Everybody gets knocked down

So here I am at 19 years old. I'm about to run the last race of my 2005 cross country season and basically my last race for about 5 years. I just stopped running. Of course a lot of things came up like school, work, and relationships. These are all important things to me but what I didn't realize was how much I love running. What made me realize it was when I stopped and saw that I was at my lowest. I gained almost 20 pounds and had taken on a few bad habits. I was depressed. It isn't just my lack of running that added to it but the various sucker punches life likes to throw at us. I am in such a state right now where I've been blindsided and knocked down. I'm just kind of laying there and trying to figure out if I should get back up or not.

Number 83

The sucker punch for me was not getting into a nursing school. I found out about this over the past week. I've already been demoralized after seeing some of my classmates, that are my age, becoming full fledged RNs and working in hospitals. I just kept trying and trying but my efforts don't appear to get me anywhere. And to top it all off, I'm sick as well. This cold has kept me from running and that's not helping at all. I wish I was able to find that "spark" inside me that always reminds me to get back up.

Running a race a couple of weeks ago

I am a runner once again. Or rather, I've always been a runner but have been dormant for some time. Although I am sick right now, I will lace up my shoes and run no matter what. Even though I may lost my way as far as my future is concerned, running will remain a norm for me. This is what gives me my "spark." Sometimes, while i'm in the middle of my run, I'll ask myself "Why did I stop doing this!?" This list goes on about how running benefits people. For me, I feel mentally and physically stronger. And ready to take life's sucker punches. I know it's kind of cheesy but I'm reminded for a Nike commercial ("The Human Chain" and it's on youtube). "Everybody get's knocked down, how quick are you gonna get up?" I don't know if it's a question of "quickness" but I think getting back up no matter what is what's important.

My biggest fans

"Just ran a 4 mile race, had a big meal, and about to go to work."