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WHY NOT?
Coaches, educators, and friends… all ask us the very important “WHY?”
Why do you want this promotion? Why do you want to run this race? Why do you want to reach that goal? …
But I will encourage you to ask yourself “WHY NOT.”
Why not go for it? Why not make some changes? WHY NOT- CAN’T THAT BE YOU?!!!
Maya Angelou once said, "Nothing will work unless you do".
The reasons why and why not …. Typically revolve around FEAR. Impostor syndrome, disbelief, settling, laziness…
Henry Ford — 'Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.'
Our mindset (the established set of attitudes held by someone), determines our level of settlement. So if you go into that interview, that race, that challenge, hesitant, fearful, un-confident, un-fully committed, your WHY may not be strong enough to overcome that anticipatory anxiety.
{Anticipatory anxiety is worry about the future, the fear that bad things might happen or that you might become unable to successfully accomplish what you set out to do, or that you will and can’t handle it! }
Work through those FEARS (impostor syndrome, fear of failure, fear of uncertainty, fear of rejection, getting hurt), by dissecting the WHY NOT.
Consider positive possibilities instead of negative.
Focus on what you can control (and give the rest to GOD).
Make decisions based on reality (real numbers, statistics, what you have accomplished in the past but more importantly, other people’s accomplishments that were inspiring!)
Have a BRAVE conversation with yourself knowing that QUITTING, SETTLING, DNF’ing is a HABIT TOO!
Then use that to create your positive, supportive surroundings (friends, family, things you do, or DON’T DO)
Do not waste your time with anything that will not get you to your goals (replace them with the good things .. yup, that may mean replacing some “close” friends..)
CHANGE YOUR WHAT IF'S TO WHY NOTS!!!!
AND IF YOU DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING, NOTHING WILL CHANGE!!!!
“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are. It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!” ~ Rocky
When I toed the line for Run Rabbit Run 100 miler for the EIGHTH time… September 13th, 2024, I was as ready as I possibly could be for it. I took what I could control (the training, the nutrition, the mindset, the preparation and figuring out what I could realistically with doctors with the medical issues) and worked like heck for it… but also, letting go and letting God take care of the rest. The “rest” for me being all the medical conditions and things that could happen out there that were out of my control. I formulated a race plan with all the details. One must consider the mountainous course, high calorie burn, elements, and such… I just had a freak accident with my 90 lb 9 month old puppy who accidentally took me out from behind and caused a muscle tear at the top of my lateral gastroc head (calf). I did all that I could that week to care for it and now, at the starting line, I had to have my mind right. I had to let go and let God.
This sounds easy but most know that with a big challenge, there are the “WHAT IFs.” What if I don’t finish? What if I don’t get that raise what if … but what if you don’t go for it either? Why not try? It’s a dangerous back and forth battle we encounter… I was 10-15 years older than almost all my competition… WHO THE HECK do I think I am toeing the line with 20 and 30 year olds who certainly don’t have the list of doctors I do! (at least I hope not)..
But we can again change that around to What IF I never try? Or WHY NOT TRY?
‘Focusing on the positives can take us much farther in life in my opinion… did the race turn out how I wanted, nope.. But I still certainly felt accomplished.
I wasn’t going for the “preem” (the first to the top of the gondola)... but I also didn’t think I would be leading from the get go. The women’s field was noted as the deepest, most competitive field RRR 100 had ever seen. Within the field, stellar climbers and athletes like Emilie Mann of Canada and Leah Yingling … I’m sure we all had our certain strategies going in! Nevertheless, I found myself at the top first and after a quick walk through the crew station, I was on my way. I had some touch and goes with a few of the other encouraging female athletes and found myself 2nd place headed down fish creek falls. Heading back up, there I was again in first place…
{although not really knowing it because you never know who is taking longer at aid stations or not and you are just focused on taking care of you and getting out!} My favorite part is up next leaving Long Lake with it’s shimmering beauty and running a short tempo over to Summit Lake. Passing by fellow Rugged Runner Ross Bielak who had the best cheerful and positive attitude, it helped keep my motivation up!
Side note: Ross explains, he took the race-aid station to aid station (as I do and recommend as well… tackling the challenge one by one) Ross finished 35:48. That takes some serious GRIT!!! Congrats Ross!
On the way we ran by my happy place- Fish Creek Reservoir and Granite Campground. 10,500 feet. YAY! My ashes will be spread here some day…
I’m not going to lie, I was surprised to leave Summit to see another runner with fast foot speed. I think it was Leah Yingling. My goal to make it to the top of FOG by sunset was nailed.. I just caught the end of the bright orange ball dropping down behind the mountains. Another year and minute of bliss. Dancing down the Flash of Gold trail in the dark I heard a thump… I was still in the lead and either the person that thumped or another lead lady soon took over first place.
(I was familiar with the thump sound because I just caught a toe and fell hard on the bouldering rock! I thought, clean fall yay as I got right back up and kept going… little did I know until after the race that I damaged a lot of ligaments and tendons in my wrist and am now in a brace for a few more weeks!).
It was a game of leap frog heading into and out of Olympian hall. At this point they said the top 8 ladies were all within 20 minutes of each other. I couldn’t have been there without Wyatt and Maya (daddy daughter crew duo!)
I started to climb and kept a steady pace up Spring Creek (I actually took a bit of a wrong turn and lost a few minutes but all was okay).. At dry lake, my crew (Giovana, Deyvison, Adam, and Lynaia) did an excellent job pushing me through quickly…but at this point, I started to wonder, have I depleted my phosphorus stores? Do I need more calcium? Something just wasn’t feeling right , dizzy and such (yeah I know it’s a hundred miles, so I’m not going to feel great but with the health conditions and the outcome last year, we were trying to stick to a loose plan- loose because this is a rare disease, it’s also a combination of diseases and doctors will admit, they may never really see this condition again in their lifetime but furthermore in an elite athlete!)
Still running, still trying, for sure finishing this race… I kept going… However, my speed was no match for the other ladies. I finished RRR 100 for the 4th time in the top 10 over a spread of 13 years. First masters women, 7th women overall, and first to the top of the gondola. I will take it and compared to a few years ago when I lay in bed not even able to lift my arm to get a drink of water.. I will take it (as dramatic as that sounds, it was the truth and focusing on the positives even as I laid there is what got me here). I bet you are saying what positives? Like I’m still alive, watching my daughter grow, I can do a pushup here and there, I can walk a half a lap around the yard sometimes.. So little compared to where I am now, but sometimes we have to express gratitude for even the TINIEST things…
FIND YOUR FIGHT! FIND YOUR FIERCE! DO NOT SETTLE! FIND THE POSITIVES!
Officially retired from the 100 mile distance (ya ya.. Sure.. MAYBE if I’m bored when I'm 65 and feel my body is up for it..) I’m excited for the new chapter in life that includes “shorter” distances from 5k XC or Road Masters Champs to 50 miles (50 miles was always my favorite distance to race), coaching youth sports like the Mountain Movers and pouring all I know into them while continuing to education and support my adult clients, friends, and family. ALL SUCH A BLESSING!
And as I stated before… “Sometimes Blessings look like Bullshit”... but really you just need to Grow through what you Go through…even if it is some stinky “poop” try to find the positives and USE THEM!
THANKS THOSE THAT DONATED TO “MILES FOR MOUNTAIN MOVERS”!!!
Ross Bielak
Anna Hailey
Sandy Powell
Amy Johnson
Norm Williams
Andrea Hess
Our/My Additional Sponsors: ICESPIKE/Pandana Headwear (ps.. Icespike has the best traction for winter... get some now!)
Missed out? It’s not too late… we are looking for a sponsor for our Awards Banquet to be held at Beautiful Beaver Ranch Event Center in Conifer CO December 7th! This sponsorship would provide the trophies/plaques/awards for each of the kiddos as well as some of the food, drinks and decorations! We’d love to have you join us for our special night! $500+ tier level.
ALSO A SPECIAL THANK YOU ...
All the volunteers
Fred and Paul for putting on an epic race
The photographers such as @trailjunkiesphotos and Mountain Outpost
Rabbit EARS Running Store- Steamboat click
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