Speaking of Summit, if you know me, you know I actually have hardcore social anxiety. I often times finish an NP workout, go to coffee than have to rush home to nap a few hours and recharge my energy. That said I knew Summit was going to be go go go & I was slightly terrified of having to be social for so long. A lot of self talk and reassuring from friends went into the weeks leading up to summit.
That said.... Welcome to Milwaukee.
This weekend at NP Summit, the workout with November Project Milwaukee, the Marathon Relay at The North Face ECS Wisconsin, the beach party & sandcastle competition on Lake Michigan, that epic Friday morning workout, the socials, the NP Dry Run event, the people I met and seeing on a grand scale so much of what November Project means & has meant to others and sharing what it has been to me was a much needed shakeup at this stage in my training & in my life. Not a single person I met has not had their lives impacted in some way and while I shared my journey I heard so much from others that inspired me about their journey & met people who I didn't even know who mentioned how my journey inspired me. I cried running on the trail when my friend ran up behind me and told me how much I was inspiring her. I was surrounded by so much support and belief and people who were excited for what the next chapter of me holds.
During the race it was in the 80 to 90s and we were running through Kettle Moraine Forest. So many people I saw running two legs. They're beasts. They're everything I aspire to be. They have something I don't. They - hold up wait a minute WHAT?!?! And it was through seeing my friends pushing themselves and still cheering me and everyone else on that it all made sense. Tje only thing keeping me from being anywhere near that level is MYSELF. So I stood my ass up and I ran a second leg, totaling 13miles on my first ever trail race & my first ever endurance event. Yes, people of my size can still go out there and get shit done. No excuses
But what I realized more than anything is the self realization I gained this weekend. There was a mental shift, a change in my belief in myself & a change in my vernacular. I realized I was no longer saying I'm training to do a 50k. I was saying I'm doing a 50k in October & I'm training right now. A minor change, but my focus shifted to the fact that I'm GOING TO DO THIS & making the action of doing so the lead to my statements. The excitement and support I felt from people I only just met reassured me that I can do this & I have people all around the world cheering for me and believing in me.
I contantly tell people that my story, my perseverance, my accomplishments are not meant to be impressive; however, this weekend was more inspiring & impressive than I could have ever imagined.
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| The North Face ECS Wisconsin 9.15 18 |
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| NP Summit Beach Day - Summitsaurus Rex |
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| NP Summit Milwaukee Workout |
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