Fearless Living Coaching Services
Living la vida Fearless
Weekly Ezine. August 8, 2006


In Training



Some of you may know this already and some of you don't. It's not a secret that's for sure.
I am in training for a 60km walk in support of breast cancer research. The event is called The Weekend to end Breast Cancer. It takes place over two days on September 9 and 10. That means I have exactly one month left to train.
I am a member of a five person team called Chix Out Walking. We try to get together once a week to train.
When I first started thinking about doing this event I was convinced that it was something I felt compelled to do. I have had many people in my life touched in some way by breast cancer and have been blessed to have been spared personally. The trials the women, men
and children go through when suffering through this horrid illness seemed so much more
difficult than committing to walking 60km to support research for a cure. So, because I can, I am walking.
Knowing that I was walking made it imperative that I also begin training. When I signed up in February, September seemed eons away. Training began in earnest and then waned some weeks as is wont to happen if you don’t plan ahead.
When I began the training I thought there were tools I needed to have, should have, didn't know I needed to have and have now had to replace. I got my shoes, I got my proper walking gear, my hat, my sunscreen, my water bottles and waist belt. I picked up a whistle for when I walk alone and a pedometer to keep track of how far I've gone.
I discovered along the way that some tools were absolutely necessary and others were totally redundant and were just weighing me down. Reminds me of life....
As this month begins to pass, and each day takes me one step closer to this event, I have begun to reflect on my progress and that of my team.
Today I tried to figure out how the pedometer actually works as I have never actually done so.
While trying to re-set it I began to contemplate on how far I, and my team, have really come.
I am sharing some of my personal thoughts with you here...
We started out as a starry eyed bunch eager to make a difference and to accept a challenge.
One of our team members had successfully completed the walk last year so she immediately became our fearless leader and wise elder. We are grateful for her knowledge.
She is saving us from great pain as we begin this big day as she is sharing many tips with us on how to walk properly and what to wear to stay comfortable.
Upon further reflection of the last six months I have come to some conclusions.
People have told me this was impossible. It's not. There are more than 4,000 people doing this walk in Toronto alone.
People have told me I would never raise the money needed to participate. They were wrong. People are kind and generous of spirit when I share my goal with them.
People have told me I would never be able to finish this. They are wrong. I have support. I know I will be tired and I know the spirit and enthusiasm spilling out during the two days will be my cane if I need one.
People have told me I am crazy to try this. They are right and they are wrong...depends on what crazy means to them.
The tools I thought I needed to have were not always the right ones.
The tools I did need I didn't always have right away.
The laughter, love and wisdom I am gathering as I train with my team is strength enough to finish this walk.

People ask me if I am afraid I won't finish the walk. No, if I don't finish I know I will have done my very best. I know that it will have been better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all.
But, I don't intend on not finishing! When I was a teenager I did a walk called Miles for Millions. We walked 30 miles in one day. I was a lot younger than but I'm a lot smarter now. I did it then and I will do it now.
Training for this walk has taught me much about myself, about life and about intention
I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow both my physical muscles and my mental muscles. I will carry the proper tools with me on this walk. The most important tool for me to have, I believe, is the belief that I can do this and will do this: belief in one's self, knowing whether you can or cannot, is absolutely true. Henry Ford is quoted as saying "Whether you think you can or think you cannot you are right."

What are some tools that you carry with you that you don't need? What could you add to your tool-box to make your journey easier? Got any thoughts? I'd love to hear them.
Send me an email to Janet @ fearlessliving@rogers.com.

Living la vida fearless,

Jan


Is coaching for you? I work with people who want to be the difference in the world. “Be the change you wish to see.” Gandhi
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