I’m a firm believer that one should somehow celebrate or commemorate your accomplishments in some form or fashion. This can be through race bling, a shirt, your bib, an “Awesome Moments” journal entry, a memory jar, or something entirely different.
A few bits from my “Awesome Moments” journal. Not limited to running, this is a log for all sorts of things I’m proud of.
Years ago, I decided to create a charm bracelet that would display a jingling gallery of things I was proud of doing.
At the time, I was cycling a lot (much through Team in Training) and so I began with a bike charm, then added in a “100” for each century ride I completed. I tackled a fear and became certified in SCUBA diving, so the dive flag went on.
After cycling, I tried running (I say “tried” because this foray into running was far from a success) and I did a 5k race. I walked most of it, but had a wonderful moment during where I slowed way down from the much-too-fast-for-me pace I was “training” at and went at my own snail’s pace. When I did this, I was able to – for the first time in my life – run almost a mile without stopping. Because of this, I added a 5k charm. It was a very special moment to me.
Boosted by this little win, and by the encouragement of my friends, I signed up for a sprint triathlon. I mean, I could swim for days, bike 100 miles, what more could the run take?
I won’t go into my experience here, but let’s say it was a less than stellar outcome when the event finally arrived (I was dead last and getting lapped by the second event of the day) but I managed to finish.
It seems I don’t really learn my lesson, so I decided to try the Disneyland half marathon (because: Disney). I knew there was a 15 minute pace minimum, but I felt I could manage it. Long story short, I hustled enough to beat the race sweepers (barely) and again finished, but it wasn’t a stellar performance other than I didn’t die and I didn’t get swept. I still finished and had a blast running through Disneyland and Anaheim Stadium. It was still a huge accomplishment for me, so on went the charm.
While my bracelet is personal to me, it means a lot.
I went through a period where I wasn’t doing anything active and my fitness declined and my weight increased. I put the bracelet away and didn’t look at it. I didn’t want a reminder of what I used to do and where I was currently. It was depressing and just added to my own feelings of failure.
When I started getting back on track and completed a running 5k for the first time in my life, I was elated. In all honesty, I had forgotten about my little charm bracelet, it had been shoved in my jewelry box for years now. But not long after I finished this 5k, I stumbled on it again. I looked at each charm and remembered why it was on there. I no longer thought of it as reminders of a past that was long gone and the failure I currently was (in my mind) but now it again served as a lovely memento of my own accomplishments, and now I felt I could add more.
So I attached a snail, my running spirit animal, and a shoe charm.
This whole long rambling bit is to let you know that how you recognize your achievements is personal. Some are content with memories, some people like something more tangible.
However you choose to celebrate all the things you accomplish is up to you – but be sure to celebrate them. You deserve it!
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