Running Toward Healing: My Journey to Personal Growth
My mind is laser-focused on one goal: finish. My left knee and ankle are throbbing. I’m limping as I struggle to jog, crusty sweat caked into every crevice of my body and I’m nearly bleeding through my pants because of course I’m menstruating this week of all weeks. But I finally see the Acropolis looming in the distance. The spectator’s cheers around me create a magnetizing pull toward the finish line. I am about to complete the Athens Original Marathon.
My relationship with exercise has been turbulent. A pointedly unathletic child, my parents insisted on enforced athletic participation. Apparently this would make me a more well-rounded child, look good on college applications and perhaps most importantly, prevent me from getting fat. I understood from a young age that a snack may last a moment on my lips and then remain forever on my hips, as the adage goes. One should not be able to “pinch an inch” I learned in middle school as girls began to compare body hair and jiggling of thighs. Tyra Banks screamed at 115 pound women that they were too fat to be models. The message was clear: to be fat was to be ugly. To avoid being fat, one must exercise.
Society is particularly cruel to adolescent girls.
From adolescence throughout most of my 20’s, exercise was a vehicle towards thinness, which meant beauty. The only time I exercised was to lose weight, never giving thought to potential mental, emotional or even general health benefits. It wasn’t until I nearly reached rock bottom that I gained some clarity.
I arrived in Athens, Greece in 2022 with no job, no home and as an emotional and mental wreck after having left my home of more than seven years. I firmly believed I had nothing to which to look forward and was hurtling toward the end of my rope at breakneck speed. And then one day, for reasons which remain a mystery, I, the ever “unathletic” one, decided I would run the Athens Marathon.
This goal became an anchor whenever I felt untethered and a guiding light when life felt dark. Running, especially long distances, allows me to escape from the surrounding distractions and simply be. It’s solely my thoughts, my breath, the rhythm of my feet hitting the ground and my heart beating in my chest. Much like meditation, time disappears when you’re in it. Running and exercise were suddenly about more than appearances. They were about survival.
Completing my first marathon was an incredible achievement in and of itself. But rescuing myself from the darkest depths through training was the greatest victory. So when I reached that finish line at the Panathenaic Stadium, it wasn’t only a physical achievement. It was an achievement of mind, body and soul. Running saved me.
And this newfound bond with my mind, body, and soul gained through running triggered a profound shift within me. It propelled me toward a more holistic and interconnected lifestyle, drawing me to the serene landscapes of Georgia. It was amidst this exploration that the seeds of Allie's Acre and our Release and Reset Retreat began to sprout. These endeavours aren't just about sharing a simpler, more grounded way of life; they're about nurturing a sisterhood of kindred spirits united in our quest for personal growth and inner peace.
If the notion of embracing a lifestyle grounded in the unity of mind, body and nature resonates with you, I extend a heartfelt invitation to join our community. Reach out to me at alliesacre@gmail.com or visit our retreat page to express your interest and delve deeper into our shared journey. Together, let's embark on a voyage of self-discovery and harmony with ourselves and the world around us.
Meet Allison (aka: Allie, Alle, Al)
I'm a native Texan and avid traveler since before I could walk! Raised in a family that enjoyed discovering the world, I’ve kept the tradition of exploration alive over the years. Having lived in seven countries and traveled to more than 40, I’m a well-seasoned adventurer. Using my extensive travel expertise and travel organization skills, I’ve spent over a decade designing travel for myself, loved ones and on a professional basis.
After seven years of living in Moscow, Russia, I decided to explore Georgia and share the wonders of discovering this fascinating country with others by organizing tours and hosting retreats through my passion project, Allie’s Acre.
I look forward to helping you plan an exciting and rewarding holiday to beautiful Georgia (and beyond)!