Marathon Madness: A Tale of 26.2 Miles and a Whole Lot of Grit
It was race day, and there I stood at the starting line, nerves buzzing with excitement and anticipation, gearing up to tackle 26.2 miles of pure joy, pain, and maybe tears (in that exact order). Little did I know, I was about to dive into what would push me beyond my limits. Oh, the thrills that awaited!
As the miles stretched out before me, each step became a testament to grit, focus, and determination. Sure, there were moments of doubt and fatigue, but with every stride, I could feel myself growing stronger – both physically and mentally. “I can do this. I’m doing it,” I told myself. Mile after mile, I cruised along, fueled by a mix of perseverance and pure adrenaline. But then, somewhere between mile 13 and 18, doubt started creeping in. "Could you really handle this whole marathon thing?" it whispered. Well, I wasn't letting it rain on my parade!
Mile 20 arrived– oh boy, that's where things got real tough. I had never run past 20 during my training. It felt like hitting a brick wall. Like I got hit by a train. Doubts flooded my mind, my body screamed in protest, and every step seemed like an uphill battle. "What the f***! What were you thinking?" screamed-echoed in my head. I was a wreck. I had 6 more miles and I wanted to cry. But I refused to give in to the pain. Or did I? My mind was racing. “Is my foot still okay?” After all, it did collapse just 2 weeks prior (another story for another time). “I should give up. I already past training length, and 20+ is a kick-ass number. I’ve already gone beyond what I thought I could do.” My inner 7 year old started whining. “No, I don’t wanna anymore…” (insert tearful pout).
Yet despite the exhaustion and the relentless inner voice telling me to quit, I dug deep. It was a mental and physical war zone, but I pushed through. It was brutal, no doubt about it. But amidst the agony, there was a glimmer of something else – a flicker of determination, a spark of resilience. It was in that darkest mile that I found a strength I never knew I had. Mile 20-22 wasn’t just a test; it was a battleground, and I emerged victorious, battered but unbroken. And just when I was about to throw in the towel, guess who showed up? Life partner to the rescue! Saw my red bearded giant standing on the sidelines with a smile so big I cried. Talk about perfect timing. With a boost of encouragement and a sprinkle of "you've got this," I found a second wind. But wait, there was more! Friends popped up along the way like magical cheerleaders, turning those last few miles into a mini-party. Okay, more like a runner friend passed me and cheered me on, and I unexpectedly saw another friend in the crowd there to cheer her son on. Nevertheless, their mere presence gave me the boost I needed to keep going.
Then there it was…that last mile, the home stretch, the uphill battle (literally). It was like the universe decided to throw in one final test of will just for kicks. But hey, cursing uphill was a rite of passage, right? So I joined the chorus of colorful language, fueled by equal parts determination and desperation.
And then, it happened. I saw it up ahead, shining like a beacon of hope – the finish line. With one final burst of energy, I charged forward, crossing that glorious threshold with a grin so big it could light up the night sky. And then I broke down in tears. This time, happy tears.
So why did I tackle a marathon? Because it wasn't just about running 26.2 miles or crossing the finish line. It was about the process, the lessons learned through prepping and training, proving to myself that I could conquer tough challenges, and the person I became along the way. It was about setting a goal that scared me and then crushing it. And it was about joining a community of fellow runners and strangers on the sidelines who cheered each other on every step of the way.
Not ready for the full 26.2 miles? No worries! Start small with a 5K, then work your way up to a 10K, half marathon, and eventually, that full marathon. So go ahead, lace up those sneakers and set your sights on that finish line. Trust me, the journey will be worth it, and the feeling of crossing that finish line will be unlike anything you've ever experienced before.
We don’t have to wait for our confidence to rise to achieve challenging goals. Oh no, we can build it THROUGH achieving challenging goals. So embrace the self-doubt, relish in the growth, and tackle those dreams head-on. You've got this, and I believe in you!
Ready to conquer your own marathon-sized goals? Let's make it happen! Contact me HERE, and let's embark on this wild journey together. Adventure awaits!
