Choosing to Make A Choice

I have a confession. I sometimes use the Internet as a Magic 8 Ball. In case you are wondering, let me explain to you how it works. You type something into Google like, “Will I get in to PT school?” or “Should I run a marathon?” and then you wait for the answer. COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS! I know. It’s just the honest truth, and putting it out there allows me to stop, laugh at myself, and NEVER DO IT AGAIN! ;)

Our choices aren't always clear-cut!

I’m mostly joking, but I guess the harsh cold reality is this: accepting responsibility for your own choices is intimidating. In fact, I’ve met a lot of people who never get to that place of acceptance, and they continue to shift blame or play the role of victim for their entire lives. I don’t want to be that person, but I also don’t want to be paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong choice. Like it or not, wrong choices are a part of who we are, and if we allow it, they’ll teach us and bring growth and achievement like we’ve never known. This brings me to reason 4,287 why I love running; there are no wrong choices.

I’m convinced that running builds confidence because there really are no wrong choices. For example, if you decide to run 5 miles, and you don’t quite make it, you can simply stop or walk. If you’re feeling good, you can speed up or add distance. The liberty to choose inspires confidence because you see where your mind can take you! Armed with this knowledge, and the incredible support of family, friends, and coworkers, I chose to run the 2012 Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon yesterday, in spite of an injury. Ultimately, here’s what I had to do.

I let go. I let go of my expectations, others’ expectations, my time goals, my desire to prove something, etc. and I simply did it. And you know what? I DID IT! I ran a marathon. I ran a marathon completely unprepared in terms of training, with less than three hours of sleep, and a hurt foot. You know why I was able to do it? Because yesterday’s accomplishment had nothing to do with running. As I’ve said in earlier posts, I have the rest of my life to be a runner. There will be dozens of other races and dozens of differing athletic opportunities, but yesterday was my day to make a choice: to make a choice and commit to it whole-heartedly, trusting myself, and believing that I was in control of the outcome.

I just can’t finish this post without a few expressions of gratitude. At the end of the day, no one can run for you; however, I can’t describe to you how wonderful it feels to know that other people believe in you. I would never be the person that I am today, nor would I be the person I am becoming, without the support of so many incredible people. To all those in my life who have the courage to truly live what they believe: thank you. Your actions have spoken louder than your words, and I can only hope I am learning from your example!