GRAND CHAMPION

BeReal Writing Event

A few months ago I started running again. I hadn't run since I did track and cross country three years ago, and assumed I would be able to do a six minute mile like I could back in the old days. I started out with a 5k, raising money for our local nature center. Going in I was completely confident, and thought I would be able to finish with a time of about twenty minutes, but realized after the first quarter mile that I hadn't prepared enough for this kind of run. I had to deal with the humiliation of being beaten by my mom, and promised myself that from then on I would never let that happen again. 

I started to run again, but would get tired, and end up stopping to walk. Since I wasn't doing my best I wasn't improving, and with out improvement I saw no need to run, and therefore quit after the first few weeks. 

Just that day, when I woke up, knowing I should get out of bed and at least take a short jog, the second Edge CD was delivered. My sister and I popped it in and listened to the stories of Orrin selling his candy bars, running laps on the track, and encouraging "Ice Adidas" as he played basketball. He talked about how when he couldn't sell any candy, he realized why he couldn't, and instead of giving up, he problem solved and achieved his goal. I knew the reason I wasn't improving on my runs was because I wasn't running my hardest. Whenever I would get tired, or get a cramp I would stop and walk. I made the decision to start again, and to not to quit, even when my entire body was aching in pain. For a week I would go out in the mornings or evenings and do my best, and eventually it got easier and easier. The CD encouraged me not to give up, but to figure out what was making me quit and run until I hit my goal. I would tell myself I could do it just like Orrin did to the young basketball player. 

June 2nd came up. It was the annual church race they held every year. Last 5k I made a promise not to be beaten by my mother. It would have been easy to give up on my goal, and have humiliated myself further, but instead I trained, and came up with a far better time than last (while beating my mom). I'm glad I heard the positive information that kept me going. I look forward to the CDs every month, and appreciate the time that the leaders of Life have put aside to create them for us.