Being in the Arena

I kept going because I wanted to remind myself and others of how we can create our own success.

After getting too caught up in the end result for my first marathon, I was determined to go into my second one with a different perspective. I didn’t want it to be about the outcome of my race, or PRing or getting recognition from others. I wanted my second marathon to be about what is actually important to me: showing up and continuing to improve.

My first marathon had scarred me. My second one was about being brave enough to do the marathon again. It was about putting myself back “in the arena” because that is where growth happens, regardless of the struggles, pain or setbacks that come with it.

To help me remember this, my sister-in-law helped me make a shirt that said “Woman in the Arena.” The phrase comes from Theodore Roosevelt’s quotation “Man in the Arena” which talks about how the courageous souls who put themselves in the arena to experience triumph or defeat are the ones who truly deserve the credit, and no one can take that away from them.

My custom shirt was a reminder that I was being a woman in the arena just by training and doing the marathon again. It was a reminder that just the process of getting to the start line had helped me grow in so many ways. That just being in the arena was a success.

And I would get to prove that.

Race day came and it was full of emotions: happiness, gratitude, frustration, determination. I started off the race with so much love and appreciation for every step. Some of my favorite people were both running on the same day as me and cheering me on along the way. I was so privileged. I was so alive. My heart was satiated, but I would soon learn that my body was not.

Just after mile 21, I fell to the ground because both of my entire legs were sporadically cramping nonstop. Unable to get up, a few kind runners offered me electrolytes and firefighters came to help me until my partner was able to meet us. In the moment, I was devastated. I had not trained for this and I felt helpless.

As every one of my leg muscles I didn’t know existed cramped intensely, there was a moment when I wasn’t sure if I would actually finish what I had started. I just wanted it all to be over. I just wanted to give up.

But I didn’t.

I struggled through the pain.

I waited until my body could move again.

And then I got up and made a choice.

My goal pace was out the window, but I chose to keep going. I kept going because I was determined to finish. I kept going because that is how I define success. I kept going because I wanted to remind myself and others of how we can create our own success.

I kept going and I made it to the finish line.

I often encourage others to define success by the work they put in, the journey they toil through that makes them better, and the example they set that inspires those around them. It’s called being in the arena, and it’s why I wanted to do a second marathon in the first place.

So, my second marathon? No, it was not necessarily the marathon I was planning for. But yes, it was a genuine chance to be a woman in the arena.

And that’s what I tried to do.

Ready to be in the arena? Let’s chat!