My husband is training for an ultra-marathon. In case youíre not up on your running terminology, an ìultraî is anything over the standard 26.2 mile course. Usually they come in 50 or 100 mile varieties and theyíre often run on trails through woods, over mountains, or across deserts just to add to the fun.
No, I do not join my dear husband on his runs. Yes, I think heís nuts.
If you ask him why he perseveres in all kinds of weather, pushing himself ever harder, his answer basically boils down to, ìI want to prove that I can do it.î
See? Crazy.
"You think Iíve lost it?î my husband shoots back. ìWhat about you? Youíve been writing for 10 years and have yet to get one of your books published. Why do you persevere day in and day out through the rejections and disappointments?î
ìWell . . .î I say. ìI guess I want to prove that I can do it.î
Okay. Maybe weíre both crazy. Or maybe not.
This quote by Benjamin Mays hangs near my computer. ìThe tragedy in life doesnít lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.î
So, whatís your goal?
Tags: goals, perseverance, ultra-marathon, writing
Cindy, this is great! so glad you have a snappy comeback for that running husband of yours. He's right, we all do these things for the same reasons. Persevere!
Thanks for introducing me to Benjamin Mays. My goal? To publish in two new national magazines in 2010. And of course ... to keep on writing!
Hi! I found this website b/c I met Cheryl last night at LaidOffCamp. I can identify with your post. My husband also does ultra marathons. He has done Leadville 100 the past 2 years. Crew members get tshirts that say, "we're not here for a good time, we're here for a LONG time!" So true.