Comfort Zone-Outside it

Posting a little early this week as likely not to have computer accessible with the holidays..

Should have written this post months ago since it has been about that long since I took the big leap out of my COMFORT ZONE. Within less than six months of turning 50 years old (midlife crisis, anyone?), I quit my senior executive position of 25 years to become a SAHM. This SAHM role includes the traditional job roles of cooking, cleaning, shopping, kid raising but has the twist of homeschool teacher. It was also at this time, I signed on to be a first time half marathon coach and oh yeah, I might be perimenopausal.  Most of my fellow sole sisters are too young for this life phase but I had no idea the menopause thing has a pre-phase that can last up to two years before and you get to experience foreshadowing of what is to come with the big M.

Well I could go on and on about me and my comfort zone and possibly entertain you with my innate  inabilities and challenges (just ask to see my latest cooking burns) but that is not what this blog site is about. I will short circuit the story to say it was and is the right thing for me and my family and I continue to be ever so happy about my choices.

I want to share the part of this adventure that involves my southern sole sisters(SSS). This concept of comfort zone was not something I knew about or had ever really thought about until I entered outdoor boot camp back in July 2008. This boot camp, of course, is the place where the journey with some of the sole sisters started...In this camp, our instructors constantly talked about and urged us to get outside our comfort zone mentally and physically. At the time, that often mean running harder and faster. This getting out of the comfort zone however, would make you feel like you left nothing in the tank at the end of a workout. I mean this energy wise, you knew you gave it your all not a reference to the nausea and emptying out that other tank. If you kept this up at camp, there were rewards through the accomplishment of being able to run at a faster pace, better your mile time or run faster than a camper that always beat you in sprints.

My life comfort zone had been one that many are familiar with..trying to find balance with job, family, self. And coming to the end of the week and feeling like I was not doing any of it to the very best of my ability and particularly when it came to my children. As the internal discourse threatened to over take me, it was some of my sole sisters , in the course of regular runs,  who noted it, cultivated it, brought it to the surface, listened, listened, then listened some more. Then encouraged perhaps emboldened me to take the leap, jump outside the comfort zone, take a risk. It is quite possible that you, my friends, did not know that you helped me, that you moved me over to the other side but you did. Sometimes speaking things out loud to a sole sister during a run creates an unexpected accountability.Your best running friend might text/email you or worry about you or check in with you ..or ASK YOU ABOUT IT on the next run together. You might have pushed the thoughts to the back burner, as busy people so often do, and just lose yourself in the "get through the day routine".  This caring or even making conversation inquiry from a BRF brings the thoughts out from wherever you buried them and strengthens the voice inside that says "you must do something about this". Best running friends provide food for thought, perspective, examples and role models. Role models, as one of you have many traits, skills, and expertise that I so admire and in many cases, aspire to incorporate into my being and life.

THANK YOU to my southern sole sisters who ran/worked out, coffee'ed, texted, listened, advised, and consoled me during this inner turmoil phase on whether to make a change. You ultimately supported me to get OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE and continue to have my back while I settle into this new zone. Just like the boot camp push out of the comfort zone, this push is bringing rewards to my family and to me.

It seems like 2016 is going to bring (continue to bring) a lot of change for many of us, sole sisters. I hope I will continue to have to the opportunity to support you  as you have supported me. May the changes all be positive and fulfilling for you and your families. 

Sadie