*You’re stronger than you think you are. *

I can pity party around all day long and worry about the ‘what ifs’ of my
upcoming marathon and what is going to happen. I’m nervous about injury, ,
about things I have no control of (weather), and most importantly—failing.

My body is where it needs to be in terms of training. I know I can make it
across that finish line. Now it’s up to ME to make the decision as to
whether or not I’m going to have a good race. It’s up to MY mind to get me
to that finish line, and I have to believe that I CAN do it.

Thinking poorly of your ability to run and of yourself as a runner makes it
really challenging to push through those times you just want to give up.
You have to change how you view yourself and how amazing of a runner or
athlete you are. You can achieve more than you EVER thought possible. You
CAN put in those training miles, you CAN endure those tough long runs, and
you CAN make it to the finish line after 26.2, even if you never thought
you can. The result? Victory. Confidence. Happiness.

Your mind can hold you back more than you think. Have you ever started a
run with negative thoughts floating through your head, gotten lost in them,
and then ended your run with feeling of disappointment and guilt, knowing
that you could have pushed harder and gone further?

Isn’t it the best feeling in the world when you KNOW you gave it your
absolute ALL and finished with a smile on your face?

It’s crazy how powerful the mind is.

*“You have to learn to get comfortable with Being uncomfortable.” -Lou
Piniella*