I have this theory.
I think that anything is possible with hard work and a smile. It’s a kind of pie in the sky ideal for me. Work Hard, enjoy the process, what bad can come of that?
The task is simple, just work, then smile. Or work…and smile. Simultaneous work/smile combinations tend to make those around you think that you are superhuman.
But really, sometimes it doesn’t quite work out like that. Sometimes I find myself gritting my teeth, gutting through, letting my mind wander to my happy land. When I look back I always say “Sonja, why were you making that harder than it needed to be, where was the smile, where was the joy”?
And sometimes it’s all smiles, all joy, but not a whole lot of hard work. It goes that way at times.
But the goal is always hard work and a smile.
Last night in a discussion back and forth with CV we solved a little HR puzzle. CV’s eyes were opened to how high of a heart rate I can hold for a long time. He hasn’t seen it before (and he’s seen a lot). He said this (I hope he doesn’t mind that I posted this, if he does I’m sure I will hear about it):
I’ve honestly never seen a 168avgHR for 5.5 hours on foot. That shows how tough you really are In a word, tough!
That word just sat there…like Annie taking a Sharpie to the coffee table.
Tough.
Tough.
Me, tough? yea, I guess so. But maybe I never noticed because I was too busy having fun. I think that tough is what happens along the way when you are chasing the fun.
It made me wonder if all my “Ra-Ra”ing that I do to support others is somehow jaded because I’m tough, and maybe others aren’t as tough.
“Well, she can do that stuff because she’s tough”.
And I am tough, I know that, but I just never wanted it to matter because I want to think that others can do what I do, even if they aren’t as tough.
I really like to think that it’s my joy and love for what I’m doing that enables me to persevere through pain and miles. But what if the love and the joy is just a side effect? What if I do this stuff because I’m just a tough MFer?
I don’t know a lot but this I do know. There is a crapload more in me. It’s a little scary to type that, and it could be because I’m afraid of what you out there will think. You must think I’m crazy enough already.
But in life we get no second round. No rewind button. We must find out our limits on this earth, before it’s too late.
“The difference between great people and everyone else
is that great people create their lives actively,
while everyone else is created by their lives,
passively waiting to see where life takes them next.
The difference between the two
is the difference between living fully and just existing.”Michael E. Gerber
PIC and I were talking yesterday and I said “I want to do Ultraman (10K swim, 261 mi bike, 52 mi run, over three days). She said “Well it’s about time that you admitted that out loud”.
There is more in me. My goals for this year are set and I think some of them are going to show me more about myself than I know. But, there is more in this tough girl. And to pry it out, it’s going to take:
Hard Work and a Smile.
Cross Posted at Trakkers.com
Kelly says:
I love this! You do have more in you, I just know it, and I’m sure you will tough it out with a big ole grin on your face and a GRRRR in your belly!! Can’t wait to watch.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Darryl says:
Hey,
I nearly flipped off my chair after reading your average hr for the ultra. I find it tough getting up there for any distance!! You ARE tough!!
March 8th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Mandy says:
Your toughness inspires others to realize that they are tougher and have more in them then they thought – keep it up! AND I am blown away with your Avg HR for the ultra, holy crap.
March 8th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Laura Vedeen says:
say it like it is and don’t hold back! You’ve found your calling! As soon as you said Ultraman…that clicked in mind, like “yup, that’s Sonja.”
March 8th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
velma (beth) says:
Fantastic post! Thanks for letting us follow along.
March 8th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
triAndrea says:
You are a tough cookie girlie girl…oh and a girlie girl too. Cuz even the tough ones are feminine and soft
You have discovered your tough spot and are allowed to express it and that expression is an inspiration. Run with it girl-literally 
The ra ra ing you do out there for others brings a reminder that someone tough believes in them. Sometimes those who have not discovered or fostered their tough side need that from a tough cookie.
March 8th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Hillary says:
You are Wiecked Tough and I love seeing you explore how far you can go. I may never be able to do what you can, but it is nice to know that you are in my corner, always supporting and pushing me to go beyond my self-imposed limitations.
March 9th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Leslie Gerein says:
….hmmm, given that HR for that long I think you may have found your calling! Like I said, it’s going to be a perfect course for you at Moab and a great adventure. Just Grrr it Up in the dark, ease off the Peeps and maintaining your Electrolytes will keep the nausea at bay…
March 12th, 2010 at 1:09 pm