“You birthed three babies!” Jason says, his arm brushing mine.
These are his go-to words when I’m nervous, scared, sad. Anything less than Strong.
I lean into his nudges and match his steps and raise my cheeks just a titch his way. But my thoughts are inside, my words are silent.
My own go-to response when I’m out of my comfort zone.
The day is golden, crisp. Leaves in the brightest shades of red and orange and yellow crunch beneath our sneakered feet as we make our way to the Start Line.
We pass people in ridiculously creative costumes. Fairies. Grapes. Dominoes. Binders. Refrigerators.
A Wonder Woman stretches, her arm resting on her partner’s shoulder. Super Man, of course. Her deeply red lips and blushed cheeks perfectly match her top, her tights, her Happy.
A tall man in a tutu adjusts his ear buds. A Mario finds his counterparts. A group of girls dressed as football players make their way to the center of the group. Their long ponytails glint in the sun, swirl in the breeze.
“You’ve got this.” He says, brushes his lips against mine, and readies to go.
Jason and I ran our first 5k this weekend. I was proud and excited and oh so very Ready, but mostly, Nervous.
I stood by his side adjusting my own ear buds, finding my own space.
And I think, that’s what drummed my heart and quieted my words and made my thoughts so, so very loud.
I spent my teens and much of my twenties finding my grounding, my push, my Self.
But these last ten years, when I married and birthed and mothered, I spent braiding mySelf to Jason.
Each baby, each decision, each step tightening our thread and our hold, but loosening what I thought, what I knew, I could do by myself.
But running this race? Was just for me.
When the unseen woman with the megaphone yelled our Go, I heard it over my music, above my nerves. Go, go, go.
And when everyone did, one step in front of the other, so did I.
I found my stride, my space, my breath, and I ran. Many people passed me, and I passed many more than I thought I would.
Jason finished, and was waiting at the end. “You did it!” He said, cheeks flushed, arms wrapped around my waist.
I smiled, fully, into his chest, and breathed in my Known again.
This is the weave that I’m learning, the fit that I’m finding.
On my own and by his side. For us and for me. Comfort zone and just outside of.
It’s a good place to be, and a good Known to let shine.
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Congratulations, Galit! I’m addicted to 5Ks now, although I have yet to run an entire race (only on the treadmill so far). It’s only for me, and love that you do it for you. And by doing that, you’re an incredible role model.
Bravo Galit! You look so happy, and for good reason! I’m so glad you are making the time for YOU!
Congrats! My DH is a running addict and swears I would love it – I’m still skeptical. But you make it look like fun! And the sense of accomplishment must be a great high!
Congratulations!! That is such an accomplishment!!
I’m so, so very proud of you my friend. xo
I am so proud of you! You did it! You ARE strong! We are all strong – but working toward a goal like that and meeting the goal is always such a great reminder – especially when the challenge is a physical one. Yay for you! xo
Oh how I love your writing! I soaked in your beautiful captivating words and felt like I was right there with you…facing your fears and finding your “known” while balancing on the edge of your comfort zone. What an AMAZING experience for you and what a victory!!! It’s truly these things that make us shine from within… a newfound piece of strength to hold as your own. YAY!
I love that you are finding your fit! Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone into other places. You are inspiring your children (and us) with each step. Galit, truly, you inspire. Always. So glad you got pictures!
Congratulations! I love how you describe the Known, the comfort zone and just outside – these are things that I really relate to in my experience. Love the photos – you look so happy!
I am so proud of you!!! And I am always in awe of how you turn your life into such beautiful stories. Awesome job, friend!!
” I spent braiding mySelf to Jason.” And astounding thought. I love that. And you are awesome. Congrats on your race. Looked like a beautiful day and you looked like an old pro.
Congratulations! You wrote this so beautifully I might even consider a 5K in my future!
Great job, Galit!! I’m so proud of you!! You’ll be hooked…I bet you’re already thinking about running another one, right?
And yes, YOU are strong
Love you and love this post. Ryan and I run races together sometimes, but we never run “together” as in next to each other at the same pace. They’re my moments, and I don’t have many of them, but I cherish those little pockets of me very, very much.
OH GALIT, I”M SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!! Yes, that needed all caps. Now maybe you have the running bug, yes? I hope so, I love it so much. And yay for you and Jason doing it together. Y’all are the sweetest.
xoxoxo
Congratulations on your first 5k!!!
That is a wonderful accomplishment and I know that you’re family is just as proud of you as we all are!
I am SO PROUD of and so proud to call you my friend! Good job!
You are so awesome! xoxoxo
Congrats on your first 5 K,Galit !
Holy cow 5K?! That is just wonderful. Way to go
Congrats, girl. Woo hoo for success! Sending much love.
I love that you called this your FIRST 5K.
That word “first” speaks volumes about your strength.
About your plans for “you.”
Go, girl. Go.
Galit, Way to go girl!!! I am so proud of you and so happy for you. You have worked hard and you did it!!! Yeah! You are an incredible mother, wife and friend. You Rock
Congratulations! What a wonderful thing to be a part of. Am I sensing that one won’t be the last? You will be such an inspiration to your kids, I just know it. Have they already asked when THEY get to do it too? I bet they have! Good job, momma!
You did it! Wow!
This victory gives me courage.
You did it! I have goosebumps for you and I so relate to this post. It is so easy to lose our identity to life after marriage and kids and it is hard to step out of the comfort zone and do things just for us. But you did it.
You did such a lovely job retelling and letting us see your vulernability. Proud of you for your strength and courage! Well done.
Congratulations! I ran my first 5K 5 years ago and I’m addicted to the rush of running now. I am running a huge relay race next weekend. It always feels so good! You did a great job!
Congrats!!! I’ve walked a 5K. But never run one. I might die.
Kick ass, Galit! So very proud of you.
“Comfort zone and just outside of.” A brilliant place to be. Congratulations.
Galit, I love that you and Jason ran the race together and the start and finish, but that you knew the journey was your own. This is a beautiful story. Proud of you! Running 5ks are hard, and yet you feel like you’re part of something larger with so many running beside you! Congratulations!
I’m so, so happy for you! Amazing feeling, right?! I’ve heard marathons are 20 times more meaningfully deep and known finding!!! (hint, hint to you and to me) Awesome, awesome job, my beautiful friend!!!
This “When the unseen woman with the megaphone yelled our Go, I heard it over my music, above my nerves. Go, go, go.” I heard and FELT this.
I hope you’re so proud. Because this is something to be proud of. You are a wonderful, strong, determined woman.
Congratulations!! So excited for you and what a wonderful recap! The Monster Dash was a pretty amazing event.
You are awesome. Strong. Inspiring! XO
I am so proud of you, Galit! I can just imagine the happiness you felt as you crossed the finish line!
Lots of hard work and big accomplishments. So much to be proud of.
You look amazing. Well done, Galit!
What I think I love the most is that you got to share this with your husband. I remember my first run so well – it was also a costume event, but I was too nervous to dress up! Congrats, I bet you will catch the running bug too. I predict a half marathon in your future.
Beautiful, beautiful post! I found your blog after you commented on mine…and I’m so glad you did because now I’ve discovered your beautiful voice! Congratulations on your first 5k. I say “first” because I have a feeling you will run another…and maybe another after that!
Coincidentally, I’m planning to run my first 5k sometime in the next few months. I’ve run 6 marathons and 10 or so half-marathons but NEVER a 5k! I’ve always thought it sounded too hard.
Best of all was that you ran it with your husband. What an awesome thing to share with him…and yet also to do it on your own. Congrats again!!
What a great story. I might want to be a runner when I grow up. (I’m almost 53). What a great husband to be so encouraging! Thank you for honestly sharing your story. Inspiring! And thank you for your comment on my driving post. I’m thinking you have a ways yet till you have to deal with that. Enjoy while you can!
Yay! What a great thing to do for yourself. Congrats!
Yay! wahoo for you! Awesome run. Want to know something? I’ve never run a 5K. Maybe one day? Thanks for the inspiration lady!
So happy for you Galit!! You go girl!
Oh, this makes me smile! Go, you!
WOOOH! That is so exciting and impressive and only you can make a post like this so heartfelt.
Yay you!
Galit!!! I am so very proud of you!! This put such a huge smile on my face because of your brilliant smile beaming from the page. I love that this race was just for you. We need to moments and those reminders of how strong we really are inside and out.
Bravo!! xoxo
Love this! Such a beautiful of way expressing what this running thing means to you. And congratulations on your first 5K! It just gets better!
You are AWESOME! I love your beginning (you birthed three babies) and your ending (outside our comfort zones is a good place to be). So inspiring. I agree that we need to remind ourselves of the things we can do outside motherhood, but even when we are pursuing our non-mothering dreams, we are sending messages to our children about achievement, persistence, confidence, and goals setting. I bet your family is so proud. I have never been athletic and never been a runner, but I have dreams to try this myself, once my leg is healed!
Congratulations Galit! I’m very happy that you did this just for you.
congrats! i have been wanting to run a 5k or really even to the mailbox forever. now, i must know your secret. seriously, congrats.