“We don’t stop in the middle. We stop at the end.”
That’s what I always tell my sons. And during my 10K this weekend, it’s what I had to tell myself.
The Race That Almost Broke Me
In February, I missed my goal of finishing a 10K under an hour by just two seconds. 1:00:02. I felt crushed.
This past Saturday, I returned to the same distance with a bigger goal: 55 minutes.
The conditions? Brutal. The humidity was thick and unforgiving. Not the day to PR.
But somehow, I did it anyway—58:59.
And yet, disappointment still crept in… because of that same haunting question:
“Who do you think you are?”
That question kept looping in my head mid-race.
Despite running 6 miles before without issues, I felt like I didn’t belong here. Like I wasn’t that runner.
But step after step, I chose to fight back.
I ran on effort—not pace.
I reminded myself that I’ve earned this.
And I crossed the line smiling.
If I Could Tell Her Anything
If I could go back to the woman who once struggled through her first runs, I’d say:
“Look at us now.”
You kept going. You kept showing up. You kept choosing growth. And it mattered.
The Marathon Mind Games
Now here I am, one week away from my first marathon. And guess what?
I’m back in my head again.
Am I good enough? Should I drop to the half? Can I actually run 26.2 miles?
It’s not about fitness. It’s about fear.
But when I reflect on the work I’ve put in… the 5 AM runs, the heat, the cold, the tears—I know this:
I’ve done enough.
This marathon isn’t just for me.
It’s for my sons.
It’s for every goal I thought was too far-fetched.
It’s proof that hard things are meant to challenge us—but they’re still worth chasing.
To You, Who Might Be Doubting Yourself…
Maybe it’s not a marathon. Maybe it’s motherhood. Or school. Or trying something new that feels impossible.
This is your reminder that you don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to keep going.
Keep refining.
Keep choosing yourself.
Life is full of decisions. I hope you pick you.
