I'm an average woman; a woman no different than any other.. Average abilities, lower than average height and higher than average weight (for my height). I step out of bed one foot at a time, I don't function without a cup of coffee in the morning. I've lived a less than exciting life (with a few moments of shear ecstasy woven in). I have a less than average education (one year of college), less than average job excitement (Ive changed jobs an average of every three to five years most of my adult life). And I have raised 3 healthy (thank God) adult children, (not sure how they turned out so good.)
I'm just saying that there is nothing in my life that marks me as special, gifted, wise, etc. And yet I have done some pretty amazing things that I never thought I could or would ever do. It really makes me wonder why other people wont step out on that narrow branch and spread their wings to fly.
I know that there are those gifted people who shine in their area of expertise ( the Michael Jordan's of the world), not that their achievements aren't hard earned, but they do seem to have an edge over the rest of us. But, I'm talking about overcoming the fear, procrastination, laziness, time constraints, etc and all the other excuses (because that's what they are) and doing something they have always wanted to do. Just throwing off the constraints; yelling to the world "Screw it!!!" And plunging in with everything they have!!!
I never thought I would be a runner. I'm too short, too slow, too fat, too old, to whatever! But at 40 years old, 5' tall and 180 pounds, I decided " Oh what the heck! I'm tired of all the excuses! I'm tired of being fat, I'm tired of being tired! I'm too poor to join the gym, and don't have time anyway!" So I started running. well, walking first. There was no way I could run more than a few feet a that point in time. But I decided to move my butt! (Why don't people decide to move their butts?!!!)
Yes, I had to make some sacrifices! I had to get up earlier in the morning. I had to endure sore achy muscles as I added more time and speed. After quite a long time and humiliation (being passed by an 80 year old man), I worked my way up to 3 miles of jogging. I lost 50 pounds and eventually moved o Arizona ( from WA state), where my darling sister spurred me on to add more and more mileage. The first year here, every run brought a new milestone. First 5 miles, then 6, 7, 8 (this one was huge!) I ran my first half marathon in 2006 and I felt like I had accomplished a flight o the moon and back We continued to add events and worked up to 3 half marathons per year. Until 2009 - When my Friend and coach convinced me to run a full marathon. She told me that my sister said she would if I would and told my sister the same about me.
We ran the Tuscon half in December, the PF Chang's Rock and Roll in January and the IMS Arizona Half in February. Then 2 and a half months later or first full marathon. 26.2 miles in San Diego California (which was totally awesome!) But the 2.5 months of training just about killed me! You want to talk about sacrifice! We were on the road by 5 am two mornings per week and ran 5 to 20 miles on those days as well as 2 medium sized runs during the week in the evenings. We ran in freezing rain (on the 18 mile day), we ran in the heat (101 degrees on the 20 mile day). We got dehydrated, chafed, blistered, sick, sunburned, and chilled to the bone.
Yet we continued our practice runs long past when we hit the wall and were ready to quit, long past throwing up on the side of the road, being chased by dogs, getting lost in the desert and screaming at the top of our lungs (mine in particular) "I'm done!!! Bring me the truck! I'm not taking another step!" (that was on the 101 degree, 20 mile day. Thank God it was our last long practice run!) We continued.
What made it all worth it? What made it so good? It was crossing that finish line in San Diego with a smile on my face! I had endured the hard parts - those practices. The real race, in 62 degree San Diego was a breeze! tI not only was physically easier (because of climate), but it changed me. I learned some things about myself.
I learned that I'm not just an average, short, chubby, girl. No! I elevated myself into a whole new bracket. I am above average!! I have accomplished something that 95% of people will not even take the first step to accomplish. That puts me in the top 5% of people in the world. If I can run a 26.2 mile foot race in a short, chubby, average, 49 year old body, what else might I be able to accomplish? The sky's the limit!
I've started to raise my expectation of myself. I've continued to run at least 2 halves every year and I've run in some really neat places like Seattle. I've also hiked the Grand Canyon, North to South rim. I've changed careers yet again and have doubled my income in the last 2 years!
I've learned that "average" is a state of mind.
And everything worth having or accomplishing is worth working for.
I hope you will too.
