Hitting the Wall

If you are at all familiar with the runner's lingo, you have heard of the dreaded “wall”. During a long run, typically a marathon, many runners experience a period where everything falls apart. Their legs become weak, they've lost all control of their breathing, overheating sets in, maybe the dreaded gingerbread man appears (look it up), and they feel as if they can no longer continue. While their heart says, "please don't stop", their mind and body is screaming, "for the love of God, stop!”

I started running for the sole purpose of wanting to do something I had told myself I couldn't do. I was NEVER a runner. In fact, by the age of 24, I had never completed a mile without taking a rest. Or two. Maybe four.... So I decided that by my 25th birthday, I would complete a half-marathon. What I did not realize is that I would be embarking on an adventure that would make the challenges of life easier to overcome. I experienced both "the wall" and "runners high" many times throughout my training and had it not been for these two experiences, I would likely be less optimistic about overcoming challenges.

Every week I had to run further than I did the week before. Mind you, the week before I had decided that I had run the furthest I could ever possibly run. It was a mind game. But I prepared myself each week by following the plan I had in place, and each week I accomplished what I set out to do. There were many moments I told myself I couldn't do it, and that God gave me short legs to sit and not run... But I continued. Because I needed to prove to myself that I could. I ran my first half-marathon the month I turned 25. It was known to be a difficult race with steep hills and I was told that it would be okay to walk. But I ran the entire race and at the end, felt like I could run home! I proved to myself that with hard work, dedication, DISCIPLINE, and a plan, I could do anything. I would eventually run 4 more half-marathons and continue to run as a reminder.

The Wall is an amazing part of a runner's experience because it is the part that makes crossing the finish-line so emotional. Runner's often raise their arms at the end, sometimes in tears, not because they had a great workout, but because at one point they did not think they would make it. And they did.
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Life is full of “walls” and in those moments we must focus on our goal, check-in with our mind, seek inspiration, and keep going. Because the “runners high” eventually comes, and in that moment you are UNSTOPPABLE.

My challenge to you for this weekend:

Set out to do something you don't think you could do. Go for a difficult hike, run a mile, finish a book, cook an elaborate meal, sign up for a half-marathon! Whatever it is, make sure it is something that will not only surprise you, but will have you asking, "What else can I do?"

The photo is blurry, but this was my first race. I felt UNSTOPPABLE.