Yes, this is one of THOSE kinds of posts...the sappy, trying to be motivational kind, which is rare for me as my primary means of communication is sarcasm.
My sisters (and our significant others) planned a road trip to Moab and Lake Powell for the holiday weekend. No one else in my family (or my husband) like to run. They legitimately think I'm bat-shit crazy for even entertaining the idea of running up Pikes Peak. To them, running 5 miles and 50 miles are the same thing, so they often tell other people 'my sister is crazy, she runs like 50 miles a day.' This might not seem like a big deal to the average person, but as a "runner" I am well aware that 5 and 50 are incredibly different and I don't want them advertising to people that I'm something that I'm not....THAT, right there! That's what I want to focus on in this post; that phrase, "Something that I'm not". What does that even mean?! What is it that "I'm not" exactly?

Yesterday I convinced my posse to come out hiking on Moab Rim Trail while I ran it. As I'm running up a pretty aggressive stretch of slick rock, these two ladies pass me on their way down and I hear one of them say "I wish I could do that, run up this! No way." Took me a good minute to realize they were talking about me (yah, like a dork I looked around to see who they were talking about). Once I realized they were talking about me, I started wondering what the big deal was, why couldn't they run up this, it's not like I'm anything special. I didn't even think twice about being able to run up that terrain. All I did was start running in an attempt to get to the top, not giving much thought to if the terrain was easy or hard. I just put one foot in front of the other and away I went.

It's completely ridiculous, I know, but I have a hard time considering myself a 'real runner'. The best part? If you asked me to define or give some qualifications of a 'real runner', I couldn't. It's not like I think you have to own a certain number of running shoes, or run a certain number of miles to be considered a runner...so I'm not even sure why I doubt I'm a runner. I guess it's just hard for me to believe that I am.

What's the point of this ramble you're likely asking by now...Point is, when you stop focusing on how hard or easy something is going to be, and instead focus on putting one foot in front of the other, and just trust yourself , you'll be amazed at what you will accomplish. So to all you first time Garden 10 milers (or people who have ridiculous metal battles like myself), just believe you can do and move your feet, before you know it you'll be at the finish! And, yes, I know, easier said than done. But if you consistently put in the work and more importantly, believe you can do it, because YOU ARE A RUNNER, you'll do it, I promise!