Taking Risks Builds Muscle to Take On More

This past weekend marks four years since I completed the 2016 Chicago Marathon...a goal I had set for myself to complete when I turned 40. No one (sane) wakes up, laces their shoes and runs 26.2 miles. Everyone told me, the most challenging aspect of the marathon was going to be the months of training, often alone, preparing my mind and my body to go the distance. Building the muscle to prevent injury and enable me to complete my goal.

My objectives were simple: 1) complete in time to receive an official finisher medal 2) have fun 3) don’t die (not necessarily in that order - smile)

As I reached the top of the rise at mile marker two I came over the hill and there stood my home team, Thor and our kids – Anders and Brenna – holding signs and wearing “Wendy’s peeps” shirts they’d designed just for the occasion…I wasn’t expecting to see them downtown at the race

It was just the burst of energy and confidence I needed to keep going.

Any challenge you take on, especially something you’ve never done before is uncomfortable and feels risky – fear of failure, of not being prepared, can be overwhelming…going off to college, starting a new job, moving….every transition in life is a risk…

As in that decision to run my first marathon, the first step is the most critical…this is simply making the decision and committing…I’ve learned to give myself the freedom to fail…embrace the discomfort….

it’s only when we are uncomfortable that we grow.