I’ll be honest—I haven’t been excited about running lately. Usually, it’s my time to clear my head, get some space, and just be in my own headspace. But recently, it felt like I was just going through the motions—worrying about work, my family in the Philippines especially my mom, my health, and everything else in between. Even when I did make time for a run, my mind wouldn’t let me enjoy it. I was focused on everything but the run itself.
There are days when I feel downright lazy, when it feels easier to just stay on the couch or binge-watch something than to get out there. I’ll make excuses about being too tired or too busy—anything to avoid running. It’s something we all do, right? But on those days, I remind myself that it’s not about being perfect; it’s about showing up, even when it’s hard or when the motivation isn’t there.
Then, I realized that the best thing I can do is just show up. It wasn’t until one run, when I had that familiar feeling of “I should just skip it,” that I reminded myself why I do this in the first place. It’s not about checking off a workout on a list. It’s not about improving my time. It’s about taking a break from everything else and being in the moment. So, I did the opposite of what I usually do when I get in my head—I slowed down. I ran at a pace that felt comfortable, that allowed me to breathe and think, but not to stress.
And then it hit me—running is a lot like showing up for life. My parents taught me that. When life threw them curveballs, they didn’t try to be perfect. They didn’t run faster or harder than they could. They just showed up, day after day. My mom’s health challenges, and the way my dad took care of everything while she struggled, showed me what real strength looks like—not in overcoming everything, but in just being there and moving forward.
That’s what I had forgotten about running: the idea of showing up. Not to compete or outdo myself, but just to do it because I can. And it was a reminder that when things are tough—whether it’s health worries, work stress, or anything else—the best thing I can do is just keep moving. It doesn’t matter if it’s fast or perfect, as long as I’m putting one foot in front of the other.
In a way, my parents’ example has become my running mentality. They didn’t try to fix everything in one go—they just kept moving through it. That’s what I’ve realized I need to do, too, with running and life. Some days will be harder than others, but as long as I keep showing up, that’s what counts.
After running a 10K yesterday, I took the day off from work for a much-needed mental health break. Honestly, I’m feeling better already. Sometimes, we forget how important it is to just pause and take care of ourselves—whether it’s a run, a break, or a moment of stillness. I realized that running, after all, is about more than just the physical act. It’s about checking in with myself, slowing down, and being okay with not being perfect.
So, as I lace up for the next run, I remind myself that it’s not about the end goal. It’s about being there for myself, finding joy in the process, and remembering that showing up is enough. Just like my parents did, I’ll keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Stride & Wonder 