Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Are You Brave Enough?

Brave? Who me?

I've never considered myself to be brave. In fact, most of my life I've suffered from anxiety and a lack of confidence. I know that probably comes as a surprise to most of you who read my blog. All those races I run? It has taken an enormous amount to mental energy to push myself to the starting line of most of them. But I realized early on that if I wanted to live life to the very fullest, I would need to put on a brave face and push myself out of my comfort zone, both on the road and off.

It hasn't always been easy but yes, it has always been worth it.

Are You Brave Enough?

In 2014, I won a free entry to the Chicago Marathon and made up my mind to redeem myself from my disappointing first attempt in 2011. Yes, I was so demoralized by that race that it took me 3 years to get up the courage to try again. Would I have done it if I hadn't won the entry? Who knows. But I took it as a sign that it was a chance to put on my big girl running pants and conquer the beast that had been haunting me. To run the race I knew I had in me. My friend Marcia kept telling me that I had "unfinished business".

Indeed.

Prior to my 2015 Chicago Marathon, I received an unexpected gift from a Facebook friend, Teresa. The shirt, from Fellow Flowers, had "rockstar" printed across the front. Of course, I loved it. But it was the magnet that came with the shirt spoke to me:

Are You Brave Enough?
http://fellow-flowers.myshopify.com/collections/apparel
Are you brave enough to conquer your demons? Are you brave enough to leave your comfort zone? Are you brave enough to chase your dreams? Are you ready for change?

Maybe it's the middle age talking, but I have a lot of things on my bucket list yet to be accomplished. Some are running related, some not. I'm at this point in my life where a lot of my friends and yes, my husband, are becoming content. Complacent.

I'm not there yet.

There's an expectation that with middle age comes an eventual slowing down.

Who me? Slow down?

Am I brave enough to push beyond expectations?

There are a lot of runners out there who will tell you running changed their lives. I am one of them. Crossing the finish lines of the many long distance races I've run has given me confidence, kept my anxiety at bay, and pushed me beyond expectations.

And yes, I've become brave.

Brave enough to push my pace hard to PRs and AG awards.

Brave enough to swallow my pride and enlist the services of a badass, tough as nails CrossFit coach.

Brave enough to take up cycling and yep, those dreaded clip-in pedals. Because we all know what a clutz I am. But I like to go fast. So I had to be brave.

Brave enough to push forward with this marathon training cycle, even with minimal road time and maximal cross training.

Brave enough to push outside of my comfort zone. So many times. You know what? Nothing great happens there.

And scared to stop being brave. Because what will happen when I do?

I love that I can do hard things. I love that in spite of not being able to run as much as I want to right now, I can transfer that level of fitness to other activities like cycling and pool running. I love that I can lift heavy things. More than anything,  I love that I'm crushing expectations. I'm getting stronger and I'm getting faster.

I've become brave. Both on the road and off. Because for me, it always comes back to running. Running has made me brave. Running makes me push my limits and define who I am.

Don't let the way others see you define who you are.

Be brave. Leave the comfort zone. And let it change the way you see yourself.

Are you brave? 

I'm linking up with DebRuns for Wednesday Word. Today's word is brave. Check out what everyone else is saying about the word brave!







102 comments :

  1. And for me it really is all about that last part – – how we view ourselves. I have done a couple of things others deemed brave. But I didn't leave it about myself. Yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm still working on that too--how I see myself. I've never considered myself to be brave. But when I was writing this--well, I guess I am!

      Delete
  2. I'm definitely brave, but I run for different reasons that most coaches or people at my "level": I run to run. The races give me an excuse.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post my friend! It's amazing really what incredible adventures life can take us on once we dare exit that comfort zone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true! And it helps to have friends who push me out of that comfort zone!

      Delete
  4. I think building challenging goals (running and otherwise) is really important. That keeps you sharp and motivated. And it takes confidence and bravery and boldness to go after them. -C

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree! But you have to be brave enough to make those goals--and then yes, seeing them through!

      Delete
  5. i would say somedays i am brave and others not so much. i do like to think i will try anything once!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't say that about myself--I'll never go skydiving or scuba diving!

      Delete
  6. I love the transparency of this post. Being brave is something I struggle with daily. I love your tenacity and that you realize you are so brave. Running helps me too--I signed up for the half-marathon that almost defeated me last year. I'm determined to PR!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that you are going to tackle the beast again! That's brave!

      Delete
  7. Its always daunting to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, but doing so can only help make you stronger.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have never considered myself brave but perhaps some of the things I've done lately would suggest otherwise. Great post Wendy!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm not sure that I'm very brave with my running, but I do think that running gives me confidence to be brave in other areas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're brave with your running! You didn't let the weather intimidate you on Sunday, and you crushed that race.

      Delete
  10. Complacent? Yes, in regards to housekeeping ;-) Brave? I think so....but I still have yet to conquer water (panic attack just waiting to happen when water gets in my nose) or clip-in pedals (NO thanks!). I have become complacent with my speed.....I'm not getting slower, but I have plateaued. I just don't want to invest the time and energy into the crazy amount of speed work it would take to see results....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The idea of open water swimming scares me! I don't know that I want to brave and learn how to swim like that.

      Delete
  11. Running helps push me out of my comfort zone...I am still working on leaving that comfort zone....great post Wendy!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Seriously, I don't consider myself to be brave. Have I "braved" some things? Yes. But I can definitely let fear of the unknown stop me in my tracks, too.

    I look at my mom, though, and how much she has changed throughout her life, and as always, looking at her, although I love her, I can see what I don't want out of life.

    One of my husband's hobbies in pistol shooting. He complains all the time that he almost never gets to go to his matches. And that's because he chickens out at the least little sign of bad weather. His first match was this past Saturday. It rained the day before, but not too bad. Did he go? Of course not. I tried to jolly him into doing it, but he wouldn't budge.

    It snowed/sleeted the night before my race. The roads were an icy mess. I went anyway (and thankfully the roads where the race were run were perfectly clear).

    And my PT appt Monday? Ugh, almost blizzard conditions & they basically almost didn't clear the roads until the evening. It took me 45 minutes to get home (should only take 15).

    So yes, running does push me out of my comfort zone -- in a good way!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Being a regular reader of your blog, I do think of you as very brave and inspiring. Running and the running community has made me more brave than I used to be. I'd like to push myself out of my comfort zone a little more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always get scared when I get past my comfort zone--but I've never regretted pushing out of it!

      Delete
  14. I feel the same way sometimes... little me? Not brave at all. But I know I've had to fight through some pretty hard things and I'm still here and smiling! So maybe I'm braver than I think :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I know I'm not brave but I'm working on trying to do small things that take me out of my comfort zone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, if you're working on it, that makes you brave! It would be so easy to just sit back and stay in the same mode.

      Delete
  16. Sometimes I think I am brave but I know I do hold myself back with other things. Baby steps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For sure, we are all like that! I'll never do certain things. Like skydiving. Or binge drinking. Not a fan of the hangover.

      Delete
  17. I love this! It's such a shift in mentality for so many of us, but we really must move beyond our comfort zones if we want things to change. I had to be brave when I first took up running in 2010, running my first mile at almost 250 pounds. It was so worth it and I try to remind myself of that whenever I'm asked to be brave or do something scary.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sometimes I just gotta do it. I sign up for, plan, etc, and when it comes around I just go for and do my best. I think many things it's just a step of faith.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, it's just a leap of faith! Or as I like to think, it's like jumping off the high dive in the pool.

      Delete
  19. Yes! I have done so many races I was terrified to do. But I stuck through all the anxiety and it's been worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Brave? Not really. But I like a challenge so that's where running comes in.

    You are amazing - weight lifting, yoga, biking...superwoman.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I don't know about superwoman. I just like a little variety in my workouts!

      Delete
  21. Amen sister- be brave and get outside your comfort zone! When I became a ZOOMA ambassador last year I got a free race entry for any distance and I asked myself, why not the half? I made my mind up then to do it! Funny how one decision leads to another and another!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I definitely have the mindset of "why not me?!" and it's served me well is no many areas of my life. Sure it can be scary, but most things that are worth it are scary.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love it. What an awesome post, Wendy. xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  24. Fabulous post! You sure sound brave :) I'm brave enough to go beyond my comfort zone and try new things, taking friends do with me if they want but going it alone when I need to. I'm also brave enough to do things alone, without the net of others around me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like to think that I'm brave but bottom line, it takes courage to leave the zone!

      Delete
  25. OMG 110% YES to this!!! It's hard (so hard!) to be brave and I can so relate to the wanting to "slow down" that is happening all around me. The people who look and say "why?" because this is life out loud! This is what I love! It scares the hell out of me but I will get back up and do it again and again and again. You are brave. You have showed that and no matter what happens at Big Sur, you were brave enough to START. #highfive

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! That's what I tell people when they ask me why? Because...life... you get only one trip around, may as well have no regrets!

      Delete
  26. I adore this post. You ARE brave! I get it moods sometimes where I just feel like I'll never be good enough - but then I try to pull myself out and remember, like you said, that I can do hard things! More than most. You are awesome. You are brave. You are a rockstar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I get those moods too, where I get so down on myself. But I just pull myself back up again and push myself along. It's not easy but it's always worth it.

      Delete
  27. I absolutely loved this post! You said the things I think all the time. What would I be today if I hadn't been brave enough to step into my first crossfit class by myself at the age of 47? Today, at almost 51, I'm training for a long-course duathlon and hopefully will complete my first sprint triathlon this summer. My body doesn't always cooperate the way I want it to, but the thought of slowing down and "taking it easy" terrifies me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so excited that you are doing new things! I'm scared to slow down too. Altho this marathon training cycle has been a little more challenging than I like!

      Delete
  28. Brave is really good! And that you are!

    I told Allie (Vita) that I used to get scared of signing up for races, because having to tell my family about it, but now I have taken to the Wendy Rivard way to sign up for races "Sign up first, explain later!". So now we can say there is a Wendy way to be Brave!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I struggle with being brave. One of my goals this year was to not let fear hold me back, so I'm working on it but it's definitely a process.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I can relate to this so much! I hated running when I was younger and the thought of running more than a mile or two was terrifying! But after running for exercise in college, I started to love it and slowly began increasing my pace and distances. I never thought I could run even a half marathon by now I'm signed up to run my first full marathon! Running has definitely made me brave.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so excited for you to run your first. The only thing I can tell you about that is to enjoy the ride. There is nothing like the feeling of crossing that finish line.

      Delete
  31. I think lately I have really embraced being brave especially this past weekend- got my first tattoo and ran a half in a blizzard :P

    ReplyDelete
  32. Favorite two quotes (because I can relate)!:
    "There's an expectation that with middle age comes an eventual slowing down. Who me? Slow down?" and
    "I love that I'm crushing expectations. I'm getting stronger and I'm getting faster."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep! You are killing it this year! It has to be the yoga...

      Delete
    2. You're probably right. In any case, I'm not going to stop doing my weekly yoga sessions to prove/disprove that theory. :)

      Delete
  33. This is a great post. I think athletically I'm good with being brave - not being afraid to tackle new races or challenges. But I actually struggle with being brave more in the work & career arena!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like the bravery I've attained from running has transferred over to my work and home life!

      Delete
  34. Brave....it is so hard for me to think about how I have been brave but I like your thought on pushing past your comfort zone. I have done that in a few aspects of my life over the past few years. It is scary at first but once you do it or get into it always glad to have taken the chance to be Brave!

    Great post!!

    -Tamieka@fitballingrunningmom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read your blog and I think brave! Playing football? That's brave!

      Delete
  35. Love, love, love that magnet.

    You are amazing. You have definitely conquered and overcome the demons and injuries and all manner of things. You have definitely earned the title of brave.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brave or foolish? Ha! We'll see in a couple of weeks. Thanks for all your support. You're pretty brave yourself!

      Delete
  36. I'm working on being brave. Baby steps.
    Good on you for going clipless! I'm not quite there yet when I'm outdoors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was a huge step out of my comfort zone! I did learn that you unclip when you crash, tho...

      Delete
  37. I absolutely love this message! I think courage (and not skill, money, whatever else) is the biggest things that separates the doers from the thinkers.

    ReplyDelete
  38. What an inspiring post! I think in order to succeed in anything in life, you have to be brave and step out of your comfort zone. I love that you haven't slowed down and don't see it happening any time soon!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow Wendy....I'm reading this late Wednesday night after a long day, and it's just perfect...I need that magnet....I find that if I'm not brave enough to try something, then it means that I don't really really want it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a really good point. For example, I don't want to skydive. So clearly, I don't need it! In all seriousness, I don't ever want my fears to keep me from chasing my dreams.

      Delete
  40. Most day's I am brave but then there are some days not so much. When life feels like it's too much I search for that comfort zone I stepped out of.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And that's the thing about the comfort zone..it will always be there for you!

      Delete
  41. Love this post! Yes, running has changed my life as well. I am so thankful for this sport and the community it brings. You are an inspiration Wendy! Don't ever stop being BRAVE! I agree, you need to step outside your comfort zone. Dreams don't happen by waiting around for them to come to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think I'll ever stop being brave. Because that would mean I'm getting old, and we both know that ain't happening!

      Delete
  42. Fantastic inspiring post! Im applying for Chicagao this fall.....in hopes of another BQ. I qualified last year, but was one second shy relative to those faster. ONE. Doh!. Did you hear my heart break as i typed that. sigh.
    I got some serious unfinished business. sigh. But in my case it's not bravery I need, but patience. Patience with my body that it does what i need it to do. Come on old knees.....stay with my brave heart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd still love to BQ--that is still a dream for me! I hope you do it! I'll be at Chicago this year as a spectator. I need to let my old feet to rejoin my brave heart!!!!

      Delete
  43. I always consider myself brave. Slightly stupid, but brave whenever I go off on my own to explore new trails. I really should have a plan but curiosity gets the better of me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like that slightly stupid but brave. That describes me to a t!

      Delete
  44. I think you are an incredibly inspirational woman, Wendy! You may feel anxiety and a lack of self confidence, but your actions and your accomplishments are as strong and powerful as can be to observers! You can not only do hard things, but you can take those hard things by the horns and smash them into oblivion!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. You are brave! I think middle age causes me to go harder, faster, have less fear, do more and more -- not get complacent. There is so much more life to LIVE, people! And my stupid old body is breaking down faster by the day. Sigh. Part of me feels as if I have unfinished business...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You and me both, sister! We are in this until the bitter end. Together.

      Delete
  46. You are so brave!! You have such a great attitude about your race and just life.
    It takes guts to be brave and forge ahead - you def have that!!
    LOVE this!! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, my friend! Sending brave vibes your way to carry you across that start line to the finish of Boston!

      Delete
  47. You have an awesome attitude and I agree that it is about how we see ourselves. I am not content i being idle I need to push myself and foresee that when I head into my 40's in a few years I wont be slowing down but pushing forward and being brave.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I love this! It's such a shift in mentality for so many of us, but we really must move beyond our comfort zones if we want things to change. I had to be brave when I first took up running in 2010, running my first mile at almost 250 pounds. It was so worth it and I try to remind myself of that whenever I'm asked to be brave or do something scary.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'm older than you and I'm nowhere near ready to slow down yet!

    Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  50. I think in some ways I am brave and in others I am not. I also think that bravery is a lot like a muscle - you have to exercise it or it will atrophy. It's important to keep pushing yourself and take on new challenges, both physical and otherwise. Keep finding days to step out of your comfort zone and get new experiences.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I completely agree with you that bravery is like a muscle! It's hard sometimes to exercise it but its always worth it!

      Delete
  51. Lately my challenge has been with not being brave enough to push through and get myself out of my rut. I am working on getting back to where I was last year at this time, but it will take a ton of work and sometimes I feel like it is such an uphill battle and I am not brave enough to tackle it all and I make an excuse and then eat a Pint of Ben and Jerry's.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so hard to pull myself out of a rut! I think that takes more bravery than anything else.

      But Ben and Jerry's? That trumps everything.

      Delete