Brave

      Recently I ran my first 6k.  Now for those of you who run 10ks, 14ks, half and full marathons that is not much and I take my hat off to you.  I can sincerely say though, that the distance you have run in miles is nothing compared to the distance that I traveled from walking my first lap to completing a registration form.

     Frankly, I didn't sign up for races because I was scared.  I was scared of running an unknown course, of being out there alone, that I would miss a sign and go the wrong way,  come in last or not finish at all.  Mostly though, I  was scared of letting myself down.   I have been  my own worst enemy with so many things in the past.  Would this be another?   I didn't want to try and fail so publicly.  I was afraid that, if I set a goal and didn't reach it, it would shred  my confidence for trying anything new or unknown for a long, long time.

     Here's the thing:  We can watch our lives unfold passively from the sidelines or we can roll up our sleeves and get in the game which will greatly increase our chances of things turning out the way that we hope.  You see, what we do casually -- what we consider rudimentary,  has value and routinely adding a little bit to what

we are already doing increases our strength, will power and ability to accomplish more.    Listen, if you get up every day in a empty relationship and go through the motions feeling alone what would be the difference if you actually were on your own?  At least you wouldn't have to worry about what another person is or is not doing.  If you can balance a calendar containing multiple people and all their activities while managing to keep your home running smoothly why couldn't you replace one of those bullet points with a class you have always wanted to take to learn something new?  All I am saying is take a chance. Bet on YOU. You are already doing it.  We only get this one life; don't let time and circumstance steal it away.   You don't have to have all the answers today.   Just take one step in the right direction.  You will be surprised at how easy the next steps come.  You just have to be brave enough to take them.

     So, how did I get from fear to finish line?  Before the race I was in the ladies room for let's say, the umpteenth time that morning playing back every "what if" scenario that I could think of when God spoke to my heart and said,

Adrienne!  It's just Sunday.

What that meant was for the previous 6 weeks or more, I had been running between 3 and 5 miles every Sunday.  Not in preparation for anything -- just to do it.  God was reminding me that not only COULD I do it, but that I HAD BEEN doing it.  This time if was for the record, this time it was on purpose....but I was ready.

     I thank Him for that because suddenly everything was clear -- it really was just another Sunday.  I was happy, I was confident, and I finished my first OFFICIAL 6k (3.72 miles) in 51 mins. Faster than I ever had at home.

      I wish I could tell you that that was the beginning of my successful reign over the asphalt but it wouldn't be true. My hands shook as I typed in the registration for my next race.  Maybe that is something that I will always have to contend with, but  I will not let a temporary fear keep me from a permanent  accomplishment.  'Neither should you.   Someone asked me once what my secret to running is .  I said,  "After my first step I don't let my legs stop moving."  It really is that simple.  Whether you motivate yourself or life shoves you in a direction you didn't anticipate, set your foot down. Land on your feet. Take that first step and don't let your legs stop moving. You can do anything you want or need to.  You won't let yourself fail.   Go on.  Be brave.