Walking on Wednesdays ~ Great Friends Who Encourage Us Not to Give Up

Just when we find it difficult to continue, just when we are about to give up, up steps a friend to encourage us to keep going. Just this morning, I was at the point I thought giving up was the best way to go forward. Stress, worry, and uncertainty got the best of me. It was a small gift I received recently that changed my whole day.

About a week and a half ago, a dear friend, whom I 'met' online first and then have only had the pleasure once to see in person, sent me a little something in the mail. It is an arm band to house your MP3 player while you run. 

She made it for me, she wanted to try a new pattern. I was happy to be the guinea pig really, because when I don't have on my new running pants with the pockets for such things, I have to hold my mp3 player in my hand. Along with my phone, and the leash, this is really annoying. 

I got it in the mail, and sadly it sat for a few days untried. Then she sent me a note asking about it. She noted how she sent it for encouragement and wondered how it fit and how I liked it. Well, I was so touched, I don't know why it didn't occur to me that she was encouraging me to keep running! I was so caught up in the stresses of my life, I didn't take the time to realize my friend reached out and was helping me. 

After the first use, I was hooked. It is perfect. It holds the my little Walkman in just the right place that it doesn't interfere with the dog leash, and I don't accidentally get my arm caught up in the wires and pull the ear bud right off my ear. (this happens regularly when in the pocket of my pants.) I put it on, and essentially forget about it and just enjoy the music, which helps me get through the run!  

Today, as I mentioned, it was particularly difficult for me to get out the door. I am heavy with worry and stress, and that saps almost all my energy. I honestly didn't know how I would find the energy to run. But I had planned to write about this great armband today, and I just wasn't feeling it, so I HAD to get out there and use it to be able to write about it. I forced myself to go, knowing I would be helping my friend by sharing her talent. 

Slipping on the armband, getting my shoes on, the dog so happy we were going she got in her submissive mode, I was actually dreading the run. Once I got the music going, I decided I would at least walk, and if I was walking I would get some extra hills in. Well, after the first hill I decided I should run on the flatter parts, and the second hill I ran up, and by the 3rd hill I decided I would go ahead and running my normal route, meaning the distance would be longer. 

At the beginning of the workout, I was on the verge of tears feeling like I just couldn't keep going on with the amount of stress I was enduring, and by the end I was pushing myself to go farther and harder than usual. What would I do if I just gave up? I would have nothing then, nothing after coming so far. I decided then that giving up was not an option. I would just push harder.

Without the arm band, without my friend's encouragement, I may have just stayed in this morning, feeling like giving up. But I wanted to share her wonderful creation, to write about it and help her, but really, she was the one helping me. 

It was her small gesture that helped me realize that giving it all I've got it what I needed to do. A great friend, who ultimately encouraged me not to give up. Bet she didn't even guess her little gesture would do so much. Thank you Frauke.

If you would like an armband of your own, please contact my friend Frauke.  It may just get you to give it all you've got.