“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”      Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find the right road.”

Dag Hammarskjold

This past weekend, I demolished the last barrier standing between me and a life with no limits. You see, ever since childhood, I have felt totally inadequate about sports. I convinced myself that I just wasn’t any good at anything even remotely athletic. So I just didn’t try–and that feeling of inadequacy colored everything else in my life. As Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, either way you are right.”

5 months ago, I decided to take up running–I needed to do something physical to move past some difficult times–and I needed to do something to keep myself healthy. My goal was just to run a couple of miles a few times a week–maybe 6 miles total. But, guess what? I discovered that I was good at it. It made me feel good–physically and mentally. And I actually liked it and looked forward to getting up at 5 AM to run! Seeing the sunrise, hearing the birds, watching wildlife. Bonding with my running buddy. Now, I am running 5-6 miles at a time.

Long story short, on Saturday–at age 57– I ran my first road race. Me–that little kid who never cared a lick about athletics–actually taking part in an athletic competition. I ran a good race–out of the medals, but a personal best. I couldn’t be more proud of my accomplishment. For me, it is major. I broke through the barrier. And there are more races in my future.

But, I can’t take all the credit myself. I needed motivation & encouragement to get beyond my own fears and beyond that 2-mile mark. And that’s where my running buddy came in. Jared Chrudimsky actually planted the running seed in my brain over a year ago. And he kept reminding me that it was a good way to stay healthy, fit & young. He’s been there with me on the days when I’m flying like the wind, and on the days when I  thought I just couldn’t go another step. Encouraging me. Coaching me. And telling me–for the first time in my life–that I was good at it & should start running some races. He saw in me what I couldn’t see in myself…until now. (BTW–Jared also is the world’s best massage therapist. There’s a link to the Revitalize Massage Therapy website in the Links section of my website. Check it out–then book a massage with Jared!)

Think you can’t do something? Think again…it’s all a matter of attitude.

“I dream my painting. Then I paint my dream.”  Vincent van Gogh

“All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail.”

Dorothea Brande