In February of 2010, I walked/jogged the Houston/Chevron Marathon 5K. It was my very first attempt. It was unplanned. And, I was totally unprepared for it. Physically, I felt up to the challenge but mentally, I did not realize what I was doing. I just knew that I had to do it. Even though, I have a string of
accomplishment behind me, I still felt as if I was under achieving. It I took the Marathon to change all of that.
I have a sign the size of the medal that I received for completing the marathon. The medal and a small post-it-note are almost the same size.
My sign sits on my computer monitor as a reminder that “I CAN DO IT!” whenever I have those “That’s a crazy idea! And “It will never work!” moments.
While walking the Marathon, my thoughts began to race ahead of me. What are you doing? Why did you think you could do this? Don’t you know how old you are? What if you don’t finish? Your family won’t know where you are to identify the body when you pass out. (I disclosed my private heroics to my oldest son the morning of the race).
It seemed as if I was at the very end of the runners as my mind continued on to tell me that “millions of people” were passing me by. I even noticed a gentleman who appeared to be in his 80″s zipping past me. I felt so disheartened.
Then my moment came. I heard a man remark to his young son who was jogging with him as they passed me by, “There are thousands behind us.” I knew then that I was not doing this for me but for the “thousands” behind me that needed to see me finish —proving to them that they could finish.
I no longer felt as if I was lagging behind. I was actually ahead of thousands!
Whenever I look at my post-it note it tells me to keep forging ahead. Don’t stop dreaming or achieving because of my age.
It is a reminder that “I Can Do It!” Furthermore, there are thousands watching my back.
Strategic Transformation Specialist & Christian Woman Motivation Speaker
Education * Motivation * Support
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