I can do hard things

My Senior year of High School I decided to try running. I joined the cross country team and I loved it. My love for running has continued as I have done 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons. Well, about 6 months ago I decided it was time to try something new and my sister and brother-in-law were running a marathon so I joined them. I knew that they would be faster having both ran a marathon before but I set my goal on finishing.

June 11, 2011 I ran my first marathon, this onehttp://www.utahvalleymarathon.com/ . It was the first race that I ran completely by myself. In the past I have ran most of my races with my little sister. It was different and kind of hard not having someone to talk or motivate me. I decided about half way through the race that I would be a cheerleader to all my fellow runners. I would yell good job and keep going to runner with ipods in. Those that didn't have an ipod in I would talk with for a while until they passed me or I passed them. It was really great talking to these people I have never met before. During miles 18-21ish I was all by myself and hurting really bad. I kept repeating my mantra to myself "I can do hard things", the more I said it the more I believed it. The rest of the race after that was still hard but I knew that I could finish and that is all I wanted to do.

I can do any hard thing I set my mind to do. It doesn't matter if it is enduring a trial or trying something new, I can do hard things. I know that I have it in me to succeed.

I can check this one off my bucket list, it was definitely an adventure. Perhaps one I'll try again.... in a few years.

                                                                     I think it was worth it.