We never know what we are capable of until we give it a shot. And even when fatigue or self-doubt slows us down, we have to push through to the finish.
I kept thinking about that Saturday, after the Palace Saloon 5k I ran here in Tallahassee with several fellow Badasses. Somehow, through a combination of strong will and good genes (mom and Grandpa both ran track), I set a personal best at 20:46 and finished second in my age group. My last 5k, close to a year ago, took me about 21:30.
I went into the race determined to at least match that last time -- and to support my fellow "Badass Babes" team members plus a couple of Badass Dudes as they tried to run their fastest. So I crossed the finish line Saturday, took a couple of minutes to self-celebrate, and headed right to the sideline to cheer them on.
We all kicked some serious Badass on that route, which featured a downhill finish -- but only after a hill in mile 2 that seemed harmless enough until we were actually running up it. That hill was a total beyotch, quite frankly. And my quads hate me this morning.
But not one of us gave up. And even if our times were only a few seconds better than our last 5K, the fact is we are getting stronger, second by second. Badass Bertsch (below, far left, with me and the Badass Foodie) is admittedly not a runner, but all those stadiums and boot camps and multiple-riser box jumps at the gym are making her legs tough enough to go the extra mile.
She probably doesn't usually run as fast on the treadmill or even when we run to Doak Campbell from the FSU law school, but the thing I love about any race -- short or long -- is how it pushes us to our personal best. That adrenaline kicks in, and suddenly we're running like Forrest Gump. That just goes to show you how far we can push our Badasses when we really put all of ourselves into it.
This blog, I am happy and proud to say, continues to push readers toward their best -- even through occasional setbacks. Just ask Badass Fitness reader Andy from Tampa Bay. He wrote me with an update on his fitness journey, and I love it for its utter honesty and its gumption. Andy is, in every way, a Badass who simply refuses to give up. He is going to lose weight, one slow pound at a time if that's what it takes. And along his journey, he is learning a new way of living that keeps him from getting set back too far. Read on:
"Got caught up in a project story, and injuries stacked up from trying to run too soon (limping around), and slacked off nearly a month. Such horror and despair. The shocker was that at the end of it, I had only gained about three pounds. In a week I think I've lost most of that back. I think it was that while I also cheated with food, the earlier habits were kicking in enough that the slips were things like one KFC chicken sandwich every two weeks, not 32-oz. blizzards from Dairy Queen whenever I felt like it. But it's terrifying, losing your momentum. I just thank God I coaxed myself back into the gym, which leads to eating better. Just fyi, because I have appreciated your support and just wanted to let you know I am hanging in. ...The story as of now is, I fell off the log I was rolling, but got back on and think I'm shrinking further. I don't want to look at the scale for another week or so. But I can sort of tell it's going in the right direction now."
Andy, keep pushing that log. Just you wait -- that scale will move toward a better Badass. And no matter what, I'm here with the Badass Army cheering you on!
Now have a great week, Badasses! Get out there and show the world what's up.
Coming tomorrow: Badass Bookshelf -- 10 power foods you might be missing...