Where This Came From
Let me take you on a little backstory before I explain the title of this and where it came from and how it inspired me.
After my babies were born, I was unable to lose the weight and was very unhealthy and out of shape. I was caregiving for my completely paralyzed mom, and trying to go about regular life as it was at the time. I needed something else, something just for me. Although that sounds selfish, it isn’t. It’s called self-preservation. I wanted to be able to fully live right there and not wait until later. If I didn’t take care of myself, I wouldn’t be here to be my kids’ mom or my mom’s caregiver.
So, I joined a weight loss competition at a gym with tons of accountability. It was a long process, but so worth it. I was determined to get my health back so that I could hopefully be here long term for my kids and my mom.
Anyway, this is when I discovered running as cardio. I always hated running growing up, but there was no pool nearby (i grew up a swimmer) so I had to use what I had. So, I started on the treadmills. It was very slow going, but I was doing it!
Fast forward to meeting my running partner in a spinning class and she invited me to run with her in her neighborhood. I was scared for sure because I had never run outside…only on a treadmill, and was up to 7 miles on the treadmill. But I had a feeling I was in for a big shock when it came to running outside.
That first day that I met her in her neighborhood, it was dark and cool since we met at around 4:30 am and it was winter time in GA. It was PERFECT!
I won’t ever forget that first time running together we ran 8 miles and it was the most torcherous run of my life!
Breathing outside with the cool air and the pounding of the changing terrain under my feet was an entirely separate world from the evenly controlled air and smooth treadmill in the gym I was used to. It was an entirely different sport!
Fast forward to after I completed my first half marathon (with my sister!), and arrived home to find out my running partner challenging me to run a FULL MARATHON! I could barely breathe thinking there is no way I can do that! But of course, I didn’t say that. My competitive, never die spirit kicked in and squeakily out screeched a very timid and scared, “sure.”
We ran twice a week. Due to her hips and my knees, anything more than that debilitated us from our process, so we stuck with that. One day a week was the shorter run, and the other day was the long run. In between, we swam, lifted weights, and did spinning classes.
One day during one of our long runs, within the first half mile I just felt completely wrecked. Like utterly like I could stop right in the middle of it, get in my car, go home and stay in the bed with heat and ice for 48 hours completely content. I was ruined and I knew it mentally.
I told her, “I can’t do this run today. I am ruined and I know it. I feel like a complete wreck. Everything is feeling off and wrong.”
Without missing a beat, or slowing down, she looked over at me and said this, “Never decide anything in the first 2 miles Susan, never.”
Inside I kind of rolled my eyes, but knowing she had been a runner her whole life and I was a newbie I decided to give her advice a try.
I made up my mind to not decide anything or even entertain any other thoughts about it until after mile 2.
We completed the first 2 miles and everything that was tight had loosened up, all the pain had dissipated, and the “feelings” were gone. What it had been replaced with is a mental attitude of stick with it, give it a chance, and stay relaxed.
Once I had made up my mind to not dwell on it for those first 2 miles before I knew it,
Another 16 miles later we finished that 18 mile run and it was one of the best runs of my life. It was so freeing and confidence building to know that everything can hurt and feel wrong, but if I just wait and give it a chance, it can all turn full circle.
Never Decide Anything In The First 2 Miles!
I deeply, like longingly, as much as I can know my own name with great angst want to ENCOURAGE YOU TO NEVER DECIDE ANYTHING IN THE FIRST 2 MILES!
There is so much more for you waiting on just the other side of that pain.
There is hope for the light to come again even when you are in the midst of what seems to be complete and utter darkness.
There is change waiting, but it takes time and you will have to wait and work for it.
This right now, this that you are walking through, living in, experiencing and feeling lost in, IS NOT YOUR FOREVER!
DO NOT EVER GIVE UP!!!!
There REALLY IS HOPE!!!
Make up your mind that your soul and heart is stronger than your body and your circumstances.
Make up your mind that God is truth and love and He will not leave you or forsake you.
Make up your mind that when the dust settles and clears and all that is left standing is you and God with your ability to stand firm, it will all be worth it.
There IS THAT THIRD MILE! It does get better! There is HOPE!! DONT GIVE UP NOW. DONT GIVE UP EVER! HANG ON! STAND FIRM! REDEMPTION IS NEAR!
When you are in those first 2 miles and it is lonely, dark, grim, not what you imagined, and just plain sucks, STAY IN IT!
You have to go through the pain and misunderstanding and aches of the first 2 miles to get to the 3rd. The first 2 miles are the hardest because it all aches…it all burns…it all feels wrong. But, it is NOT your forever!
Real Life Example
That is some of the best advice I’ve ever received in my life and I am forever grateful for that.
That actually came in very handy when we first moved here to the big city to live in an apartment, away from the beautiful beaches, big lots, plenty of countryside, and family and friends that we knew and loved.
The first few days I think my girls and I cried EVERY SINGLE DAY ALL DAY LONG. Every single day we thought this was the worst decision ever, the worst place to live ever, the loneliest place ever and wanted nothing to do with it…and I do mean…NOTHING!
My husband came home from work one day and said, “That’s it, load up in the car I am taking y’all somewhere.” What we didn’t know is that he had decided to take us somewhere that would end up being like home and family to us, and we are still loving to this very day almost 3 years later.
He took us to the local Ninja gym. The girls got to meet some of their role models, but more importantly, we found where God wanted us for now and what would become a very important part of our lives.
I quickly remembered my dear running partner and her comment, “Never Decide Anything In The First 2 Miles Susan.” I was softened, quieted, calmed, and ready for a new adventure.
Those very dear souls that we have easily come to love over the past 3 years truly are family to us and we can’t now imagine ever not knowing them.
God knew though.
We have lived so many places you would think I would learn to Never Decide Anything In The First 2 Miles.
If I had thrown in the towel in the first 2 miles at certain times in my life, I would have missed out on some crazy blessings.
I may still be living in my car.
Todd and I wouldn’t still be married and be best friends with the Lord first in our marriage.
I definitely wouldn’t have been a caregiver to my mom past day 1 of bringing her home.
We wouldn’t have gotten to live in all the wonderful places we have lived and met all the people the Lord placed in our paths during those times.
My life would be drastically different and I wouldn’t have lived or learned one-millionth of what I have learned from all those hard times turned blessings.
You will be thankful in the long run when you look back and clearly see the Lord purposing you and carrying you through those “first 2 miles”.
The Beauty of Changing Your Perspective
Change in the past has been hard for me because I loved routine and that was a part of who I was. Now; however, God has taught me the beauty of change.
I don’t see it as an interruption of my perfectly laid out daily life that doesn’t need to change so I don’t have to roll with the flow.
I see it as a beautiful opportunity to learn something new, meet new souls, or experience another part of God’s great big beautiful world He made for us to enjoy.
Never Decide Anything in the first 2 miles my friend. There is so much waiting for you, you really can’t even begin to fathom it!
What if that NO to what you thought was your dream job is because there is something so much better God has for you around the corner?
What if the end of that relationship is actually a blessing that will carry you forward to accomplish and learn things you couldn’t have with that relationship intact?
What if the present place you are living and not loving is a teaching point to teach you patience so that when you are in a newer place you can look back with gratitude and humility of how far God has brought you?
What if what seems like the world caving in around you is only the beginning chapter to a new part of your life you could never have imagined.
Press on with whatever you are in, no matter how uncomfortable or hard, and know that there is something so wonderful waiting for you in that 3rd mile it will be worth it all!
Snag your FREE Printable set HERE and comment below with when you were so happy you didn’t give up or quit and stuck out those first 2 miles in life!
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