In less than a year, I’d traveled from quitting running to twentieth at nationals, then to sixth, and now, second among the Americans at worlds. It seemed as though when my mind talked, my body listened, opening me to progress. My plan was to keep making more.

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