Running taught me to believe in myself, and in others. It taught me that I need to take care of myself, to eat well, to hydrate, to smile, to hug, to love, to feel emotion. It taught me it was okay to not be okay and that it was okay to share this with other people. Running is my safety net… Running saved me.

“‘I breathe in strength and breathe out weakness,’ is my mantra during marathons—it calms me down and helps me focus.” – Amy Hastings

Arnold likes to meditate before her runs as a way of opening her mind. Peoples likes to meditate just about everywhere, sitting, or even walking outside.

While positivity is a bit nebulous, I ask myself: Did I enjoy the run? Was I able to keep going and push through moments of difficulty when I wanted to quit? Was my run the mental break in my day that I needed to give me clarity, energy, and time to myself? If the answer to each of these questions is yes, then I know I succeeded in remaining