Jennifer Labrecque

I'm so psyched and a bit nervous all at the same time--I'm participating in my very first 5K this week-end. Let me make it clear, I'm looking to complete, not compete. I won't set any records for speed, but to finish is a huge deal for me. I've never been a runner, primarily because I didn't think I could. I had a host of reasons/excuses: I didn't have the right body type, I didn't really like it, it was too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, I couldn't do that.

Last year, I decided I could and would do this. I began to run and enjoyed it. Whether I'm good at it, whether I'm graceful out there--I neither know nor care. I know it's a tremendous outlet for stress and it's been a great source of empowerment. My neighborhood is filled with wicked hills. When I start, I know where and how far I'm going. I know the route and the hills involved. But, once I start to run, I don't think past the hill in front of me. All I have to do is get up that hill. I'm not stopping once I reach the top, but I get a break, a respite, until I'm facing that next hill. I never allow myself to think that I can't do it--I just go for it, one hill at a time--that's so less daunting than to think about the whole 3 miles.

It's definitely carried over to my writing. Once scene at a time. Some days it's one page at a time. *ggg* Actually, I carry it with me in many respects of my life. It's become my mantra. I can do anything as long as I believe I can and tackle it one hill at a time.

What is it you've always wanted to do but thought you couldn't? What part of yourself have you quietly curtailed? Believe in yourself. Know what you want, know where you want to go. And then go for it--you can get there, one hill at a time.

satisfied

Jen

Replies: 4 Comments

on Friday, March 11th, Alyssa said

Hmmm, something I've always wanted to do but thought I couldn't? I'll have to think about that one.

Anyway, I wanted to wish you luck on your 5K run!

smile
Alyssa

on Saturday, March 12th, Jen said

Thanks, Alyssa! I'm getting excited about it. I'll have a photo up on the Stuff page one day next week!

It doesn't necessarily have to be something you think you can't do--maybe you just haven't yet and it's time.

hehe
Jen

on Sunday, March 13th, Alyssa said

I look forward to seeing a picture. smile

OK, here's something I've always wanted to do--go to England. I've always thought it would be a wonderful place to go, and my desire to go increased when I got my B.A. in English.

At first, my reason for going was that I didn't have enough money. Now I'm not rich, but since I've saved enough money to attend book signings, I could probably save enough money to go to England. But what I've learned is that (1) I don't want to go alone to England, so I need to coordinate the trip with a friend, and (2) I'm a homebody. I'm not someone who enjoys traveling just for the sake of traveling, though I envy people who do.

Well, this has got me thinking about the whole thing again. I'll just say that my US trips are my way of working up to it.

big grin
Alyssa

on Tuesday, March 15th, Jen said

Alyssa, a trip to England sounds lovely! In the book I've been busy revising, the hero's parents are British. I've been doing a bit of on-line research and was thinking yesterday that it'd be a great place to visit. But I know what you mean about going with a friend. I traveled a bit in Mexico on my own and I definitely prefer traveling with a bud.

Jen

03/10/2005: "One Hill at a Time"