I Know You Are Out There!!! (Psstt. . . It's not too late!)

It's May 15, 2011. A few months ago, I invited and challenged all of you to commit to running or walking in one of the Fox Cities Marathon events. Twenty four of you said "YES". Seventeen of you said "MAYBE." Well, where are you now? We have 125 days left to prepare!! Don't worry, it's still plenty of time. Yes, even if you haven't started yet.

Some of you have been working really hard. Many have already finished a 5K. Some of the veterans have new half marathons or even marathons under their belts. Erin Moldenhauer completed the Green Bay Marathon in less than four hours today, despite the gusting winds!! You've got your kids, parents, siblings, and in-laws out there hitting the pavement with you. We've got a few pregnancies with new babies soon joining us in jogging strollers. They are so lucky to have you as mothers who will set healthy examples for them from the minute they are born.

I'm sure it hasn't been easy so far. There are days where you feel like you've gone as far as you can go. What about when you've reached a milestone and a few days later you feel that you'll never reach it again? How many of you have given up only to get back out there? These are the days when you find out what you are really made of. If you can beat the mental game and the tough times, the good, fast days will mean that much more to you.

Do you know what I have loved the most so far? I've seen new connections made, new friendships through fitness. Others have reconnected and are relying on old solid friendships to help you get through the crazy schedules and tough workouts. Seeing you support one another has touched me in a way I never expected. And I love to see you trying things you never would have done before.

But what about the rest of you? Don't think I have forgotten about you. There are many who committed to this goal who have been quiet since the turn of the New Year. There have been some who came out of the gates running strong but who have let something get in their way. I am worried about you, sincerely. I worry that you think you have let me or the rest of the group down. But most of all, I am worried that you have let yourself down.

You are the people I wish I could see and talk to. What has gotten in the way, what has stopped you? Is it work, the kids, family demands? Have you lost your drive or have you just fallen off the wagon? Are you worried you aren't good enough or as strong as some of the other girls? Here's what I want you to think about right now. What was going on in your head when you agreed to run in September? How were you feeling when you made that commitment?

I'm guessing that you had some sense of hope or you would not have agreed to it. Maybe you thought it would give you the motivation to finally get moving. I'm here to tell you right now, if you have lost hope and motivation, it is not too late. If you are worried about how you will measure up to the other participants, it is time to let go. If you have let yourself and other people down by giving up on your goal, it doesn't have to be that way. You still have time to turn things around. Yes, YOU CAN DO THIS.

It's time to look at the goal you set on day 1. Is it still manageable? Did you agree to the half marathon but now feel like you are better suited to the 5K? Were you hoping to run your event but now realize you will likely have to walk some or all of it? There is nothing wrong with modifying your goal. It doesn't make you a failure. It makes you realistic and smart. Better to set an achievable goal and reach it than to set one you will never reach at all.

Now that the goal is clear in your mind again, make a plan. Start with a plan for this week and then one for the month. Again, be realistic. Put expectations on yourself that are challenging but not impossible. No more excuses. You can find time, you can reach these goals and you can change your life. It is not too late.

Maybe there are a few of you reading this who were too unsure to even say "MAYBE." Or, you flatly said "NO"! Are you ready now? It's not too late for you either. With four months to go, you have plenty of time to sign up for a couch to 5k program or form a group of friends that wants to get in shape and reach a goal together. But it's not going to happen if you keep sitting there doubting yourself. This is coming from a person who spent YEARS doubting herself. I'm serious.

Congrats to you 5k first timers. Thank You to the veterans who continue to inspire me. Best Wishes to the soon-to-be Moms. Keep relying on each other for support and keep letting us know what you have accomplished or when you are struggling. To the rest of you, it's time to get back on board. But don't do it because I'm asking you to. Do it because you can.

Crossing a finish line is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences you can imagine. Don't deprive yourself of that accomplishment. Recommit yourself now and celebrate yourself later.

I can't wait to see you out there.

Love
Brooke