For those who think they can’t

10 Nov

Posted by admin as Author: Paula, Health-Me

Before I became an Interaction Designer at Eliza, well, before I really did anything in my life, I was born with a congenital hip defect. My hip sockets did not develop correctly and starting at six months old, I wore a hip brace that looked like a very stiff and not so fashionable oversized diaper for over a year.

My parents spent time every morning and night doing hip exercises with my chubby little legs to try and groove out the sockets that so that I would have a chance of walking correctly.

As I learned to walk, the brace and treatment seemed to have done their magic. In fact, starting at age 6, I took dance for almost 20 years.

But running was never something I was able to do without pain or just frustration at how slow I was. My legs just did not move in any way that they should to make me an effective runner and no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get past a mile without stopping.

I wanted to be a runner so badly - one of my biggest goals was to run a marathon…so much so that I would watch the start of the Boston marathon on TV each year with tears running down my face.

Last year, just to see, I joined a beginners running clinic in Salem, MA with the hopes that maybe one day I could learn to run 5 miles without stopping and without pain. The first clinic, I was doubled over gasping for air after running the first 100 meters.

But slowly, I learned how to run a 200 meter sprint. And then a 400 meter sprint. And then a mile. And then last Thanksgiving, I ran my first 5 mile race and didn’t stop once.

And something in my head clicked that if I could learn to run 200 meters and I could learn to run 5 miles, I could, maybe, just maybe, actually learn to run a marathon.

In January of this year, I was offered the opportunity to run the NYC Marathon and raise money for the local autism non-profit, For Jake’s Sake. Armed with who I personally feel is one of the most gifted and amazing running coaches around, Michael Toomey, along with a fabulous running Club in Salem (Wicked Running Club) and the support of my family – I set out with 100% determination.

On November 6, 2011, I finished the NYC Marathon with not an ounce of pain, in a full on sprint for the last mile and my heart glowing out of my chest.

I don’t share this to brag but to tell anyone who doubts or believes they have what it takes to reach a physical goal that I am proof positive it goes far beyond physical ability.

It’s that sometimes - reaching your goals is 99.9% all about the strength of your heart.