Motivation

Why do we keep moving when are so tired? What makes you take that final step or continuing to push through the difficult? We have so much more control over our head than we give ourselves credit for. We can push through some difficult obstacles if we believe in ourselves!

I have a bucket list. It is very long packed with  a bazillion places to see and things that I want to to do before my time clock expires. The fun of the bucket list is not really knowing how long that you have to complete it. It kind of motivates you in that way. Its a race against an imaginary clock and for a competition junkie such as myself....LOVES!!!  One of the items on this list is to complete a Triathlon. Now those who know triathlons know that they range from easiest to hardest. I did not specify on my list which I would do. I just wanted to say that I am a triathlete and I wanted to beat some others in a race. I know that I am not the only one to complete one, but the thought of swimming alone freaked me out let alone combining that with 2 other activities in succession....yikes. (or so I thought!!!)

I have been training since Octoberish for this feat. Oh it has not been the easiest of mountains to climb. I started small, and each week some voice in my head told me to push a bit more, and I did. It told me to go a bit harder, and I did. It told me not to quit (and oh boy have I wanted to at times), and I didn't! The motivation was from within (and of course a few fam/friends) to KEEP PUSHING. It has been tough and my plans to complete a triathlon have changed a bit. The race I was going to enter, I am now unable to do (long story) and so I sat thinking....Do I need a race to prove I can do this? Would I still be able to check it off my list if I just did it on my own?  This bucket list item started out to be about the race and along this training adventure I have been on I realized that it had nothing to do with the race. I put this item on my list because I thought it was difficult. I thought there is no way I can do that. It had nothing to do with a race and EVERYTHING to do with the voice within me! I wanted to accomplish something that initially I said I can't do!

After 6 1/2 months of hard work and initially not being able to swim more than 1 lap without stopping I can now say.....I AM A TRIATHLETE!!! CHECK :)
I decided that not being able to compete in the race that I wanted to do was not going to stop me from my check mark. I set up a "mock triathlon" at my gym. I started in the pool, did my 1/2 mile swim, changed quickly, hopped on a bike, did spinning/spinning class for 75 minutes, and then hopped on the treadmill for a 5K run! I know I know I didn't actually complete a "real" triathlon yet (in terms of a race against others) BUT what I figured out is IT WAS NEVER ABOUT THEM....IT WAS ABOUT ME!!! So if I am able to complete a race against others it will just be frosting on a great cake! I am proud of my accomplishment this weekend because I told myself that I would beat this thing....and I totally did it (sound familiar....CANCER???) !!!

I would like to take a brief moment now to thank that ugly beast named cancer for helping me to see that I am capable of really anything as long as I want it bad enough....WATCH OUT WORLD BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS NEXT! :)

So to all of you out there struggling with that voice in your head....tell it to take a day off and go out and do what it is you have been telling yourself that you could never do!!! You will be amazed at where a little hard work and some "ME" MOTIVATION will lead you! YOU CAN DO IT IF YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT!!!! GO GET IT :)



Oh by the way, some may be wondering what is next on my list.....Portland Marathon!!! (yikes I know, but its been on my list since I finished chemo and its time I run a race that will remind me very much of my cancer battle!!!) 
What is on your list???? (you can comment below if you want to share) :)