I CAN

"I'm going to succeed because I'm crazy enough to think I can."

A Facebook post in 2016 made me realize that I never earned a medal in my life. That was reason enough for me to sign straight up for my first half-marathon a few months later. Finishing my first official race lifted me in the clouds and let me sign up straight for my first marathon in 2017 in Berlin, which is one of the top 6 marathons in the world. To this day, my four marathon medals are still some of my proudest accomplishments, amongst others.

Due to Covid-19, I missed two more marathons in 2020, but I will soon do my first virtual marathon. I signed up and paid my race number fee. Virtual racing allows runners anywhere in the world to run a race at their convenience and the location of their choice during a specified race day. I need to send in my tracking time and distance from my watch or an app. This race will be the toughest thing I have ever done because I would have to run alone. This means:

> There will be no fair where you pick up your race number.

> There will be no 40,000+ other runners in the city and race day.

> There will be no starting line.

> There will be no starting box where you get boosted at least 30 minutes before the race.

> There will be no spectators to cheer for hours.

> There will be no one who gives you a high five.

> There will be no one who calls your name.

> There will be no volunteers who serve you water every 5 km and offer some fruits.

> There will be no musicians to spread good vibes.

> There will be no Red Cross for emergencies.

> There will be no km/miles signs.

> There will be not hundreds of people who fire you up in the finish line.

> There will be no music or speaker announcements.

> There will be no sports photographers.

> There will be no visual finish line where you get tears and goose pumps at the same time.

> There will be no one who puts your well-deserved medal around your neck.

All this will challenge not only my long-distance physical skills but also my mental toughness will also be my strongest asset. Now more than ever, my mental preparation during my race will play the most crucial part to step by step, km by km, miles by miles.

>> I will prepare my race better than ever.

>> I will use my fear of failure to my advantage.

>> I will remember myself about why I am doing this.

>> I will put myself on fire.

>> I will focus on what I can control.

>> I will do more power talks with myself.

>> I want to be more grateful than ever.

>> I want to be the cheerleader of the day.

>> I will accept this is a different type of race.

>> I will accept this is might not going to be my best performance time.

>> I will have fun and enjoy this experience.

>> I will be even more proud of myself.

>> I will have to wait for my well-deserved medal until I submitted my time to receive it by mail.

Now it is your turn to ask, "Why is she doing this?" Because of this Facebook post from friends, I got triggered, without doubts or overthinking I signed up and a new journey started. Everything I have learned so far, preparing, training, running community and running a marathon has helped me in so many ways in my life. I got mentally so much strong-willed, which helped me with my personal and business growth immensely.

Signing up for a virtual marathon is an immense challenge. I admit the beautiful Tokyo Olympic medal helped. (Only a runner can say this). In the end, it is far more. Covid-19 is for all of us very hard in many ways. Staying mentally healthy is vital. Accepting the sensitive time frame and figuring out what you can do on your best — not losing your focus, your goal, your courage, your conscientiousness, your perseverance, your resilience and your passion.

I was lucky enough to train during the lockdown; I realized my goal and fire for my Chicago and Berlin marathon are gone due cancellations. I needed a new purpose. A virtual race is not my ideal goal. However, I said to myself: "2020 is a year of virtual events, let's adjust and do it". End of 2020, I want to tell myself how I have grown out of this situation. I want to remember about my accomplishments, my learning curve, my achievements, and yes, I want to be proud. 

I am not telling you, you have to start running a marathon. I am sure you have your own goals. Whatever purpose you are aiming for, I'd say that mental preparation is the most critical part of achieving your goal.

The mind is a powerful force, and it can cause us to become easily defeated if we allow it, but, if you learn to control that part of your mind, that tells you "No" - the part of your brain that tells you to give up and quit - well, then we would become practically invincible.

 With your power of passion and perseverance, you have a better indicator of the long-term success of your long-term goals.

"If we did all the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves" - Thomas A. Edison.