You can do hard things!
Unless we want to spend life in hiding, fearful, or numbed out, we need to learn to show up afraid and move toward discomfort and practice doing things that feel hard.
When we do hard things we become stronger and more resilient. Hard things begin to feel easier; not because they are actually easier, but because by doing them, we become more adapted to and more adept at conquering them. Choosing to do what’s difficult makes us stronger to face other difficult things.
Running, by far, is the place where I’ve seen and experienced so much growth by doing difficult challenges. They get easier because I’m stronger. The challenges I face when training and racing only help give me the strength, mindset, and grit to do other hard things in my life.
Yesterday’s race was a good example of this. It was hard, the weather was cold and the course was demanding and unrelenting at points… with the hills, rocky terrain, switchbacks, miles of tow path covered with leaves ankle deep and 8 miles of rolling hills at the end… ugh. However, I knew that my experience at last year’s race and all the hard things I’ve done this year would only help me race harder and faster.
If I’m honest I showed up to the race a little scared. I really struggled last year on the Appalachian Trail and after the race vowed to never do it again. However, that’s not my personality. While it may have taken me some time to sign up again, I did. I knew I needed to do it again and see what I was capable of. I knew the course and knew where I struggled, but I also knew that my training this past year has made me stronger (mentally and physically) and I knew it would be easier because of that strength.
I’ve spent the last year training my ass off. Pushing my limits, getting up each day at 4am to workout for several hours. Why? To grow. To evolve. To change. To see and experience first hand what my body and mind are capable of. To build more tolerance to the discomfort and be the best that I can be.
The race was definitely uncomfortable, but I kept pushing forward one step at a time. My coach, Chris Draper reminded me beforehand to show up, to trust myself, and to run the mile I was in and if I could do those things, I’d get the result I wanted…. And it worked. I ran each mile that I was in. Tried to be present throughout and remind myself what a gift it was to be out there doing what I love. I was trained, experienced, and strong. And when pain and doubt creeps in like they always do, I shut them down immediately. I can do hard things. Those hard things led me to shaving off an hour from last year’s time. The course was the same, but I wasn’t.
You can do hard things too. You just need to not be afraid to try. Sure it’s going to suck and be uncomfortable, but you’ve got what it takes. It’s time to step up and believe in yourself and to never give up.