In less than 36 hours I will be embarking on the most daring run I have ever done.
I will try to run for 24 hours.
The earliest memory of me running, (besides running away from the kids in grade school who found it amusing to chase me with a plastic snake), was joining up with the Cross Country team in High School.
And the memories evoked when I think of that experience? Breathing into brown paper bags and coming in dead last in the one and only Run Meet I entered.
I am not a natural runner.
I begin each run with high hopes, thinking that THIS will be the run where it's easy.
On THIS run it will finally click and my running Talent will enter my legs.
THIS is going to be the run where I don't have slow to a walk.
Ahhh.... yeah.
Hasn't happened yet.
So why in the world do I run?
It isn't my favorite thing to do~
but oh the places it has taken me....and
the beauty I have been blessed to see!
It's carried me through times I haven't thought possible to get through.
Running has been a tool in figuring myself out.
It's been a companion to me on days where I have felt alone.
And I love the feeling I have when I complete a run. Nothing better.
(Except for maybe the hot coffee I down after a morning spent in my runners.)
We tend to put limits on ourselves....
see ourselves the way we think we are or ought to be.
But in reality- we are always capable of more.
Proof of this lies everywhere.
(see one example: The man who runs without legs.)
I registered for this 24 hour run with the intention of seeing how far I can carry myself in the hours of one entire day.
Maybe it will turn into a challenge of seeing how long I can just keep going.
I am not sure what to expect out of this body of mine.
But it's a wonderful feeling to surprise your own self with possibilities hidden somewhere inside of you.
The trick is not putting a Limit on what you think that may be.
Something I may need to repeat in this head of mine during those (24) hours out on the trail.
Where is your real Limit? You may be surprised with the answer.
21 comments:
If it makes you happy, continue to do it! Not many people can say that they have ran 24 hours before! We only live once, go for it and most importantly I think enjoy the process within your limits!
Wow I just don't know what in the world the Lord is showing me today. I thought today I was at the limit of the trial I am in the midst of and then I read your post. Really? running for 24 hours? That is so beyond my comfort zone, my experience in fact I feel like you just took the top of my head off with the whole idea of running 24 hours. I will be anxious to know how you do and what it felt like. Thanks for posting this because, well I needed to be challenged because to day I had thought I hit my limit.
I will keep you in my prayers.
An amazing feat to accomplish, good luck with this!
Oh I am so excited for you. I know many extreme trail runners and they are the toughest most determined people I know just like you.
You are putting yourself to a true test of will and endurance and no matter the outcome(I am sure it will be great) you will have that sense of accomplishment.
Oh I am so excited for you. I have always tried to do or face the things I am truly afraid of failing and it has always been so life changing for me. Congrats and good luck my dear friend. HUGS HUGS HUGS B
You inspire me...talk about pushing. It has to be nice to see the beauty like your photo shows as you run.
ps I ran from plastic spiders but snakes never bothered me
Most inspirational!
Go girl!
Well, Dawn, I don't feel the same way about running, but I admire your grit for giving it a try. Good luck!
You... are amazing! To even take on the challenge is, I think, pushing the limits itself! I will be thinking of your while you are out there. And you are right - we won't get anywhere if we don't push the limits. :)
i am not able to run dawn, there were days when i was not able to walk. today i can walk because i tested my own limits and i did not listen to the doctors who said i would not walk again because of multiple sclerosis.
i'm not sure i understand why you run, perhaps you are unsure also. sometimes i feel like you are running toward something, sometimes i feel like you are running away!!
i wish you the best of luck dawn. i hope you find joy in your run!!
What an inspiring post, you have truly found what brings you both peace and joy in life. I wish you all the best with the run.
You go girl! But when it comes to running, my limit is closer to 24 minutes :)
So proud of you Dawn.....
You are one brave lady. I salute you and I will pray that the Lord keep you strong on this run.
xx
Dawn, you are courageous and strong. And your words could not be truer. I think we all need something that pushes us into knowing ourselves better. Learning what we are capable of. I always admire your fighting spirit and your amazing athleticism. Go get em, girl.
Dawn let me see if I understand this, you're going to run for 24 hours straight? What about breaks, you know water, food, washroom, rest... the stuff we all need to survive?
I wish you well, keep us posted when you catch you're breath after this one k? And remember it's the full moon, harvest moon actually, so your energies should be pumped right up. I don't know exactly what it is about the full moon, but it causes some type of an adrenaline rush.
And as Wong said "If it makes you happy, continue to do it!" An excellent motto in life.
what an amazing undertaking! i can't imagine attempting anything that's even equivalent to this. the best of luck to you!
What a great journey would it be. Hi. I really like your blog a lot. Thanks for posting. I love it.
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You rock on so many levels, Dawn. Hope the run was everything you dreamed it would be. Can't wait to read the post-run roundups!
Hi Dawn,
I'm late reading this post, but I found it so, so inspiring! I needed to read this today. Hope all is well, and I'm anxious to hear about the run.
Hugs,
Marissa
How did your run go? I'd love to see a follow-up post to this.
I read this and related to it so well, Dawn. Ran Cross Country and Track in High School, but hardly a star. Athletic injuries caused me to switch to cycling and weight training. But your post reminded me how much I miss running.
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