Confidence is the After Effect of Taking Action
Race Prep
As I mentioned in the previous post, my husband, Phil, and I signed up for a Tough Mudder Half this year, and it occurred not too long ago. We signed up many months earlier, and I have been excited for the challenge but dreading this race ever since. I kept trying to figure out exactly what obstacles I needed to be be prepared for, but for some reason I had a hard time interpreting the Tough Mudder site and guides to fully understand. I was worried about rings, dangling or pretty much anything that required upper body strength. There is also a water obstacle covered by a chain link fence with just enough room for your face to be above the water as you swim across. That one made me nervous. I wasn't certain I could complete all the obstacles and that made me quite uncomfortable.
Everything went wrong leading up to this race. I scheduled over it, so we had to move from Saturday to Sunday, and I got home around midnight the night before from a long and intense conference as well as recovering from a cold. That morning: I forgot to eat, we thought we left on time for the hour drive to the race location but didn’t anticipate the time to park and walk to the event, we missed our race wave because the registration line was very slow and we were late, we didn’t bring a change of clothes or shoes for the drive home in fact we didn’t even bring a towel! During this time, all I could think was, “I’m totally okay if we don’t run this race.” Miraculously, we kept progressing and made it into the last race wave of the weekend.
Race Time
As we started the race, I was thinking, "I should have drank more water this morning." It was hot out, and I didn't feel prepared at all. As we started running, my worries began to fade. I saw people around me having fun and playing in the mud, and things happened during this race that I did not expect. There was such an element of teamwork, fun, and camaraderie at every obstacle that you didn’t have to worry about if you could do it, because someone was right there offering their help to get you through it. During the Hero Carry where you carry another person for about 100 yards, I didn’t think I would be able to do it at all, but my husband (who is luckily fairly light) jumped on my back and I was able to complete the entire carry without stopping. My strength has increased. After completing one particularly difficult obstacle with the enthusiastic help of a fellow runner, I remembered a statement made by Sandra Yancey at the eWomen conference I was at before the race. She said, “Confidence is an after affect of action.” And it rang so true during this race. Not only was I able to complete every obstacle and recognize my growing strength, but I was also able to help others accomplish the challenge. It felt amazing and was so much fun!
Post Race
"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." - Zig Ziglar
I will definitely do another Tough Mudder and I will definitely do the full next time. I can plan and prepare for it beforehand, but even when I don’t prepare quite as well as I could have, I can still go out there and try. Through trying I can learn how to improve and then show up and try again if I want to. Perfectionism has no place here. Only showing up and trying. One race does not have to be a finite outcome of training and preparation. There are many lessons and skills learned through the journey. Confidence is the result of action, you will rarely feel it first.
Phil and I are raising money for charity again this year: 1LifeFullyLived.
Their mission is to
Empower people of all ages to create their best life possible through an inclusive approach that provides holistic support in the areas of life planning and purpose, personal health, relationships, wealth building and investments, entrepreneurship, and mindfulness and spirituality.
Check out their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NDhQeKuBgI
I am again lucky enough to know the people who operate this charity and value their mission deeply. Their mantra of Dream it, Plan it, LIVE IT! is definitely something I live my life by.
Your support to their cause and us is so appreciated!! Find the fundraising page here: gofundme.com/50k2point0.
