After the life changing event of becoming a runner, "You've got this" has now become so recognizable. I hear it way more often... or maybe I'm just more in tune when I hear it being used. I realize there is much more meaning behind it. Maybe that's why it sticks out to me more often?! I like hearing this phrase at a race especially when spectators say "You've got this" when their loved one passes by. I know how hearing that can provide that added boost when it may feel like you can't go on any longer. I see these three words used all the time, not just in sports, but in academics, in relationships and when there are challenges in life to overcome.
Last night these three words were present over and over and over in my brain... sometimes they even slipped out through breaths in a faint whisper when I needed my ears to actually hear them with sound. I took on 3.45 miles in a pretty technical course at one of the prettiest parks in Rochester. Lucien Morin is known for it's single track of ups, downs, more ups, more downs and pretty scenic sights. Mother Nature blessed us with a pretty calm evening.(...although I would have liked a breeze during some of the pretty humid inclines.) I was afraid of injury, hated the feeling of being alone at times all while knowing I was proving something to myself. At that point, no one else mattered. It didn't matter who was supporting or not supporting me... It was all on me to complete this task! It was the first time meeting Lucien Morin. I have heard stories about the terrain and was intimidated and excited all at the same time.
My husband took on a pretty huge challenge this past Saturday and seeing him complete it was pretty spectacular. Up and down a mountain, twice, to claim 26.2 status for the second time. Watching him do this, inspired me to try to catch a glimpse of what he see's on his runs and races. It was the fuel in my fire. I didn't know if I was even ready for this feat, but I needed to try. I needed to see where I was, how I matched up... to no one by myself. Lately I have been feeling the need to start gauging what I can do and am capable of and couldn't think of a better way to do it.
Last night showed me that sometimes you have to be your biggest supporter to get the job done, or at least put yourself out there to see what you can truly do. Last night I was there among friends, but I was alone in my thoughts.... feeding off that repetitive phrase I kept saying over and over:
You've got this!
When crossing that finish line, un-injured with such a fight in my heart I realized that "I did (effectively) get that"... or however the English language would like me to phrase it. And that's what moves me today... even more than I thought it could.
My biggest problem is that I get all fired up after events like these and the excited emotions that follow that finish line. I hope to stay in this light for a while and to keep pushing myself to higher challenges. The goal is to not get bogged down with excuses that say I can't. Because... I've got this.
(And you do too... so go get out there and show yourself your ability!)
Thanks for reading!
