Time for some honesty – sometimes I psych myself out or try to convince myself out of things because accomplishing something seems so, oh I don’t know, accomplishing. Sounds messed up doesn’t it? Well, it is. It’s like being scared of succeeding. It’s not the fact that I don’t think I can do it, I know I can.
Well – that theory has gone right out the window. See ya later!
I have a love for the outdoors. For mountains, bodies of water, sunlight, moonlight and fresh air. I have a vision of standing at the highest peaks with my arms stretched out as far as they can go and basking on the beauty of the Earth. There’s no greater view than on top of a mountain. I want to stand in the center of dirt roads in the middle of nowhere and be swallowed in the sound and pureness of my surroundings. I want to encourage others to live life outside, to put yourself out there, to experience everything that the world has to offer because something different will come everyday when you do. Most importantly, it doesn’t matter if you do it all with a friend or solo. Don’t miss out!
Would you rather be the one looking out the window watching people play or being the one out there playing?
All of those things are powerful and can change your life but you can’t change someone else’s life until you do all of those things yourself. My giant hump is getting out of my comfort zone. Knowing that I can do things on a solo trip, no matter how crazy it may seem, whether I have a friend by my side or if I’m doing it by myself.
This past weekend, I participated in Fort Worth’s Oktoberfest activities, aka a 5k followed by a 15 mile bike ride with German beer as my prize. Go big or go home, right? Why I had the desire to do this, I have no idea. The love of the outdoors? My ambition for someday participating in a mini-triathlon? A challenge? Being around like-minded people? Who knows really but I signed up a day before the event.
Did I try to talk myself out of it? Sure did.
Did I succeed? Yes, I succeeded the 5k run and 15 mile ride!
I asked a few friends (and tried to convince with beer) to partake with me. I didn’t have any takers. I did it anyway. I ran (let’s be honest, I didn’t run the entire thing) the 5k. I took a short break and then headed out on my 15 mile ride, in the blazing sun. It shouldn’t be this hot anywhere at the end of September. I met about eight hills to go up (I peddled every.single.one) and only went down about two (who designed this course?!). I encouraged myself. I envisioned myself completing the challenge and I wasn’t at all upset that I was doing it solo, because, for once, this was for me.
It’s sometimes hard to get out of a zone. It’s sometimes hard to do things for yourself. Sure, it’s always more fun when there’s people doing things with you. I’m a huge advocate of the more the merrier! Doing this event myself was just a beginning. It was a push in the direction of what I want my life, both professionally and personally. A drive, a challenge, fresh air and well being.
If I can do this without training, imagine the possibilities if I pushed myself just a little bit more. Sometimes, the push we really need is within! Here’s to 30!