Just keep trying,
Even when it’s hard,
Even when it feels like you’ll never quite get there
Even if you never do get there
You’ll learn so much from the fall from grace
The errors you made
And the memories you’ll make
As you run through life.
So, I like to run. I’m not a very good runner, but I do love to see how far I can go. And the reason I’ve not written anything these last few days is because I was attempting a 100 mile run.
I haven’t done one in ages and I only put in a month’s training so my chances weren’t great, but I stood on the starting line and I gave it a go.
I got to 80 miles and I just ran out of steam and had to give up. I can make loads of excuses, but the truth of the matter is that I just hadn’t put the work in.
However, that doesn’t take the sting out of failing. I set out to run 100 miles and I only ran 80 and that really hurts. There is shame in having to drop out at a check point and I’ve felt crap all day.
But as I was driving home this afternoon, this Coldplay song came on and the first lines just really resonated with me. It reminded me that failure is a part of the human experience.
Every human has to fail at things and we can learn so much from the fails. My body is stronger for the run and I need to be proud for the distance I did do. I mean, who can say that they can run 80 miles? That’s a pretty cool achievement in itself.
So, my advice today would be to embrace those fails. I have a tonne of great memories that I’ll take from that run. I don’t need a medal to tell me that I did something impressive. And it’s put a fire in my belly to go again and get it done.
Much Love
Rachel xx
clivebennett796
Well done! Yep 80 is good 😊.
patientandkindlove
Yep, it’s not too bad!
Greg Dennison
That’s still 72 miles more than I’ve ever run in my life. Good job. And I was never really a big Coldplay fan, but this was always by far my favorite Coldplay song.
patientandkindlove
It’s such a great song. I agree though, I only really liked this one and Clocks.
crispina kemp
My mind boggles at the very thought of running 100 miles, or even 80! But then I’m a walker, not a runner. And as a walker, I know that feeling when you have to admit you can’t complete.
It’s good advice you give, a good and healthy way of looking at it.
We don’t know our strengths and what needs more work until we try. And since we weren’t born fully capable of doing everything, this means time and again we must fail. But each failure is a signpost on the way to success
patientandkindlove
I know, I learn so much from not doing something well the first time. And 80 is pretty cool!
crispina kemp
Too true it is. I’m chuffed to complete a 12 mile walk. But then I’m older than you and I had 13 yrs debilitated with CFS. I’m still recovering, I suppose
Diana
Failure is the best teacher. Without mistakes and failure we would never learn and grow, which is why I never strive towards perfection. I always say “failure is an option, giving up is not!” ✨
patientandkindlove
I love that. And without failure, we wouldn’t appreciate the successes!