Now, this is a story all about how my life got flipped, turned up from down.
I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there.
I’ll tell you how it became a part of an inseparable pair.
(You sang/ rapped it, right?)
If you’ve ever felt like you were running from your life instead of running toward it, this one’s for you. In Chasing Shadows, Finding Love: A ‘Run for Your Life’ Story of Transformation, I share the deeply personal journey of how I found love—not just with someone else, but within myself. It’s a story about running, yes, but more importantly, it’s a story about resilience, and the messy, beautiful process of becoming whole.
Spoiler alert: It involves a marathon, a turtle backpack, and a love story I never saw coming. But more than that, it’s about the transformative power of facing your shadows and discovering the light within. Let’s dive in.
Running Away, Running Toward
This story begins in a place many of us know too well: running from ourselves. I picked up running during a rocky chapter of my second marriage. At the time, I thought it was just a way to blow off steam, but looking back, I can see it was so much more.
Running was both an outlet and an escape. It gave me a sense of empowerment and aliveness, but it also became a way to avoid the hard truths of my life. I ran to avoid communication breakdowns, difficult conversations, and the emotions I didn’t want to face. My mind was busy, and running became another layer of distraction—a way to numb the pain.
But here’s the thing about running: eventually, you have to stop. And when you do, you’re left with the quiet moments of reflection and the unavoidable confrontation with your inner turmoil. As Dennis Kreba, one of my co-authors in Run for Your Life, writes: “Sobriety introduces a new problem in life: free time to think.”
Running was my “sobriety”: It forced me to stop numbing and start feeling. And that’s when the real transformation began.
The List That Changed Everything
One of the biggest turning points in my journey was creating a list of my ideal relationship desires. This wasn’t just a casual exercise, it was a deep dive into self-discovery. I realized that I needed to love and care for myself first—not just for my own benefits, but for my kids too. They needed me to show them how to choose themselves, how to create a life they truly loved.
This meant no more people-pleasing, no more masks. It meant stepping into my authenticity, flaws and all. I discovered that I was already whole, already loved, and already enough. But to experience the unconditional love I desired, I had to risk heartbreak—I had to put my heart on the line and show up as my full, messy, imperfect self.
And when I did, everything changed.
Love at the Finish Line
The marathon that changed my life came after five long months of having my marital home on the market. When it finally sold, I felt a huge sense of relief—and freedom. I lined up that morning behind a pace bunny wearing cute ears on a headband and a turtle backpack, ready to crush my goal of finishing in under 4 hours and 15 minutes.
What I didn’t expect… was to find love at the finish line.
After years of chasing my own shadows, I found love, but it wasn’t what I thought: I found myself. And as an added bonus, I found a partner who was aligned with the person I had become. But here’s the truth: the magic wasn’t in meeting him. The magic was in the transformation that had already taken place within me.
Discovering I was whole, loved, and enough was my ultimate victory lap.
The Messy, Beautiful Adventure of Life
As Tanya Jacobs writes in Run for Your Life: “An incredible amount of beauty came out of Trevor’s death. Being alive felt like a gift. An opportunity not to be wasted.”
Though I haven’t gone through the loss of a spouse in the same way, this perspective resonates deeply with me: going through a divorce was one of the most grief-invoking experiences of my life. There were moments when moving forward felt impossible, when the pain was so overwhelming that I sat in my van and cried. But those dark times led me to a deeper appreciation for life—for every breath, every moment, every opportunity to truly live.
Life is messy. It’s painful. It’s beautiful. And it’s worth every step of the journey.
Your Turn: Embrace the Journey
What shadows are you running from? What truths are you avoiding? And what would it look like to stop running and start facing them?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and takeaways. Drop a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going.
And if you want to dive deeper into this story—alongside 13 other incredible runners-turned-authors—check out Run for Your Life: Lessons Learned from Going the Distance. You can also listen to the full podcast episode here: Chasing Shadows, Finding Love: A ‘Run for Your Life’ Story of Transformation.
Remember, love and fulfillment come from within. When two whole people come together, that’s when the real magic happens.
I love you! Now let’s go do some epic shit, shall we?
Christy xo
Don’t forget to subscribe to Create Your Happy on your favourite podcast player, and grab your copy of my book Love, Unstuck which is packed with the tools and strategies you need to transform your relationships from the inside out.
Tune into the full episode here:
Additional Resources
Run For Your Life: Lessons Learned From Going the Distance: For those inspired to take their first steps towards self discovery and love, check out “Run For Your Life: Lessons Learned From Going the Distance,” and read my full story, Chasing Shadows, Finding Love. Pre-order available for ebook now, paperback available March 15. This collection of stories is a source of inspiration for anyone on the path to finding themselves and their place in the world. For more information click here.
Drawing on the transformative journey shared in Episode 13, the “Unstuck for Women Daily Self Discovery Journal” emerges as a vital companion for those navigating their paths to self-love and personal fulfillment. Just as the episode unfolds a narrative of running towards self-discovery and finding love in unexpected places, this journal offers daily prompts and reflections designed to guide you through your own metamorphosis. It’s a tool that encourages you to explore your inner landscape, embrace vulnerability, and cultivate a deeper connection with yourself—mirroring the essence of the podcast episode and enriching your journey towards becoming unstuck and wholly you. Order here.
Love Reimagined Course: Discover how to create relationships that are aligned FOR YOU with ‘Love Reimagined.’ This course guides you through the process of discovering and embracing your whole self and using this deeper understanding to enhance your personal love story. Register for this transformative program here.
Authenticity Unleashed Program: A comprehensive guide to building unshakable self-trust and forging deep, genuine connections. This program is your roadmap to embracing vulnerability and creating a life you love. Register now and discover how YOU hold the keys to creating a life and relationships you truly love!
Additional resources and offerings
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Listen/ Watch
S3E13 | Chasing Shadows, Finding Love: A ‘Run for Your Life’ Story of Transformation
