Fearless.

Happy Monday! I have been nonstop busy today but I guess that’s just the nature of the start of the work week, right? This week is already proving to be a packed one…I am teaching dance class after work at the gym on Wednesday, and I will be hitting the ground running (literally) with my marathon training schedule. Here’s what my week of workouts is looking like:

Monday- Cross-training (dance class + strength)

Tuesday- 6 mile run (including hill repeats)

Wednesday- 5 miles easy AM, teaching dance PM

Thursday- 6 mile progression run + strength

Friday- REST

Saturday- 14 mile long run

Running has been going well as of late, and I am slowly gaining my speed and endurance back. I have to say that my favorite part of the week is when I do my hill training. With every hill I climb it is helping me to gain my confidence back as a runner, since bouncing back from injury a few months back. It feels good to finally be able to run without much insecurity.

I was reading my blogging buddy Candice’s most recent post about conquering your fears, and I thought it was so empowering. I think we all have those fears or doubts at times, whether it be fear of being able to accomplish a goal that you’ve set or facing a challenge that is out of your comfort zone. In the past year I have had to overcome certain fears and I think it has made me a stronger person. I think a lot of times these obstacles are ones we place in front of ourselves for whatever reason, be it comparison, overanalyzing, or not feeling like we are adequate enough.

 

So many doors have been opened up for me as of late, with my career and also in the arena of health and fitness…it is both exciting and scary for me. Looking back over a year ago, I never would have thought I would be an instructor teaching group fitness classes, standing in front of an aerobics room with as many as 60 people at a time, leading my very own class. I never would have thought a few years back I would also have my dream job as a producer working in television production. God has truly opened up so many doors for me, and I am so grateful to be able to share my passions with others.

I really do think that overcoming whatever fears you have requires you to be a little comfortable being uncomfortable. Training for a marathon is not comfortable. It requires you to step outside of yourself, to push your fitness abilities and to go farther than you EVER have before. This requires great mental strength, and most of all HEART. The marathon truly is a great metaphor for life. Just when you think you have a limit to something, you realize you can do a little bit more. You can push a little bit further. You can be that fearless person that you’ve always wanted to be.

So, whatever it is that you are debating on doing that may be challenging or new to you, I want to encourage you to step out. Do it. Get uncomfortable. It is a feeling that is both freeing and exciting. You might surprise yourself when you realize you have a lot more in you than you think.

Have you ever had to face a challenge that was uncomfortable for you? How did you step outside of your comfort zone? Anyone training for their first marathon?