Thursday, April 14, 2011

If you think you can't.

Then your obviously not giving yourself enough credit. Martin Luther King said:

"Faith is taking the first step
even when you don't see the whole staircase"

I guess it's all about realising your potential even when you think you have nothing more to give. It's about realising that your journey has only begun from the moment you set your sights on a goal. That beyond every small step you take towards realising your dream there is always a something more you never thought possible/imaginable.

I, never thought I could. I, never thought I had it in me. I, was the first to question my abilities when everyone around me knew better. I, now know better. I know that whenever I say I can't or feel that overwhelming feeling sense of inability that I CAN. I just have to allow myself to do it. I have to let myself be free - free of those negative thought's, free of the old me. I am capable. And last night I proved it to myself.

I was so excited about last night and to this very minute still feel a great sense of accomplishment. More so because I have been struggling a bit with my left hip and ITB, so to have squeezed this out in not the best of conditions definitely has made me realise my potential.

Actual track was closed to us as the local Rugby League club has booked the track so we walked a few hundred metres up the road to a 770m loop that Chris had found in the local neighbourhood. The plan was to do 5 loops with the last one being a TT. And tonight's focus was all on form.

So after a one lap warm up it was time to begin. The first and second 770m I did in 3:38. Even keel in pacing but I think Chris knew I had more in me so the 3rd one he ran with me - keeping my head focused on my form and cadence. So, consequently that 3rd one was at 3:25. Boy, I was puffed. The cold night air was starting to get to my lungs but at the same time my body was boiling.

Number 4 & 5 were both done at 3:32 but the one I am most proud of was Number 6 - the TT.
As I set off down the road I tried to make my cadence fast and light. Tried not to make too much contact with the ground and really tried to pull up using my glutes and hammies, the bits I always forget to use. Heading down the road was fun - a nice steady decline which made it feel so easy. Easy until I hit the incline on the way back up and then it was time to start using the arms. Using them to help propel me onward and upward. I shortened my stride a bit, leant forward and increased my cadence and as I turned the corner for the home stretch I gave it all I had. I didn't want to leave anything in the tank and as a result of just letting myself be free I nailed that last one in a 3:08.

Never, ever in my wildest dreams did I ever think I could run like that. I never allowed myself to realise my dream - but yesterday was my time to shine. I felt GREAT. If this is what I am capable of after 6mths of intense training I am really looking forward to the next year.

Your hard work will be rewarded.

"The path to a dream is paved with sacrifices and lined with determination. And though it has many stumbling blocks along the way, and may go in more than one direction, it is travelled by belief and courage and conquered with a willingness to face challenges and take chances" Barbara Cage