Run for Your Life

Moving forward from abuse, to me, means continuing to grow and improve. My abusive Ex constantly told me “no one will ever want you” and “you’ll never amount to anything or be anyone of consequence.” Lies, lies, and more damned lies! Abusers like to verbally berate their victims so that they won’t leave. Sadly, as survivors, we tend to have to prove our self-worth to ourselves all the time — just to prove that our abusers are not correct, EVER.

Besides going to after DV certifications, I am constantly competing (against myself) in virtual 5K’s. I also do this to prove to myself that I still can be physical and exercise. I have fibromyalgia and degenerative disc disease. I am in constant pain, due to the physical abuse I received, mainly, but also somewhat to age and genetics.

Most of the time, I cannot even walk for an extended period of time to complete a 5K, so I have a floor pedaling machine that has a counter on it. I sit on an ice pack and pedal, and convert it to the 5K mileage. Usually I go over the mileage a bit, but I do not claim my medal until I EARN it, truly earn it. I usually complete these 5K’s in 45 to 60 minutes. Here lately, since I have been hurting more, I have been taking about an hour and 15 minutes to complete them. Progress, not perfection, right?

You might be asking, how do I do these virtual runs? There are SO many companies that do nothing but host virtual runs. Sometimes social agencies do these virtual runs to raise money for great causes. They can cost anywhere from $0-$40 on average. My current favorite series is the DC Wonder Woman series. She is my favorite super hero and I have to prove #iamwonderwoman, even though most days I feel like MUCH less than. I did survive domestic and sexual abuse, so there is that. I have to tell myself, every day that I. AM. WONDER WOMAN! I often “wonder” How on Earth I survived all that I did!

If you’re wondering what companies host virtual runs, here are a few that I like: