Normally, I would consider myself pretty superstitious. Don’t step on cracks; don’t walk under a ladder; knock on wood; pick up a penny for good luck (only if it is heads up); put that penny in your left shoe and you will marry the man of your dreams; I will buy something else at the grocery store if (God forbid and yes, it has happened) my total is $6.66 or $66.60; bad luck comes in threes; Murphy’s Law; don’t talk about something bad or it will happen; and for the love of everything Holy or Not-So-Holy, do not even acknowledge Friday the 13th. There are three of them in 2012, in case you wondered. (I always need to know these kinds of things.)
I’ve been like that my whole life. I believe in signs, spirits, ghosts, numerology and all kinds of supernatural stuff. I also believe in God. I used to spend a lot of my life afraid of things I couldn’t explain, didn’t want to explain or that terrified once I understood. Instead, I usually freaked out, overreacted and mostly assumed the absolute worst.
Running changed that for me. When I started running, I gained I confidence that was entirely new to me. I could do whatever I set my mind to. Through running, I have become happier, healthier, and I enjoy my life so much more than I used to. I believe we can achieve the impossible. I believe I can achieve whatever I set my mind to. I control my own destiny – my own race, if you will – and after my first half marathon in August 2009, my life has never been the same. Running has brought me joy, friendships and a freedom that I never even knew existed. Bad day? Go for a run. Worried about something? Go for a run. Need to figure out a problem? Go for a run and you’ll be amazed at how clearly your mind works.
Now, I embrace my bad luck, to some degree. For example, it just made sense that I coach the 13 minute pace group. It made even more sense to call ourselves the Lucky 13’s. Nothing like grabbing bad luck by the horns and screaming, “Bring it on! We are who we are and we’re not changing!” Um, yeah, that only kind of worked for us. (Duane still made us turn around and run like hell back to shelter when we accidently set out during a lightening storm). His exact words were, “People like us should not run in lightening storms. That’s just asking for trouble.”
 |
| (We only pretend to like each other and where the heck is Duane?!) |
I’ve overcome my fear of storms. I photograph them now, as a matter of fact.
 |
| (From the safety of my very own porch) |
I took on the greatest challenge of my life when I attempted to run the Goofy Challenge in Disney this year.
 |
| (Don’t mistake our smiles for happiness) |
I will be prepared next time. Doesn’t even scare me now. I know what I have to do and do it I will. I’m coming for you, Goofy.
 |
| (Um, one question, where were you when I needed you most? Oh, Walgreens. Who knew?!) |
I have even overcome my fear of physical pain. Nothing hurts more than a pulmonary embolism. Not even a marathon and that hurts. In fact, since I almost died then, what’s there really to be afraid of now? Clearly, God wants me here for a reason still. (Oh wait, apparently the one time I should have actually freaked out, I did not).
 |
| (I really have had nothing better to do than take a lot of pictures and plus I look almost normal now) |
Actually, I think Tequila is more deadly than a pulmonary embolism. We celebrated our five year anniversary last Saturday with some Italian food, star gazing and Mr. Montezuma. Never again. I do not know how people drink it!
 |
| (Who the heck drinks Montezuma Tequila anyway?!) |
Hell, I think I overcame my fear of Friday the 13th.
Notice I can’t be entirelypositive about it (I’m also a gigantic pessimist for the most part). I’m just thinking WHAT ELSE COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?! The old me wouldn’t even have asked. Now, I feel as if I can handle anything thrown at me. It even crossed my mind to celebrate (not with Mr. M. though, I assure you).
So, there you have it. The still-very-superstitious-and-very-unlucky-but-I-can-pretty-much-handle-whatever-life-throws-my-way-now-new me. What about you? Are you superstitious? Do you avoid Friday the 13th like the plague? What scares you the most and are you able to overcome that fear?
Until the next mile marker,
Follow
Happy post-Friday-the-13th (aka Saturday the 14th). You survived yet another trial!
I’m not superstitious at all, and glad for that since I am generally a worrier about things; I don’t need more to worry about. I’m probably not superstitious because my dad’s lucky number was 13. We celebrated 13 in my house rather than worry about what mishap might occur. What scares me? Spiders and heights.
I’m not superstitious at all. It never even occurred to me that it was Friday the 13th lol! I’ll tell you what scares me…roaches and snakes and spiders! And nope! I haven’t overcome those fears…it’s so bad that I get my 4 year old to kill the roaches and spiders for me! Sad I know.
I am not superstitious in that sense, either. I like to think that things happen for a reason and I do know that I occasionally have a spidey sense about things but not in a bad way! Glad you got over your fear of Friday the 13th!
oooh, that’s a gorgeous shot of the storm!
Love this post!
I am superstitious to a degree and I know I have irrational fears, but that doesn’t stop me from being afraid. Flying scares me and I refuse to do it. I have flown before, though the last time was the year 2000 and I rented a car and drove home. I have yet to even attempt to overcome that fear.
How has work been going? I miss seeing your smiling face!!