Ask Mammy

Life Lessons

May 20, 2007

I have found that anytime I challenge myself to move outside my comfort zone I learn something new about myself.

This weekend brought many lessons!

Maybe it was significant that I wasn't aware that I was stretching myself - when you've done 26.2 miles in unbearable heat while jetlagged, 13.1 in good weather without leaving the county should be a walk in the park! - and maybe it wasn't significant at all

Lesson number 1: because I really wanted to take part in this event, I was selective about the details involved, which turned out to be a blessing.

Lesson number 2: when what I thought I was afraid of (the ferry crossing) stood between me and what I really wanted to do, (the 1/2 marathon) it becomes easier to face, even when the conditions are much worse than I could have imagined.

Lesson number 3: when I face what I fear it turns into a thrilling adventure

Lesson number 4: when there is chaos all around me, there is deep calm within - no matter what

Lesson number 5: I am competitive! This was a big revelation for me! I would have sworn that I don't have a competitive bone in my body and I honestly thought that I believed that taking part was much more important than winning. But, when the ferries stopped running on Friday and I was the only female marathon participant on the island I suddenly thought 'I could win this!' But, the wind died down enough on Saturday morning for the rest of the competitors to arrive so that possibility quickly disappeared! So, as long as I knew there wasn't a hope of me coming close to finishing first, I was happy to say that the taking part is all that matters - but as soon as a glimmer of a possibility of me actually winning something arrived, I wanted it!

Lesson number 6: homework pays! This was tougher than any other walk I have ever done because of the nature of the terrain. If I had taken the trouble to ask the people who did it last year, I'd have known that and would not have trained on flat ground!

Lesson number 7: it's all relative! There was a slight swell on the way back to the mainland today and the sea was a bit choppy. But compared to the journeys we all experienced on Friday and Saturday, it was like a pond - so nobody complained!

Lots to digest!

Thanks to the wind yesterday, the salt and sand have exfoliated my face better than any microdermabrasion session ever could

My thighs are tired and my hips and knees are sore - but it was such an amazing weekend!

As always, when I take part in these charity events I meet so many amazing people, each one with his or her own fantastic story of what has brought them there.

Here's to each and every one of them!

You are amazing