For most of the race I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. The seven mile course was longer than I was used to, and for most of this run the course was getting the best of me. 

Until it didn’t.

Sometimes I bite off a bit more than I can chew. For most of my life my bites were much smaller, much safer, much more predictable. That led to a life equally smaller, safer, and predictable. But it wasn’t until I was willing to put myself into more challenging situations did I realize I had the capacity to bite bigger than I had previously allowed myself to do.

There is a silent sense of inner euphoria which comes from putting yourself into difficult situations and making it through to the other side. Intentionally embracing hard things, things outside the comfort zone, has the power to dramatically change the relationship you have with yourself. Doing creates confidence which creates even more doing which creates even more confidence.

As I saw the marker for Mile 5 I simply knew I was going to get to the finish line at Mile 7. The struggle remained very real, it wasn’t going to be pretty, but those first five miles showed me I had the capacity to endure two more.

And I did.

I am not an accomplished runner by any measurable means. But it’s not really about running. Taking on uncomfortable and unfamiliar challenges has shown me I have the capacity to bite bigger in all areas of my life if I’m willing to allow myself to do so.

We all have the capacity to bite bigger.

Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash

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