Category: Runner Stories

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Doorways

The doorways we choose each day in our life path are crucial to who we become. I have walked both intentionally and unintentionally through doorways that have led me through destruction, fear, and choices that carved the walls of my strength.

Doorways can be deceiving. What you think is on the other side can be filled with false hope. Empty promise. The same room… the same toxicities… the same repeated cycles.

The doorways of my previous addicted world always seemed to open even wider when I was at the brink of disaster. That woman on the left was trapped in those rooms for a very long time.

The woman on the right carefully examines her doorways these days. Before she enters, she asks herself: if I step in, will this doorway entry serve my greater purpose? Will it fulfill me? Will it allow me further growth and less bullshit?

Take the time to think about your goals. Think about who you wish to become. Do Not Enter the doorways that are jaded, altered, or that will not serve you.

Guard the doorways to your success… and do not let any person, place, or thing enter without your permission.

You control your doorways now… what a beautiful concept this is….🖤. Go be wonderful today.

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.

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Road Less Traveled

The becoming of your truest self begins when your feet hit the path of which seldom like to go.

Physical change is wonderful. I could tell you I lost 90 pounds, I can show you the pictures to support that… but what is more important than the physical is the mental endurance and toughness it takes to transform your spirit.

The road less traveled is a place that’s usually not crowded. We have all a pathway to it. Some of us are just stepping ever so softly on it, some of us are pounding heavy in the middle of it, and some of us are at the groundbreaking edge of being led off the road and ready to unveil what they have learned.

When I am at my best. I am connected to the Earth. I stop for the flowers, I listen for the birds, I see clearly how the toxic bullshit of the past doesn’t stand a chance against God’s beautiful treasures and connectedness, inner peace, or self-love.

Do yourself a favor and turn down The Road Less Traveled. Take the first step. Take the unexpected route, do quietly the things that stir up change, but do boldly the things that help others to see.

You are worthy of everything good… now get on that road.

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.

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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

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

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Gratitude Changes Everything.

Gratitude changes everything.

He whispered, “She’ll never overcome addiction.”

She whispered: “She’ll always be overweight and unhealthy.”

I whispered…

“Hello… remember me? My miles have become my guide, and gratitude has changed me forever.”

Seek what you dream about, and be a living story. ❤️

#tellyourtale #leavealegacy

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.

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Hope is Here.

I’m here to let you in on something that took me years of unraveling to learn…

Hope Is Here.

My headband today, “Hope is here,” has had significant meaning in every aspect of me changing my habits, my life disciplines, and my personal outcomes.

We are going to stumble… it’s okay.

We are going to lack grace somedays… it’s okay. We are going to feel defeated at times… it’s okay.

Because Hope lives in all of us. It lives in why you do the work you do. It lives in why we run. It lives in why we get excited about our personal victories.

It lives in you and in your neighbors. It is the only thing we desperately cling to in our lowest, most desolate moments.

My run this morning is dedicated to Hope. A Hope for you, and for me. A Hope for this nation, and this world.

Hope lives here… do not be discouraged, nor sad today.

Fill your cup alive with Hope. Watch how one simple word and concept can change the course of this day, can change the attitude of your mind, and can change the ways of your heart.

Find your way to some Hope today… and you’ll find your way home.

#findyourwayhome #runningmotivation #friday

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Good Intentions.

Today’s run is brought to you by Get Up Off Your Ass and Just Be Happy 💙.

I asked myself this morning, is my road paved with good intentions?

We can wake up and take the crowded, miserable, exhausting road of toxic complainers… or we can wake up and take the road less traveled.

Let’s not overthink it today. Wake up, fill your cup up with joy (or a little espresso 🤣) and get out there and create the life you deserve.

People will laugh, mock, and roadblock in any way they can. Stigmas and society will try to fill you with false thoughts, images, and negativity that is senseless and unprovable.

Pave your road with good intentions today. Seal it with gratefulness, and teach the people who pass you today a little thing about joy.

Be happy on purpose 💙. Be helpful when asked…

Be patient when life is hard… and Be You.

Time to work…

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Show Up for Yourself.

I hope today that you are celebrating you. I hope today you will come to understand that no matter how little you think you have come in your journey so far, it does not even remotely define you.

I hope today the reflection you see is an image of a person trying. I hope you can see the sacrifices you’ve made, the love you have given, and that not only is external and internal change possible… but extraordinary‼️

I hope you can one day understand that all that you have been through has shaped and prepared you for exactly where you are today.

I hope you know that our sneakers tell a tale of who we are. They are scuffed and worn, broken in, and twisted, but they are also comfortable and gentle, they are molded and perfect. They have felt every pounce of the pavement, and trudge on the trail… yet day after day they show up for us and do exactly what’s expected of them.

Show up for yourself. Do what’s expected. Dream the crazy dreams. Set goals… make plans… be the change that everyone tells you you’re crazy for believing in.

Someone is struggling, yearning, seeing, and hoping. Show them they can… tell them they will. Exhale ambition and spread that shit like wildfire. Life is waiting… let’s go make the happiest one we can. 🖤

Run With Our Pack!

Run Before You Fly Private Facebook Group is open to all who wish to continue to share their experiences, love of running, and battles of life, with each other. Together we are better.

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Get Out There

Because some days we wake up… sip a little rocket fuel… put on our very best shark-loving outfit and go 🙌🏻💙.

Today is about gratitude . Thanking life, God and the universe for all the blessings it continually gives, allows, and surprises me with.

You can’t create magic moments by covering your eyes… get out there and see what you’ve been missing💙‼️

#imaluckygirl#ilovemesomesharks#sundaysarejustthatgood

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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 🖤.

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.

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Showing Up Uninvited.

My past is a place where I visit from time to time, but I don’t stay long anymore. I don’t ask for an invitation to visit. I show up uninvited to remind it of just a few things.

My past told me I couldn’t become an athlete, because I was lazy… undetermined and unfocused. I ring the doorbell of my past, and when it opens the door… it now sees the face of grit, hard work, discipline, and eyes that see long into my dreams and goals.

My past told me I couldn’t overcome the bottle. That Jameson and Vodka would destroy me long before a pair of running shoes could.

I ring the doorbell and when my past answers, I say remember me? Now it sees the girl who hasn’t touched a drink in 5 years. Who put down the bottle to pick up her self-worth, and found self-love again.

My past told me I couldn’t make a difference: “You’ll never be an example, or a leader. You’ll never succeed.”

I ring the doorbell and when it opens the door… my past sees all of you. It sees your kind words and support. It sees us sharing all our achievements together.

My past asks me if I would like to sit and stay awhile… maybe get reacquainted. I politely decline. As I leave, I turn around and say:

“You thought you would break me. You thought you could keep me prisoner, hold me in the dark, never to be rescued.”

As I shut the door, the beautiful light shining down upon me pierces that dark place. The past quietly closes the door with nothing left to say.

Find your willingness to be better. Do not let people, places or things hold your happiness… they will drop it every time. Find your light and burn that bitch so bright, you light up the world 🌎✨⭐️.

Now let’s get this run done ✌️.

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.