Run to Freedom – Page 3 – Run Before You Fly

August 29, 2021June 8, 2022

16 Miles and Smiles.

She looked softly in the mirror at the woman she once was.

She forgave herself for all the lies she told and believed about her beautiful soul.

She made food her friend… using it to heal and fuel her body.

She said goodbye to her booze addiction that betrayed her beyond measure, but not without letting it see how much good she has used it to teach the world that healing and recovery are possible.

This morning she woke at 4:45 am to run 16 miles. She is disciplined. She is strong. She is kind. She is me.

Know a Friend Who Would Love Suzanne’s Blog and Inspirational Group of Runners and Writers? Pass Them the Link to RunBeforeYouFly.com.

Receive inspiration via email from Suzanne. Sign up using the link!

Thank you for supporting my writing and running endeavors at RunBeforeyouFly.com. I’m Suzanne Swanson and I’d love for us to keep in touch!

Receive updates via email when you sign up here.

August 26, 2021December 14, 2021

Run for Humanity.

Today I run for our soldiers. For our heroes. For our men and women who have given tirelessly and relentlessly for my freedom and for my protection.

Today I run for this world, and how unbelievably broken it is. I run for those weary, and struggling. For those who are broken and sick. I run for our forefathers and what they fought for. I run for humanity and kindness for all humankind, of all skin colors, ethnicities, and race.

I run for peace, and to ignite unity. I run to understand ignorance and to pray for patience. I run for to seek clarity of a world that I admit I am sometimes fearful of and disgusted by.

I run today for this land that I love. Thank you, heroes… military, fire, police, first responders, doctors, nurses, pastors, truck drivers, clerks, gas station attendants, teachers, waitresses, waiters, lineman, mental health counselors, and everyone else who I didn’t mention…

I RUN FOR US ALL TODAY. May we continue to love, to be kind humans, and may our spirits be filled with a united love for all mankind…❤️💙🇺🇸.

Journaling courses are ready!

August 20, 2021December 14, 2021

Happy Place.

Once a year, the countdown on my calendar begins. I mark my beach vacation in a special color. I wait with anticipation to get to this place. A place of sweet summer smells, crashing waves, and miles of sand to toss my cares to.

The sea for me is cathartic. It amazes me. It’s gentle and sweet one minute, strong and powerful the next. It’s a place where I release all my worries. Reflect on where I have been, and pray for better days ahead.

This morning as I was running on the boardwalk, I watched the people. I see each of their faces. Some are young, some are battered, some are aged with wrinkles, some are sun-soaked, some smiling with excitement, some are deeply troubled with sadness.

I think about where they may have been in life, what their story is. Why has their journey led them to this place on this day?

I will be using this time to spend with my family, to stay off social media… as I do find that once in a while, I need to rest my mind from all of the world.

Disconnect back into myself, journal, work on my writing… and truly return to the days when being at the beach was a time worth waiting for.

Take time for yourself today. Hit the reset button, disconnect from everyone else’s crap, and focus on what is right in front of you.

Life is short… the beach is timeless, and a period of restructuring ourselves and quieting all outside noise is a must for continued spiritual growth.

Get up and get after life today. 💙. Amen.

#hopedealer #shuttingdownmymind

Follow along as Suzanne Swanson takes us through her transformation from addiction to athlete. Find support and healing in your own life! We’re sending Suzanne’s blog updates via email along with a daily dose of motivation. Don’t miss the next post… delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to hear from Suzanne via email here.

August 3, 2021December 14, 2021

Instant Joyful Human

Instant Joyful Human: 💙
Directions: Lace one pair of comfortable running sneakers.

Place favorite junk headband, and turn music UP!

Breathe. Grab favorite hydration beverage… smile and GO 💜.

Results may vary by location, and how much you move your ass. Some restrictions may apply. No money back guarantee.

Warning ⚠️… the runner you see pictured is actually a runner and full of joy. Smiling is contagious. DO try this at home!

August 2, 2021December 14, 2021

The Road to Self-Worth

The responses I have received from my Run to Change Lives interview have truly been overwhelming and sincerely heartfelt. I have received many messages today on the subject of self-worth and how did I use my love of running to help me achieve it?

We are conditioned to feel less than. We have been taught to try harder, to “erase and try again,” to hesitate when we are given an opportunity to better ourselves, and that we are selfish when we put ourselves first.

The open road, and my running sneakers have given me back what other people, and certain concepts have tried to repetitively take from me… my self worth.

To make progress, allow yourself the wonderful endowment of self-acceptance. You have been given a gift. You were made for a purpose.

You are allowed to sit in both places of uncertainty, and places of great unrest .

You are allowed to sit in unsteady moments, and stand taller when you have rebuilt the foundation that once tried to crumble you.

The open road will listen, will push you, will be gentle some days and fierce the next– but it will guide you to regain your own love, life and trust back.

Whether it’s the park, the track, the mountains, the pavement, the bicycle, the pool, the yoga mat… take all your lack of’s and should be’s there.

Discard them one by one… and when they come back… let them visit but NEVER invite them to stay again as they no longer serve a purpose. Amen.

#selfcare #selfworth #hopedealer #restday

Sign up to hear from Suzanne via email here.

August 1, 2021December 14, 2021

Serenity Sunday…

Often times I think we forget the power held in a little serenity. We are always expecting, wanting, striving, pushing for more, for better, or the next best.

On my 12-mile journey this morning, I thought about the power in having stillness, and enjoying what is… in this very moment.

Giving ourselves permission to lift the expectations of what others think is a must. Giving ourselves permission to just be grateful in the moment changes not only the outcome, but allows a clearer view into our own looking glass. It is here where we are surprised at how simple serenity can undo the plans of our destructive robber in minutes.

Waking up clear-headed without a hangover, well-rested, for me is serenity.

Seeing the beautiful sunrise… waving at familiar faces… and getting to wake up and do what I love… is my serenity.

My body was strong today. I felt good and alive and accomplished… yet I surrendered. I allowed the present to just be. I let the “what if’s” go to hell, and the voices of the naysayers drift off to a place I ain’t visiting.

Let it all go this morning. Surrender. Be. Exist. Find your serenity today 💙.

July 13, 2021June 8, 2022

Marine Corps Marathon

And so it begins… first training run done ☑️.

Official Marine Corps Marathon training starts today!

I have a feeling it’s going to be a long hot summer!

Envision your goals, and dreams💙.

Set out on the road before you. 💙

Along the way make memories, make peace with yourself, and most of all make a better way of life.💙

#hopedealer #MCM2021 #dogdaysofsummer

Stay in Touch with Suzanne

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is sneaks2.jpg

Thank you for supporting my writing endeavor at RunBeforeyouFly.com. I’m Suzanne Swanson and I’d love for us to keep in touch!

Receive daily inspiration via email when you sign up here.

July 4, 2021December 14, 2021

Pursuit of Happiness.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

I thought about what this truly means for me today.

Independence Day. Today is a day in which we can all choose to seek a life of peace, freedom, and happiness.

Be Happy on purpose today.

Seek peace and stillness today from whatever is robbing you of anything less… and celebrate life in the present at this very moment.

Run for personal freedom today.

Release all that does not serve you, and let us not forget who we are and what we stand for.

#americathebeautiful #happybirthdayamerica

#ohbeautifulforspaciousskies

June 26, 2021December 14, 2021

Celebrating the Open Road.

The open road…🖤

How blessed am I to take just a few short steps from my home to this open road?

My open road has been a solid foundation where I have retraced and rebuilt my life.

My open road has heard my cries for help, the confessions of my heart, and my pleas for a better version of myself.

My open road has taken me through trials, and upsets, through celebrations and victories.

Today I get to wake up and use my gift… the gift of my legs.

I get to run, sweat, breathe heavy, taste the salt on my cheeks, and just let the burdens of my heart be lifted away to my creator. I can be freed.

What’s your open road look like?

Today I challenge you to release one thing on that pavement that’s been holding you back. Leave it there… say goodbye to it… thank it… and then inhale with gratitude that your open road will know exactly what to do with it.

Running is a gift. Celebrate that open road today 🖤.