“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream another dream.” – C.S. Lewis
Earlier this year I wrote a blog entry about running. At that time in July, as part of my training program, I had just run a 10K (6.2 miles) and I was pretty proud of myself. I worked up to 6 miles of course over a 4 month period starting with training for a 5k (3.1 miles.) Each week, I gradually put in more miles and added races here and there. I set goals at every level and I reached them all.
My final goal of course was to be able to run a Half-marathon (13.1 miles.) This past Sunday, I accomplished that goal and ran the Detroit International Half-marathon in 2 hours and 45 minutes. Of course, I didn’t do this overnight, but I can tell you that I went from not running at all in February, to finishing a half-marathon in October the same year.
Of course we all set goals for ourselves and we accomplish them with differing levels of gusto. I can tell you that I am a very busy person too. I have two kids under the age of 5, a full time job, an active volunteer career in both Wyandotte and around the state and an amazingly patient and understanding husband. But, staying active is important to me and accomplishing a goal like this is such a motivator to do more.
The most amazing thing is that most people probably do not realize the potential they have to accomplish big goals and do it in a short period of time.
I was out there on Sunday morning at 6:45am standing on Fort Street in downtown Detroit with nearly 20,000 people waiting to test my strength and durability running through the streets of Detroit and Windsor. While I was most definitely not alone, I was amazed at the variety of people there to accomplish the ultimate test. People aged 16 all the way up to 80 years old and every age and weight range in between. I met some great people and learned some lessons that I will not soon forget.
By setting a goal like this, you learn that it really is about the journey along the way too. As wonderful as it feels to have finally made it, I really enjoyed training to meet my final goal and hitting the little milestones along the way were part of the experience. I hurt myself early on in the training and realized that I had to change my approach to training and my routine if I were going to make it to the next milestone. Testing my strength and psyche with a goal like this was so telling and amazingly worth it.
What I have to say in the end is that this is life and we have to enjoy it. Testing the limits of our abilities and making amazing accomplishments is part of it. And…it’s easier than you think! If you haven’t started thinking about what you really want to do, then sit down and think about it. If you are fortunate enough to have accomplished many of your life’s goals then try something new.
My new goal (and I mentioned this back in July) is to train for a marathon. I can tell you that I am not sure how I will get there. Having run half of a marathon on Sunday, I now have a true appreciation for those crazy runners as there was no way under the sun I could have run another 13.1 miles when I was done. But my hope is that one day in the not so far future, a marathon will be a piece of cake.
