Would I do it all over again or skip over the hard part?

you are lovely :)

100 % agree with your perspective. I would never want to skip the hardest parts of my life because it has been those hard times that have made me who I am and keep me growing. I might not have ever started running if I hadn’t gone through a hard time in my early twenties. Running is definitely a metaphore for life in general, and also has helped me gain perspective during challenging times! It’s always worth living through the pain to come out more alive than you ever thought you could be!

Thank you, Janae! I always appreciate your wisdom! I’ve been thinking this past week about how my long-term injury has changed me…at first I was thinking of change in a negative light (like making me not want to sign up for racing or making me feel afraid to run high mileage again), but then I realized that I’ve seen a lot of positive changes, too, like learning how to be patient and at peace and happy even when things are not going my way, and I have absolutely no control over my situation.

Great post :) The self esteem and learning how to be independent parts are really so important and I’m sure that this will help many women :)

Thank you. I’m at a point in my life where I need to hear what I already know… medical tests, surgeries and the unknown have really knocked me for a loop these days. Your post reminds me to put on my big girl panties and face it. Whether there is cancer or no cancer, life is out there and our time really is short. So put em on and enjoy it! (Even if those big girl panties are hidden under the pjs I live in these days:)

Absolutely love it. A perspective like yours is something to be so grateful for. Your positivity is SO encouraging!

Yet another post that depicts why I look up to you so much. You had every choice to let this experience make you bitter and angry (though I’m sure there are those moments too) but overall you soo decided to pick gratitude, joy and growth.
I also think there are things I am going through that maybe the main reason for it is that someday I’ll be able to help someone else through it. Not all trials (or every part of a trial) are about us. It’s so humbling.

perfectly put!!

Janae,

When I saw this quote it made me think of you I just love it. there is a picture of it on my most recent blog post with a background of a forest and a running path going through it (or maybe its a road but i look at it as a running path haaha)- its really pretty. But here is the quote:

“Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us.”

Dang. I really wanna read this post but for some reason there is this big ad going across it that I can’t close. Or maybe I am too tech challenged to figure out how? Bummer, I can’t be expected to go a day without my hrg fix.

You are so wise and strong! I went through it also and agree with your comments. I am 40 and have a 16 year old, and it also makes you a better parent. We talk a lot about positive relationships, honesty, respect. The hard parts prepared me to be stronger, more honest about the reality of life, and a better mom to him

I’ve been reading your blog for a long time and always enjoy your posts and I just have to say this is your best ever post! We all have our different stories of what our hard time is, but we all should know that it’s getting to the other side of the hard time that makes the good times so good! -And as always, you did a great job tying it all back to running :)

Amen, Sister! You’re so much stronger for going through the hard stuff. A lot of people live life in a bubble and never learn who they really are or what’s important. Having that perspective will ultimately lead to a much happier life. (At least that’s my life experience so far!)

AMEN!

This post is perfect, Janae. I am so happy for you and the peace and happiness you’ve found in life these days.

It’s funny: You write these cute posts every day with pictures of food and Brooke and it’s all easy breezy reading, which is a wonderful thing.Then you bust out posts like this, which are so deeply reflective and are such gems. I enjoy reading both kinds of posts, but man…you tug at the heart strings with some of these! Really beautifully written and really really really happy to see you surrounded by so much love, joy and cute hair wraps and baby leggings.

Beautiful and inspiring post Janae!

Two points you made here that I especially identify with:

As women I think it is so important to hold up other women, to share our experiences and support other women when they are going through difficult times. It makes things roughly 8 million % better to be able to talk to a girlfriend who has lived through the same thing.

The hard parts being important in our personal growth. Yes!

Keep doing what you are doing friend!

So beautiful! The hard stuff makes us strong and lets God put us in a place to help others from our weakness!

Beautifully said!! You are inspiring!

Love this Janae!! I’m so proud of you and how you’ve handled all of it. I feel exactly the same way about my son. I’d do at all over again. He’s worth all of it. Love you!

That actually brought tears to my eyes. I can relate, and while I am truly sorry you have gone though all the horrible bad stuff, I think it is great that you come out stronger and can help others as well! Even though I don’t know you at all, I think you are an amazing person and a wonderful role model and mom to your daughter. My prayers are with you. Thank you for this post.

Love this post. I had a tough breakup/relationship a few years ago and I spent a lot of time regretting the years I spent with him, but then I realized that those experiences (no matter how awful) helped to shape who I am today and I’m grateful for them in a weird way.

Love this post. I thought of this awesome article I read last week about running and emotional intelligence…. http://running.competitor.com/2014/05/training/are-you-mature-enough-to-run-well_23834

“It seems to me that running itself is well suited to training in emotional intelligence. First of all, by nature of the sport’s demands, running certainly self-selects for individuals with higher-than-average emotional intelligence. (Congratulations!) But being a runner could then accelerate continued maturation—if you make it a conscious objective. This growth, in turn, will enable you to better handle the challenges of being a runner. In other words, you can become a better runner by becoming a better person—through running. Pretty cool.”

This comment is a little heavy, sorry. I’m trying to condense long thoughts into something short enough to not be annoying. (I don’t think I succeeded, it’s really long.)

I’ve been thinking a lot about the word affliction lately, until I understood it it seemed the phrase “pain and affliction” was a little redundant. The more I studied the word the more I realized that afflictions are trials that happen to us independent of the consequences of our own sins, ie those “why do bad things happen to good people” things. Almost every prophet, past and present, has talked about how their afflictions lead them to see out the Lord. (See, among other things, 1 Nephi 1:1) This means it’s nothing we did wrong, but most of the time because of how strong and righteous we are we are given opportunities to do more and be more. I think it’s incredible that these things are allowed to happen to us and then the Lord blesses us with incredible lessons and strengths out of them. Additionally, after the lesson is learned the atonement comes in and heals every negative thing the affliction inflicted. It’s like running a marathon and getting your medal and a PR and not being sore the next day! Incredible!

As I was thinking about affliction the other day I was reading in Ether 6:3-12. I realized their journey was a great example of affliction. They were being asked to go on this super hard journey not because they were wicked, but because they were righteous enough to be led to the promised land. They were prepared, they built strong and safe boats, and they were given light to have the whole way there. Then they were in the ocean and it was long (almost a year) and it was stormy the entire time and sometimes the waves engulfed them and they were buried in the water. They were scared, but they cried out unto the Lord and heard their cries. The wind was strong but it always blew toward the promised land. When they finally got there they were humble and they shed tears of joy because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.

You have been, and probably still are, in the storm tossed sea. But you’re in a tight boat with light. The wind is blowing and the waves are high, but it never ceases to blow you toward the promised land.

I’m so glad you posted this! It’s amazing how powerful your story can be… another reason why it’s turned your bad experiences into a positive. Hard things make us better. (One of my favorite running/life mantras.)

Love this! Definitely needed to hear this! Thank you!

I love how positive you are. I agree on so many levels. I thought I would be further along in life at my age too, but I know that I’m not alone and need to focus on the positives in life. Reading your blog posts are always one of the happiest parts of my day!

That was an awesome post! I love your raw honesty, you’re amazing!

xo Jen

Great post, Janae. Really proud of you and how far you’ve come. I had my second half marathon this weekend and I kept telling myself “you can do hard things”, just like you say.

I PRed by 16 mins 41 secs.

Thanks. What a great message! Like Elder Bednar said it’s the load that helps us serve our purpose, become who we are supposed to be.

What a great post! Thank you as always for sharing your journey with all of us!

This was so amazing to read because it rings true for everyone regardless of what we’ve all been through! I often look back on my hardest moments in life but never do I truly wish that they didn’t happen. It’s the most difficult moments in our lives that define who we are today and make us unique from others. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, even if that reason is not clear (it might not ever be…).

You are so strong, beautiful, and inspiring! Thank you for being you :)

This is so fantastic, so glad you arrived at this “place”!

While I’ve never been married and can’t speak to the things you’ve gone through, I have empathy as I had to battle some mental health issues throughout my 20’s (and still today but my 20’s were the most challenging). One thing I learned then as it pertains to those (not necessarily you) who may be disappointed/sad/unhappy that they aren’t at a certain life stage that they thought they should/would be at a certain point in time, just remember this: There is no set plan in life. There is no rule or anyone checking to make sure you meet X goal by Y date. Sure it’s sad and disappointing when things don’t go the way you hope/planned but I’ve found personally, that the way things do happen are often so much better. MUCH better.

Hugs, good vibes and prayers to you and sweet Brooke.

Thank you, Janae. You have no idea how much i needed to read this today. You already are one of the women who helps others. Today you helped me.

Janae,
It’s me, the one with the husband that committed suicide in Sept. (I need to come up with a code name or something so I can stop typing that.) Your words: “my worth has nothing to do with somebody else’s decisions.” Bingo. Thanks for sharing girlfriend. You have helped me again today. xoxo And still planning on running with you if I ever get to Utah.
Barb

Great post! It’s the tough times in life that really make us who we are as people. And I’m so glad that you’ve decided to focus on the positives. It took me longer than 27 years to figure that out for myself!

I always say that I hope that my divorce is the worst thing I ever have to go through. I grew so much and aw awful as it was, it is far better to suffer emotionally and recover than deal with an illness that is completely out of anyone’s control. And of course, had I not been married, I never would have had my son. Or be where I am at today. Keep up the good mental thought process!

Janae,
What a perfect post! Thanks so much for being an inspiration. I also wanted you to know that I think you looked like Kara Goucher in your video. That was the first person I thought of when I watched it. :)

Thank you, thank you!

Just beautiful. You’re an amazing momma and inspiration to everyone going through trials. Perfectly said…you’re wise beyond your years ;)

Thank u for being honest. For sharing your struggles & your joys. And for continually helping me thru the hard stuff.

What a great post Janae! And such a deep appropriate question. I too am a product of a bad marriage, but I got a great kid out of it-so I wouldn’t skip over the hard part either.
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Psalms 29:11

You are truly amazing Janae. I love your positive outlook on everything! I also love the quote “calm seas don’t make skillful sailors”. Everything happens for a reason :)

Great post!

Thank you for this post. i really needed it today.. I feel much better after reading this. didn’t know a running blog can also give you some good life lessons. Thank you

Great blog post Janae! Being divorced at 30…I agree with all you said. I just wish I had running when I was going through the hardest time!!!

Great post, Janae! You are so mature for your age. Brooke is lucky to have you for a mother.

thank you for posting this, it reminded me of my favourite quote of all time:
“Here then is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the divine shepherd.” – James E. Faust

:) thanks again, your blog always brightens my day!

You really inspire me. It seems like these posts come during times when I really need them; thanks for being amazing and strong–it motivates me to be amazing and strong, as well!

I loved this post. I can 100% relate. I am divorced for over four years, I have the sweetest daughter as a result and in the end met the most amazing man I am very excited to be marrying in November. none of that goodness in my life would have happened if I didn’t go through the hard part.

In a bizarre twist of events, before I read this post today, I was thinking about the same thing.

Yesterday my boyfriend and I realized we need to consider if our relationship is worth working on, or, if it’s reached it’s limit. While I don’t have the answers just yet, even the thought of ending it — or the notion that this conversation is coming — drove my thoughts into a tail spin. I’m still uneasy about it all (though my run did help some) and this morning I was remembering a movie — Butterfly Effect, I think? — where he has his memory of a significant other erased. And, would I make the same choice?

Your post is an answer to that question and a very helpful read. Even crazier, last night in my breakdown mode (not pretty, but hey… it happens) I thought of you and your optimism and strength. Sounds silly since I don’t know you, right? I know. But, I admire your grace. I have always been quite independent but it does take a lot out of you when you believe you found someone else to share that self-reliance with. Anyway, thank you for your nice words. They are priceless.

Love this post so much! You are incredibly strong and an inspiration to so many! <3