“You must do the thing you think you cannot do”- Eleanor Roosevelt. I double dare you to do that very thing that you think you cannot do!
I just conquered my hardest race yet… The Whistler Alpine Meadows 100 Miler 😁👊🏻! This was a race that I thought was nearly impossible for me.
As I’ve said in previous newsletters, I used to really struggle with the climbs on my ultras and I often felt very defeated…. SO I did the thing I thought I could not do.
In 2019, I signed up for an advanced level 100 miler (Whistler Alpine Meadows) with high elevation which means lots of steep and tough climbing. To put it in perspective, this race’s overall elevation is slightly higher than Mount Everest 😳. My boyfriend signed up and I had FOMO 😂 so of course, I reluctantly signed up also. I was so intimidated by this race. It scared the 💩 out of me. I wasn’t even sure how I’d pull this off. Every race has a required time that you have to achieve otherwise you are pulled from the race. It’s very challenging to move fast on steep and technical terrain. I was not even sure how I’d even make these even seemingly generous required cut off times on time 🤷♀️.
Due to Covid the race had been cancelled, however; I signed up again for 2022. This race still terrified me. I wanted to show myself that I CAN climb and that I CAN be the ultra runner I know I am. Guess what? I freaking did it 😁🤸♀️. I finished 7th female and in 40 hours (8 hours ahead of the cut off).
This race showed me what was possible. After conquering this race, I feel unstoppable now. I invite you to empower yourself in the same way!
To anyone out there who’s doubting themselves….. I dare you to lean in and do the very thing that you think you cannot do. I will follow through on my double dare and do the same.
Struggling? I’d be honoured to help. Send me an email at coach@hollygrahn.com and let’s talk.