I am an ATHLETE!

This past Saturday, I went for my scheduled 10 mile training run. Throughout last week, I kept having doubts that I could even run the full 10 miles much less do it in less than 2 hours (the goal I set to keep me on track to run a 2:30 Route 66 Half Marathon).

Did I run all 10? YES!
Did I run all 10 in under 2 hours? YES, I did it in 1:49!

At that pace, I would not have just PRed, I would have done so by 20 minutes and therefore smashing through my goal of 2:30! WOW!

Later in the day, while I was resting my legs and reflecting on my run, I came to the conclusion that I AM AN ATHLETE and I need to stop doubting myself because I CAN do this and I prove it to myself time and time again.

Webster's Dictionary defines Athlete as "a PERSON WHO IS TRAINED or skilled in exercises, sports or games REQUIRING PHYSICAL STRENGTH, agility or STAMINA. You definitely have to have those things in order to run 10 miles!

Being labeled an athlete is not something that I have always had. In fact, in 7th grade, I was actually told I should stick to playing my clarinet because I was "not good at sports." While, I am thankful for my musical talents and those who nourished them, I often wonder would if I was encouraged to do both. Would I have had the weight struggles that I have had for a lot of my life? What could I have accomplished? I could probably go on and on with the "What could have beens," but I won't. I won't because I CHOOSE to not give that kind of power to the people who told me that I couldn't.

Instead, I am going to focus on the fact that I AM AN ATHLETE and that is something that nobody can take from me because I EARNED it! I earned it by making sacrifices and by pushing myself beyond what I thought was capable of. I will continue to move forward and forcing the "You're not good at this" voice out of my head. Because, you know what? I have strength. I have stamina. I am an ATHLETE!