Who will You Inspire if You Reach for Your Dream?

Expect snow in Pennsylvania today! (explanation below)

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Take a risk.

Shoot for the stars.

Reach for your dreams. 

Go outside your comfort zone.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are!

We’ve all seen, heard and said inspirational quotes such as these. Most of the time they motivate me, though I have to admit ever now and then they annoy me, especially on the days when I want to be a bum and sit on my bum doing nothing.

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But overall, thoughts like that were part of the equation that helped
me move from a depressed, angry couch potato to a marathoner. 

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As I’ve slowly increased my running over the past few years, I wondered what it would be like to do a full marathon, but I was concerned about the risks and hard work involved.

Do I have what it takes to do 26.2 miles? 
Do I have the discipline to do the necessary training?
How far can I push my beat-up body, without injuring myself?

When my body continued to respond well to training, I decided to sign up for the marathon, along with wanting the experience of doing it, I wanted the sense of accomplishment that comes from taking a risk and going outside my comfort zone.

Of course, as soon as I expressed my desire, I had naysayers trying to talk me out of it. And for a time I almost allowed their concerns to overshadow my desire. But then I realized I was annoyed with myself and with them… because I was giving them control of a decision that was not theirs to make. (which was my fault, not theirs)

But, past spontaneous, stupid decisions I’ve made didn’t give me the luxury of totally ignoring them, so I listened to them and evaluated what they said. Their biggest concern was how my body would handle it, but after considering the sources, I realized all the people cautioning me not to do it aren’t runners nor are they in the medical field. They don’t realize how gently stressing of our bodies makes them stronger, plus they don’t know my body like I do.

So I took the plunge and reached for my dream!

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And the cool thing is when you
do what you can, with what you have, where you are to pursue your dreams,
it’s amazing how it affects others in your life.

Jerry (my husband) has always been a big supporter of my running. Though he had a few cautions concerning the marathon (like would I be willing to drop out if something hurts too much) he encouraged me every step of the way.

But he isn’t wasn’t a runner. Over the years, he did a few short runs with me and twice he even did a 5k with me. But he’s never initiated running or gone on a run on his own. And I haven’t tried to make him a runner, because I’m big believer in live and let live... and trying to force a spouse to do something is the surest way to a miserable marriage. (don’t ask me how I know)

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But here’s where the snow in PA in May comes in.
Right now, Jerry is out for a run while I sit here writing this!

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If I wouldn’t have seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it. But since the marathon, we’ve gone for a few walks together, initiated by him (because I was all about resting my tired bum) and now he’s decided he wants to become a runner. And since I wanted to write a blog post, he want on a run by himself.

He’s seen me running for the past 18 years, including a return to running four years after the accident. He’s encouraged and supported me, hearing about more running issues than a non-runner should have to listen to.

And the thing that inspires him to start running is me doing a marathon. I would never have predicted this. He’s even talking about doing future races with me… maybe even the Runner’s World Half on October 21st.

Woohoo!

Despite risks and naysayers,
Reach for your dreams, you never know who you will inspire!