Try Again Mentality

Endurance demands you keep going when you think you can't.

When I was in high school, I was known as a soccer player- not a runner. Our soccer coach recommended we join track and field to work on speed and agility, so I became a sprinter. I learned about the weird shoes with removable spikes and stepped up to start lines where I could always see the Finish line- yep, I was a 100, 200, 4x100, and 400 meter specialist. Surprisingly, I usually finished in the top two and I relished in the immediate gratification the events offered me.

Fast forward to a year out of college where, on a whim I decided to sign up for my first marathon: The LA Marathon in Los Angeles, California. I knew absolutely nothing about endurance training; long runs; tempo runs or programming. My determination and curiosity for the challenge fueled my training- and at least once a week, I’d wander across the street from my apartment to the Barnes and Noble bookstore and sit on the floor with a pile of running books hoping to learn a thing or two about marathoning.

When race day arrived, I was nervous, excited; and like many beginners, made several rookie mistakes. I didn’t pace or keep track of my fueling and electrolytes and by Mile 18 I didn’t know if I could keep going. EVERYTHING hurt. Was it supposed to hurt THIS bad? Humbled, I questioned my athletic ability and mental fortitude. For years, I had thought I was relatively strong, but every step was a reminder of my weak hips and glutes and the blisters on my feet showed me I should have paid more attention to foot care. I wanted that Finish line and I wanted that medal so I jogged and walked my way to Mile 23. When people clearly older than me started passing my 23 year old self, my pride perked up again- if those oldies can run right now, I should too! I winced and plodded along until I was less than 400 meters from the Finish line. The crowds of spectators cheered and the music blared- that final stretch was like a concert scene. Then something came over me, seeing the letters F -I-N-I-S-H on a giant banner above the time clock had me clicking into Sally the Sprinter mode and I charged my way across the line like I had just won the Olympics. My time of 4:28 was nothing to most, but everything to me.

My experience in the marathon wasn’t the first time I had felt pain in sport. As a lifelong competitive athlete I was familiar with training sessions that left me nauseous and the ache and stinging pain of breaking in fresh cleats was not lost on me. But this was the first time I had to do the same movement for over four hours; I had never felt that before. The unveiling of an unknown capability excited me What else was I capable of doing? And so the foundation of endurance was laid; and my curious mind continued to explore the idea that humans are stronger, more resilient than we may know. We just have to choose to try.

I like the try again mentality because it graciously reminds us of the reality of being human. We don’t try and succeed every time; if we want to get to the finish line we have to endure the painful steps and aching seasons of life to get there; while understanding that quitting will never bring us to our goal.

We are not failures when the goal isn’t reached; rather we are over-comers with the vast ability to endure over and over and over again. To endure is to try again; to try again is to endure. We take a strong step and we take a painful step, and both get us closer to the finish.

No matter where you started, the exploration of what’s possible for YOU will always be profoundly more exciting and full of LIFE than should you decide to sit and sorely size up yourself as weak and not capable. Remember, you have endured 100% of your hard days with every new morning and there’s no telling what you are able to do unless you lay aside your doubts…and try.

I’m rooting for you always.

Strength and love,

sally