This is a story about a woman named Sarah, and her persistence towards her goal. Sarah had always dreamed of running a marathon, but her sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy habits had made this goal seem out of reach. One day, inspired by a friend who had transformed her health through running, Sarah decided to lace up her sneakers and hit the pavement.
At first, Sarah struggled. Her lungs burned, her legs ached, and doubts crept into her mind. She found it hard to stay motivated, especially when progress seemed slow. But Sarah was determined. She set herself small, achievable goals, such as running a certain distance without stopping or improving her pace by a few seconds per mile. Each milestone she reached fueled her determination to keep going.
As Sarah continued to train, she noticed changes in her body and mind. She felt stronger, more energetic, and more confident. She began to enjoy the feeling of pushing herself, knowing that each step was bringing her closer to her goal. She also found support in her running community, who cheered her on and shared their own stories of triumph and perseverance.
On the day of the marathon, Sarah lined up with hundreds of other runners, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. As she crossed the starting line and began the grueling 26.2-mile journey, she drew upon her months of training and the lessons she had learned along the way. When doubt crept in, she reminded herself of how far she had come and the strength she had built.
Despite the physical and mental challenges, Sarah persisted. She pushed through fatigue, cramps, and moments of self-doubt, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. And finally, after hours of running, she crossed the finish line, exhausted but elated. The sense of accomplishment and pride she felt in that moment made every early morning run and every sore muscle worth it.
Sarah’s journey to health and fitness was not easy, but her persistence paid off. She had proven to herself that with determination, hard work, and a little support, she could achieve anything she set her mind to. And as she stood at the finish line, surrounded by cheering spectators and fellow runners, she knew that this was just the beginning of her journey to a healthier, happier life.
Isn’t that a beautiful story? It’s like something you’d see straight out of a Disney movie.
What makes it beautiful is the triumph and celebration at the end.
However, it doesn’t give true attention to the struggle. To the time it took to Sarah get to her goal. Or the daily battles against her own body and mind to actually get out the door and train.
Goals aren’t achieve via a nice linear path of start to finish with clapping at the end.
No, they are mostly about struggle, set backs, and persistence through the crap. The challenges of wanting to give up every day and always trying to talk yourself out of it.
Knowing that there is light at the end of the tunnel is nice, but the progress you make towards your goals always comes down to one painful, ugly, difficult thing:
Persistence.