Monday Motivation: BELIEVE

By Lifeasarunningmom @RunningMom6
"Stop doubting yourself, my friend, and BELIEVE!!"
Very wise words from a awesome lady and yes, Yolanda hit the nail right on the head when she posted this on the Life as a Running Mom facebook page. She knows me all too well! Those words have been circling around in my mind as BELIEVING and truly having FAITH was hard for me a few months ago at the Maui Marathon. I was primed and ready to run the race of my life but things changed. I have no regrets. I learned a lot along that journey and wouldn't change it for the world. Nope, I would not trade in that experience for my big goal. It helped shaped me into who I am right now.
Six more sleeps until the Honolulu Marathon and I am determined to keep the faith, to believe, and to not let negative thoughts take over. I know doubt will try to work its way in. It inevitably will when you are running 26.2 miles but I will recognize it for what it is and focus on all the blessings along my course of running this marathon and my life.
Do I still want to break a 4 hour marathon? Of course I do! But my training the past few weeks altered from this goal to running strong as I battled health hiccups. What is my race plan? To start smart and to listen to my body. I will check in on my pace to make sure I am  not running crazy. I will hydrate and fuel well and put the end time in higher hands. I will do my part, believe, and push myself when needed but I won't shed tears of disappointment when I see my finish time. I have found deeper meaning.
I am running my life's relay. I know I will break a 4 hour marathon one day. I have complete faith in that. I also know the journey is the most important part. The story means more than the time. I run for Toby. I run for Down syndrome awareness. I run for my daughter to show her women can run long and still be there for their families. I run to be a better me, a better mom, a better wife. I run for God and to honor Him. I run because it is exactly what my spirit is meant to do. I BELIEVE that without a doubt. I have FAITH good things will continue to come to me as long as I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and RUN.
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful for sweaters.
Daily Affirmation: I BELIEVE! I KNOW I CAN!