The Catalina Eco-Marathon

• There are limits on talent.
• There are limits on physical ability.
• There are no limits on effort.

I spent the weekend on Catalina Island, California, to cheer for my friend Stacey as she crossed the finish line of the Catalina Eco-Marathon.  Congratulations, girl…you did it!  I’m so very proud of you.

This was no ordinary race.  It was mostly a trail run, with over 6,000 feet of elevation.  Up and down these hills…

With spectacular views from the top…

I’ve never been to a marathon before and had imagined the field of participants as being very fit, muscular, young, and pumped full of super-human adrenaline.  The thing that was most surprising and inspiring was seeing the age-range of the runners.  There were quite a few marathoners who were well over retirement age.  In fact, I talked to one 72-year-old who has run over 100 races.  Goes to show that age isn’t a determining factor when setting out to achieve a goal. 

I realized that we should never again say to ourselves “I’m too old for that” or “I can’t do that” when setting a goal.  That kind of self-defeating talk prevents us from even trying to reach our dreams…whether they’re about fitness, career, personal, or otherwise.   

We may not all have the physical ability to climb Mount Everest…or the talent to win an Olympic medal.  But…we have both the ability and the talent to put 100% effort into reaching for our goals…whatever they may be.

My friend Stacey didn’t start to train for her first marathon until just before her 40th birthday.  Training was not easy, but she was determined to put forth the effort.  She ran the San Diego Marathon in under 4 1/2 hours.  This year, she ran the Catalina Eco-Marathon, one of the most difficult in the country, and crushed her personal goal by 20 minutes.

There are a few things that I’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t.  As I sit here and think about these un-acheivements…I don’t know what’s stopping me other than…me.  The starting line is at my feet.  The training plan is in my hands.  I can’t see the finish line, but I know that it is out there…waiting to be crossed. 

Is there something that you’ve always wanted to achieve, but haven’t made the effort?  Why not?  Is it time to make the commitment to put in the effort and try?