiful to me after I’ve gotten my run in, even if the rest of the day is full of ice, painful foam rolling, lots of stretching, being ravenous, and already feeling sore. Running makes me feel strong and confident and capable. Running provides community and structure, which I am even more grateful for now that I am 3,000+ miles away from what used to be home. I love knowing that no matter what is going on in my life, I have my next run to look forward to. I love being a runner.

nailed it

i love this. love whatever you do

You are so used to your features, you don’t know how beautiful you look to a stranger.

I am a runner because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits high or completely devastate me, yet I line up anyways

There should be a runner Tinder… instead of dating it’s for finding a running buddy

“Trust your training and do all the workouts but most importantly, trust yourself. You can do it. It’s a mental sport and you need to break out of those shackles that are holding you back from being the runner you want to be. You have the power, you have the form, you have the heart now all you need to do is set yourself free.”