Finding Strength in Challenges
I hope everyone had a strong finish to their academic year! Since my last update, a lot has happened, and I want to share a quick recap and, hopefully, a little encouragement. This past March, I ran my first half marathon of 2025! My goal is to run one per quarter, so I’m now in the midst of training for my second. For this race, I took on the Bearathon in Waco, TX, hosted by Baylor University. Known as the toughest half marathon in Texas because of its relentless hills, I knew it would be a challenge. I trained intentionally, focusing on hills and even joining a running club to prepare. Going into the race, I felt strong and confident. But those hills? They were stronger. Honestly, it felt like there were no downhill stretches—just an endless uphill battle in both directions! The race also had a lot of younger participants, mostly college students, which pushed me to stay consistent and focus on my own pace. (It’s always Me vs. Me.) Despite the grueling course, I successfully crossed the finish line. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but it reminded me that I am capable of tackling tough challenges. Will I run the Bearathon again? Probably not. But I am proud of proving to myself that I can do hard things.
Just three days after that 13.1-mile race, I was invited to throw the first pitch at a softball game between our two high schools. I practiced with a fantastic student coach and felt ready. But while I nailed the strike, I tore my calf muscle. I heard and felt the pop. It’s wild to think that I could complete a half marathon unscathed but get injured throwing a pitch! That setback sidelined me for all of April. I didn’t bounce back as quickly as I’d hoped, and I struggled with staying disciplined. I stopped doing the little things—hydrating, eating clean, and even maintaining upper-body strength training. Falling out of my routine was frustrating, and it took me a while to recover. During that downtime, I realized something important: I feel better when I work out. Exercise motivates me to eat and hydrate better, too. By May, I finally regained my rhythm. I ran a 5K with my family—three generations participating together—and completed the “24 in 24,” where you run one mile every hour for 24 hours. The 24 in 24 was exhausting (staying up all night running is no joke!), but it was incredibly rewarding. Running the 5K with my children and mom? That was priceless. These are the moments that fuel me. When I model healthy habits, my family joins in, and when I stumble, they encourage me. It’s a beautiful full-circle moment.
Getting back into my routine has been a struggle, but it has also been a blessing. I feel more balanced, less stressed, and better equipped to manage life. As we head into summer, I challenge both you and myself to be intentional about our choices. For me, summer is the perfect time to refocus and recommit. It feels like the close of one year and the start of another as we gear up for the fall.
I’ve made some commitments to myself for the rest of 2025, and for accountability, I’m sharing them here:
Complete four half marathons, including one international.
Run one full marathon.
Achieve a 5K time of 30 minutes or less.
Whatever your fitness goals, I encourage you to write them down and share them with a friend or colleague. Accountability can make all the difference. For me, these goals go beyond physical health. Staying active helps me spend meaningful time with my family and serve as a better leader at work. Taking care of my body has shaped me in ways that extend far beyond fitness.
So, how will you #InspireExcellence for yourself for the rest of this year?
#RunningSupt
