A Wren Says

The 15k never happened. After it was switched to a virtual option, I figured this was my chance to finally do the training. I counted back from the last date to submit my times and built out a training plan that I would definitely stick to because this time would be different. I would run three times a week over 10 weeks. I would be dedicated. I would finally succeed.

“What if you just do it now?”

Novel thought. What if I just accepted the challenge instead of putting it off? The next morning, I got up, headed to the trail, and started walking. I may not be able to run that distance yet, but I can complete it my way.

I realized that there was a story I was telling myself. The scene opened with all the things I couldn’t do, crescendo-ed with the explanations of why, and ended with a resolution of me not even trying. It was time to write a new story.

I worried I’d chose the wrong shoes for the job. I regretted not coming fully hydrated. I felt my under-trained legs ache with each mile. My lungs began to wheeze with the exertion. There were so many reasons for me to quit now, just a few miles in, but I continued to push myself.  

This is hard but doable.

With just two and half miles to go, I could sense the finish line. I wanted to push harder, but the strain was getting to me. My desire to speed-walk to the finish became a desire to simply finish. I had to slow the pace to make sure I could keep going.

The goal is to finish, however I can.

And then, there came the end. In the same amount of time, others would have completed a full marathon. That didn’t matter to me. This was my race to complete, and mine alone.

I now have a new idea of what I’m capable of. I’m excited to see to expand and write the new story of what I can do.