Lacing Up After the Winter Blues
A fresh start, a marathon in sight, and lessons from falling off track
Dear Duniyawaalo (People of the World),
This is not a story about finishing a marathon.
It is a story about starting again when you no longer feel like yourself.
About finding your way back, not to the finish line, but to the path.
For the past few months, I have not felt like myself.
Winter was hard. Not just the weather, but the weight of it all.
I completely neglected my fitness. Stopped doing the small things that usually keep me centered.
It showed up in my body. I gained 20 pounds.
My energy dipped. My confidence cracked.
But I have realized something.
Falling off track is not failure. Staying there is.
Training for the 2025 Chicago Marathon
This week marks the start of my 16-week marathon training. This will be my fourth marathon.
It is more than a physical plan. It is a promise to myself to show up again.
Here is what my training looks like:
3 days of running each week, including one long run starting at 6 Miles and gradually increasing to 20 Miles.
2 strength training days
1 cross-training day
1 active rest day, where I walk to stay in motion
As an added optional bonus, I also plan to include bodyweight workouts on run days, and gentle walk/runs on strength days.
My personal goal is to lose 30 pounds during this time.
But more importantly, I want to rebuild my relationship with movement, energy, and discipline.
What winter taught me
I used to think that if I paused, I would fall behind.
Now I know that rest, even unwanted rest, carries its own wisdom.
Here is what I am taking with me into this new season:
Momentum helps, but kindness helps more
You can stop without quitting
The story does not end when you fall. It begins when you rise
I am sharing this because we all forget sometimes
We forget how to begin again.
We think we need to feel ready.
We think others have it all figured out.
But most of us are just trying to return to ourselves.
That is why I will share my journey through a weekly post.
Not to impress.
Not to perform.
Just to reflect and connect.
It is where I explore mindfulness, movement, and what it means to live with intention.
This is not just my journey. We are in this together.
If you are in a season of starting over, I hope this reminds you that you are not alone.
Let us keep moving.
Let us keep showing up.
One mindful step at a time.