Sometimes it only takes a small challenge to motivate ourselves...

Last Sunday, a friend and I decided to take the challenge. We set out to run the downtown 5k race that was being held in Providence. Now, I admit, I am not the biggest fan of running but when I'm at the gym on the treadmill I can usually pull off 3 miles or so with out stopping. For some reason, however, when I try to run outside, I can't do it!!! I go for maybe 5-10 minutes (if I am lucky) and stop to "take a little break"--which usually turns into a walk.

So, as we walked to the start of the race, I did fear I wouldn't be able to keep up. (over 3 miles outside? ugg) And guess what? I will never know if I could have because oddly enough, we missed the kick off of the race. (I am still baffled by that!) So we decided to enter the next one...a 3k with the high schoolers!

We thought about borrowing a team shirt to "fit in" but ultimately none of the teens payed us any mind--(probably thought I was someone's mother). The 3k began and we were off!

Now, I do realize that the race was short (1.86 miles to be exact) and that many people could have run that in no time at all with out so much as wiping their brow but to me, it is all relative. The fact that I didn't stop when I was uncomfortable, I kept up the brisk pace while grabing for water and I continued on uphill (I HATE HILLS)put a smile on my face at the end.

No, it wasn't the hardest challenge I have ever taken but sometimes in life you need to acknowledge yourself for the times you kept going even though you could have stopped with out consequence. Sometimes you need to prove something to yourself just because the opportunity is there. And sometimes all of the small stuff can add up to inspire you to take on life's big challenges. When you are ready to take the big leap, you can look back on all of your experiences and know that you can do it.