…continued from “Performance over Perception”
I hated running
But I started to run
1 mile, 3 miles, 5 miles
11.2 miles – on the beach, in the sand
No shirt, no shoes, no problem
And I wasn’t just running
I was racing
Racing an old me
An old time
Every time
1 mile in under 7:30
Then under 7
Then under 6:30
2 miles in 15:30
Then under 15
Then under 14
3 miles in 27
Then under 25
Then under 24
Insanity and Shaun T was over
T25 was fun, but behind me
It was time to design my own workouts
To become my own coach
My own inspiration
I dreamed about having my own gym
And helping people feel what I was feeling
Like I was on top of the world
And that I could do anything
I was focused on the race but dreaming about the next one
And the one after that
And the one 10 years from now
With my daughter at the finish line
Cheering me on
Yesterday she said
“I hope you win daddy”
I told her that I probably wouldn’t
Her response will live with me forever
“Work hard and don’t ever give up”
She’s four
And she’s right
I already won
Because I’m in the race
Off the couch
And finding a better me
I’m proud of myself
And I feel proud for what I have done
For what I have become
And for what I have shown myself I can do
For what I’ve taught my daughter
For what I’ve taught myself
It’s an amazing feeling
It was an amazing journey
And I know there’s more to come
My first spartan race is tomorrow
Mens Elite Sprint
No age bracket
No beginners run
No friends to joke with while they pull me up the wall
It’s me and my destiny
Next stop
Spartan Warrior!