Measure yourself

    It is very few times in our life that we measure the limits of our spirit, our physical endurance, and our mental will.   I believe that every person, at least once in their life should test these boundaries, and see what they are made of.  It is important for us to explore how far we are willing to push ourselves mentally, spiritually, and physically.  Running provides us with the opportunity to measure our character, and build on it.  

    In every marathon, it is easy to contemplate the idea of giving up.  It is natural for everyone to take the path of less resistance, and to avoid pain.  When our bodies tell us to give up, it is easy to listen to it.  We can come up with an excuse later.  The truth is, we should never give up.  We can slow down, but we must keep moving forward.  When the physical pain of moving forward is agonizing, that is when we test our spirit.  Choose to keep moving forward at all costs. When you to do this, you may find that you can tolerate more pain than you previously thought you could, and your spirit becomes stronger.  If you embrace this mindset it will not only reflect in your running, but will resonate in the obstacle that you face in life.

    Every runner you meet will tell you that running is more mental than physical.  It is absolutely true.  Running, especially in a race gives you a chance to explore your mental toughness.  You have trained for weeks and months for one moment, to reach one goal.  Our bodies will begin to give up far before our minds do.  When this happens, it becomes a competition between body and mind, and it is up to us to decide who wins.  How hard are you willing to push yourself despite everything telling you that you cannot? How badly do you want to finish?  How badly do you want to win?  How will you react if you do not meet your goal?  Will you keep trying?  Will you give up?    Finding these answers are what tests and builds character.  These are how you find out how tough you are mentally.  Once you find these limits, you can begin push them further and build your mental toughness.  So far, I have found that there are no limits to how hard you can mentally push yourself.

    Before venturing of into the Alaskan wilderness, Alexander Supertramp wrote, “I know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong. To measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions. Facing the blind death stone alone, with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head.”  Millions of years ago, human beings tested their physical endurance daily.  We had to hunt, or be hunted.  We had to feel strong every day.  In the 21^st century an individual can live a whole life without testing their physical capacity, without earning that feeling of strength.  Running gives us that opportunity to feel strong, and it is something we can do every day.  It can take us back to the most ancient conditions, where all we have is your body and your mind.  We can find our strength, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually.