Get to the Start Line!

For a few years I have been trying to get into a highly coveted race down here in South Florida; the 7 mile Bridge Run in Marathon Florida.  They only accept 1,500 participants of which many are Florida Keys residents so there are few slots open for others.  This year I woke up at the crack of dawn to register online and I finally got in!  For me its a cool race not because of the distance but because very few people get to run on this historic bridge.

The race was supposed to be this past Saturday.  I drove the 2 hours to get to Marathon, FL on Friday night to stay with some friends.  We all had a feeling the weather would be terrible and it was very likely we would be running in the rain.  Come Saturday morning it looked like we were in the middle of a tropical storm.  We were all concerned they would cancel the race due to bad weather but we all got ready anyway.  We drove down to the race start area and patiently waited in the car for news about what they would do with the race.  Finally, with 5 minutes left till race time we heard on the radio that the race was going to start so we all got out in the pouring rain and ran to the start line.

At the start line with us were a few hundred of the registered racers standing in the pouring rain ready for the race to start.  Most of us were shivering and trying to warm up while being pelted on the head with rain drops.  With one minute left to start the race I look to the right to admire the vast ocean surrounding us, then "Bang" I see and then hear a huge lighting strike roughly 5 miles away.  The race committee was forced to call off the race.  Needless to say, most if not all, racers were disappointed by the cancellation.  A race I had been waiting to run for years was now cancelled for the first time in the 31 year history of the race.  I was bummed about it but I was also happy to be able to get into some dry clothes afterward.

On the 2 hour drive home that afternoon I began to think of how this unique situation could be translated into something positive for me to write on my blog.  First off I wanted to share a story of disappointment so that my readers see that positivity and inspiration is not always rosy and also to show you how to change the way you look at certain situations.  As Wayne Dyer said, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."  If you look at things differently you can change the way it affects you.  The situation itself doesn't change but you can change whether it affects you negatively or if you can use it as inspirational juice to keep you strong.

I started to think how many people don't even make it to the start line much less finish a race.  How many people don't even begin to reach for their goals?  How many don't even take the first step to be ready for the opportunity when it comes to them?  How many quit before even making it to the starting line?  Just as crazy is; how many are ready, they train their butts off for the race and then decide to back out at the first sign of an obstacle.


Although I didn't get to race on Saturday, I trained for it and I was ready to make it happen.  I was prepared for the opportunity whether it presented itself or not.  I had the courage to stand on the start line when all evidence showed it was going to be a terrible race day.  Many people on Saturday, I'd say more than half, didn't even make it to the start line.  Regardless of why they didn't make it to the start line, in life you need to not only prepare for the opportunity to achieve your goals but you must also be willing to stand on the Start Line when all signs may be pointing toward difficulty or failure.  If for some reason your opportunity is denied or your race canceled, at least you are ready both physically and mentally to take on the next opportunity.  Rather than getting down on yourself about the denied opportunity, use the momentum of your training and the confidence it gives you to propel you to the next opportunity which is sure to come your way.  Stay grateful my friends!