My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Monday, July 25, 2011

The Power of the Stretch

We did it!  Brenda and I, along with Steve, her husband, and son and many others ran the Deseret News 10K this morning.  Cricket at first was pretty excited that she was fed at 5 am before we left, then a little sad that meant we were leaving her behind.  This was Brenda and I's first organized run together outside the comfort of the street that I know so well.  I was a little nervous as I must rely on a guide more heavily in this situation with crowds and unknown territory.  I also hadn't run farther than five miles since the 1/2 Marathon Shannon and I did in April.  It was a stretch for me, but amazing!  I am so touched by someone being willing to run and take on the extra challenge of alerting me to all the obstacles out there.   Having someone pulling me along and talking just keeps me going and is fun (atleast until mile 5 on this one :)!  10K in just under an hour with a friend that we are now bonded on a deeper level, well worth the stretch and prerun butterflies. 

I recall years ago attending a conference and the speaker talking about the power of the stretch in our lives.  A friend recently gave me a sweet compliment about how she admired my ability to stretch myself in so many ways.   My first response was no ... not really and then I caught myself and said, thank you and accepted the compliment :). I do enjoy stretching, challenging myself and trying new things.  Also, isn't it interesting and hard at times that we are called upon to stretch when we don't want to and perhaps stretching is just making it through the day. 

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face.  You must do that which you think you cannot do.
Eleanor Roosevelt

What is your stretch of the day?

7 comments:

Just Jess for now said...

Congrats on the run. :)
As of right now, my "stretches" are quite minor in that we're kind of in limbo waiting to move to Scotland and trying to get everything ready. I think the biggest one for me is still doing my triathlon training despite not having a guide and having to do everything indoors and missing the swimming component. That said, once we move, my "stretches" may become a bit larger.
Thanks for sharing.

Debbie said...

Hey Becky congratulations on the run!! I am home and trying to catch up on washing etc. I had to catch up on your blog and was glad to hear what you had been up to! It was stretching for me to travel with Dave's parents. Many stories! Hopefully see you Monday.

Becky Andrews said...

Jess & Glacier; wow, Scotland - that indeed sounds like a stretch. Triathlon - want to hear more! I have a friend who is trying to get me to do so ... the swimming!?

Debbie - welcome back! So excited to hear all about your journey.

Myrna R. said...

Congratulations. Wish we all confronted our stretches - voluntary and involuntary as well as you do.

Becky Andrews said...

Myrna - For some reason I am not able to comment on your blog! I think its MY computer. Your posts are so beautiful.

Maxmom said...

Becky,
Thank you for this post. Sometimes, when we 'stretch', it feels a lonely place - and I run the risk of doubting myself.
You see, I am about to take the biggest stretch of my life in the next week. If all goes well, I will be signing a deal with a publisher for MAXDOG. The journey of this book has been a continual stretch - both liberating and painful at times. I've opened my soul to the world really...and it's scary. Why am I doing this? Because I believe so strongly that 'sharing' a journey - especially a difficult one - can only benefit others. I pray each day that 'Wherever MAXDOG goes, let it do good.'
Stretching?...scary stuff!
Sending lotsaluv
MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA
Yes, and I almost forgot - congrats on the run. You are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Becky Andrews said...

Maxmom -- Wishing you well on this stretch! How exciting.