Have you ever set a big goal, given it your all, and still come up short?
Are you human too? 😜.
I recently faced this reality during a gruelling 100-mile race. The race had a 30-hour cut-off time, and with 6000 meters of elevation gain, it was no easy feat. Despite my rigorous training, planning, and having the perfect crew, things went sideways! My hydration strategy went off track, leaving me lightheaded, weak, and nauseous. I barely made the final cut-off with seven minutes to spare and finished the race over the time limit—for the third time!
I had set my sights on completing this challenging race within the time cap, and I truly believed I would make it this time. I was determined to make it happen. I trained hard, pushed my limits, and was confident in my preparation. Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Life doesn’t always go as planned.
I thought I’d be disappointed. Instead, I found a deep sense of pride. I chose to drop my ego and finish the race anyway. I persevered on a tough day and a tougher course, and while I did not hit my goal, I gained invaluable lessons and a newfound inner strength.
Guess what? People cheered and greeted me at the finish line with open arms once more. I was treated with just as much respect and celebration as a first place finisher! Everyone was so kind, congratulatory, and accepting. This incredible support was a testament to the true spirit of community.
This experience reminded me of other humans who faced setbacks and still achieved great success. Take Jim Walmsley, for example. He is an elite endurance athlete who faced numerous setbacks and failures before becoming one of the most successful ultra-runners in history, winning prestigious races like the Western States and UTMB. And think of Thomas Edison, who failed thousands of times before inventing the light bulb. His story teaches us that it’s not the failures that define us but how we respond to them.
Imperfection is part of our journey. It shapes us into who we are and makes us stronger. Just like the beautiful wall with exposed brick (in the picture above), our imperfections add character to our stories.
Remember, it’s OK to aim high and miss. There’s rich learning in every stumble. So, keep showing up, give it your all, and embrace the journey. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.
Keep getting back up, keep learning, keep growing, and keep going.
Come back stronger 💪🏼!
Much love 💕✨
Hypno Holly
P.S. As I mentioned, the picture above perfectly captures the beauty of imperfection. Let’s celebrate our unique journeys! 🌟