So I used to be a Dancer....

When I was young all I ever wanted to be was a dancer. I dreamed of being on Broadway or maybe in a dance company. Later in young adulthood I decided to be a dance teacher with aspirations of becoming a choreographer. I used to be decent technically, not a bad teacher and I won many titles in dance competitions for my choreography. You would think weight loss and exercise would just make me stronger. The answer to that question in NO!
They say marathon running is 20% running and 80% mental. I think it's more like 40/60% but that's just my opinion. In all of the races I have ran the thought of not finishing never went through my head. I can honestly say it's probably the one thought that did not cross my mind. Of course thoughts like, he's cute, what is she wearing and window shopping all cross in between the ears on every run. The truth is I think my perseverance or possible extreme stuborness comes from my early years dancing.
As a dancer, you spend your youth being told you suck so that you push yourself to the limit. As a teacher your job is to yell and correct and be nit picky. Your told to turn your hips out, split your legs in all directions, turn until you puke and stick you leg behind your head plus leap high and long across the floor. You better have emotion on while you do this and portray whatever character their asking for this week. To succeed as a dancer you learn that doors will shut in your face and you have to have tough skin. Not very long ago, I decided this life was not for me after a horrible full time job, went to college and got a bachelors. Once I was in school I realized that this description was only the description of my experience. I realized I spent many years trying to prove everyone wrong and there was nothing to prove. I have found jobs where I'm not expected to be hard but expected to teach kids to dance while they have fun. My current job is a no pressure, non competition school and the kids are actually pretty talented and we have a great time.
The beauty of running is the only competition is yourself. It's all on me. I don't have to correct anyone but me, I only need to be hard on me and I can do it when I feel like. I just go for a run alone with my thoughts and enjoy the moment. Needless to say all of my muscles have tightened up and I can no longer split in any direction and my leaps are horrible:(. At 31, the dream of being a dancer anyway are over but I have to say it is slightly embarresing when you lose weight, become a marathon runner and have to be that Dance Mom's lady and can't demonstrate because well, you suck.
So here lies my dancing career; I traded you in for real medals instead of cheesey dance trophies. You will be somewhat missed, but to my new best friend running; I love you !! Slow easy pace run today around the historical land of tea throwing. Bonus is Fall is coming. NYC I'm coming!!!