Monday, January 24, 2011

Go Ahead, Make Mistakes

“Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success.” -Thomas J. Watson

I’d have to agree with Mr. Watson. The way I see it, when you “fail” you have two choices:

  1. Cry. Have a pity party. Give up. Give in. Be the victim. Stay down.
  2. Get back up. Know failing again is a possibility. Try anyway. Never lose sight of the goal, the prize. Keep the faith when you really don’t have a reason to do so. Be the exception. Never be the victim of your circumstances. Take charge.

Today I ran. You might recall I tried last week, but I had too much pain. I was so discouraged. I crawled back into the water with the pussy posse (for those new to the party, I have a hip stress fracture).painscale

Pain today? Yes, there was some pain. But, much less. I’d give it a “3” on the pain scale. It was the first time in 106 days I felt like myself again.  For 20 minutes. Walk 5, run 5, walk 5, run 5, walk 5, run 5, walk 5, run 5, walk 2. A total of 42 minutes and 3.5 miles.

Did I tell you I ran today? Tears sprang from my eyes as I felt like a runner again. I laughed/worried as I felt that familiar stirring in my gut that means stuff is moving (and I hoped I wouldn’t crap my pants). The icy wind stung my face. My legs turned over at 180 strides per minute (yes, I counted). My feet were light, my hips centered. YES! This is what it is all about.

Today I ran and it wasn’t in the water and it didn’t hurt like a mother f*cker.

You know how you have turning points? Those moments when you reap the rewards of all the shit you’ve been experiencing and all the trials you’ve been undergoing? I had that. I felt that.

I could not wipe the smirk off of my face. I stopped for coffee at a small corner store. I praised the coffee man for the warm, steamy cup he handed me. He said, “I live for smiles like yours. Go take that out in the world today and see who else’s day you can make better.” He waved and touched his heart as I drove away. I swear he did. You don’t get that at Starbucks. And, for just a moment in time it all felt perfect.

In the smallest of ways, I AM BACK. I felt that very subtle glimmer of hope. You know the one. You’ve had it too. P1040218

This wasn’t taken today (duh!) but you get the idea.

And, haven’t you missed my poop antics?

Shit yes, there have been many setbacks since October. And, there will be more to come. But, the point is, failure (setback) upon failure upon failure brought me to this day. To 20 minutes of “okay” running where my hip didn’t hurt and there wasn’t a grimace on my face from the pain.

20 minutes to Boston, right?

A reader emailed me today and said her kids had been slightly appalled when she got her SUAR sticker in the mail. After all, “shut up” is a bad word. They apparently have taken on the nasty habit of using “Shut Up and...(insert verb here)” throughout the day. They even drew a picture to symbolize the phrase:

shutupandruntowel

Priceless. I like to think I am negatively influencing children, one kid at a time.

Shut up and shit! Shut up and masturbate! Shut up and pay a hooker!

Yeah, it’s true. We might be in last place if we don’t Shut Up and Run. But, last place or first place, the point is that we tried. That we did what we said we were going to do. That we weren’t afraid of failing. That fear never held us back.

On my way,

SUAR

76 comments:

  1. This gave me chills. It's all about those 20 minutes. And trying. I love the last paragraph of this post!!!

    And the SUAR sticker story is awesome. Thanks for sharing the drawing. And thanks for reminding me I still need to order one of those!!

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  2. oh, yes, have very much missed your poop antics. great post :-)

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  3. That is great that you ran pain free (almost)! Hope it is all uphill from here because you know there is that one hill in Boston.... okay we won't talk about that : )

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  4. HELL YA! So excited for you! Keep 'em coming! One day at a time friend.
    LC

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  5. Yay!!! My physio gave me the best advice, he said I will have ups and downs as the injury fixes itself, but eventually the ups will become more than the downs until suddenly it is working again :) Hang in there - its all looking positive, and that comes from attitude!

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  6. I seriously got goosebumps when I read this. Not about the masturbating part but just loving the feeling I KNOW you had today!!! So happy for you Beth. It will go fast from here! Hope you're celebrating a little tonight:)

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  7. Wow - aren't you happy?? I'd be over the moon, I think! So glad you're finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel!

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  8. Congrats on your 20 minute run! That's really awesome. I hope this is just the first of many enjoyable runs.

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  9. Quite simply AWESOME! So happy for you. It's been a long road for you and now you can turn the corner.

    I think now I get that special treadmill, right?

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  10. Awesome! that attitude of a warrior!
    do you the light at the end of the tunnel? it is there....right BEFORE you reach Boston! Believe!

    This is a good day Beth. Good for you.

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  11. Awesome post, so inspiring! Congrats on the run. That's a huge success even from last week :)

    Http://justrunmego.blogspot.com

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  12. Woohoo for this positive note!!! You will go to Boston and finish this marathon :)

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  13. So happy for you. I KNOW how that feels! Celebrate and celebrate some more!

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  14. I cried tears of joy for you!! I am so happy for you!! Hooray!!

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  15. Oh yes, on your way for sure! This made my week!

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  16. I hope you continue to feel like you "are back" more and more each day!!! What a great day ~ I loved the coffee guy/smile story.

    ...and what a cute picture by what must be some really adorable kids ;-)

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  17. I must really feel awesome to be able to get back to it... Maybe your reader's kids should try reading your blog, see how 'appalled' they can get!

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  18. 180 steps per minute.. WOOT, WOOT!!! Great job!!

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  19. Typo in my previous post... I meant to say "It must really feel awesome...", but I guess there might be some truth to the way my post initially turned out. Ha

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  20. You said, "Get back up. Know failing again is a possibility. Try anyway. Never lose sight of the goal, the prize. Keep the faith when you really don’t have a reason to do so. Be the exception. Never be the victim of your circumstances. Take charge." My motivation tonight. Thank you! I am so happy for you in your moment of victory - I run tonight in celebration of YOU!!!!

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  21. Thrilled for you! And with perfect cadence too?
    20 minutes at a time, you will get to Boston, and you will finish.

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  22. Loved your description of feeling the run. I'm 10 days post surgery. Looking forward to that feeling.

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  23. I cant wait for you to start running again so the daily poop stories return.. :)

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  24. No. Fear.

    Mistake is my middle name. And Learning Moment is my credo.

    20 minutes at a time... you're doing it. Awesome!

    And I am so glad you mentioned that about the picture... I was thinking "how the hell can she be so freakin' tan?"

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  25. Yay... and in the immortal words of ll cool j...

    Don't call it a comeback
    I been here for years
    Rockin my peers and puttin suckas in fear

    Glad you're back on the trail...

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  26. Yay! You're running on solid ground again! That is awesome...20 minutes is just one more step in the right direction! :)

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  27. This post made me laugh AND cry. However, I just finished watching a very emotional "Intervention" on Bravo so I am a little weepy anyway. Loved the encouraging words at the end. So glad to hear you are running with less pain! Yipee!

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  28. Like the man at the coffee ship I have a tear in my eye and I'm touching my heart at the same time.

    I knew this day would come because you are strong. You are determined. You are smart about training. You are realistic about life.

    You are my inspiration and motivation. If you can get in the pool and run for 90 minutes just to get to Boston I can do anything and deal with anything that life throws my way.

    I am proud today because of what you accomplished.

    Keep it up....Shut Up and Rehab and you will be RUNNING THE BOSTON before you know it.

    Way to go!!!!!

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  29. Love this!!! So proud of you! thanks for the motivation...not long before Boston!

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  30. i am so. happy. for. you! excellent. 20 minutes to boston indeed. yay yay yay. you're also 20 minutes closer to meeting me hahahah ;)

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  31. Well, look at you! What a great moment. Well-deserved and absolutely inspiring to anyone else who's been gut-punched by failure. Congrats on not crapping your pants, too.

    When you start printing the Shut Up and Masturbate bumper stickers, sign me up for one, please. Make that two.

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  32. I am so HAPPY for you. Oh, this is great!

    I bought brown running pants, thought about sharting in them, and thought of you.

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  33. So HAPPY for you! You ran...on the ground! You are amazing!

    BTW, I read your bio on Athleta, social worker huh? Both of our kids are adopted. You have a GREAT job!!!

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  34. 20 freakin minutes!!! Cheering with you over here.

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  35. Shut up and masterbate works for me.
    That pic of you is amazing, and you have terrific shoulder muscles...yes, I observe it all, I'm kind of part-lesbian that way.
    You go girl, you will recover and rise to rule the world!

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  36. The world is round again!

    Super duper fantabulous.

    BTW, very nice mid drift in the pic. That just may work for my calendar. Please tell me you've listened to the song Shut Up by the Black Eye Peas. I dig it.

    Shut up
    Just shut up
    Shut up [3x]
    Shut it up, just shut up
    Shut up
    Just shut up
    Shut up [3x]
    Shut it up, just shut up

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  37. Just found your blog: love it! :) 106 days of not running and still being that positive minded: wow! You're an inspiration. :)

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  38. Golden morning for you - a happy run and a nice coffee. No wonder you were smiling.

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  39. Congratulations! You are so lucky. I've had plantar fasciitis since September and have barely run since then. I must be one of the few readers who is envious of how your running has been going! Good luck with your next runs.

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  40. So I shouldn't let my kids read your blog???? Shut Up and write.......... Congrats on the 20.

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  41. Hot dog! Good for you and the underwear industry. :)

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  42. Super fantastic news! As a Boston marathon spectator, I can't wait to scream out "Shut Up and Run" when you STRONGLY and SPEEDILY run by me on the sidelines.

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  43. Everything about this post is awesome! So happy for you!

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  44. So happy for you...this is such exciting news! You are such an inspiration Beth! Loved the drawing :)

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  45. great news about the run!!! hopefully the next one will go even better!

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  46. Sorry, but I feel obligated to point out that the pain scale has the 'Happy faces' listed in the wrong order. It seems to be in reverse.

    Just sayin'....

    :)

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  47. What an awesome post! You are an inspiration! And I am really so very happy you were able to run for 3.5 miles....SWEET!!!! Now shut up and run some more!!!

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  48. JohnP - what? I don't see it that way. 10=worst pain with saddest face. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?

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  49. Now that was an awesome post! Welcome back to running (although I have heard that pool running is really challenging, it just isn't the same!)!

    Eugene Greenie
    http://trainingup.wordpress.com

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  50. The pain scale is right...10 is the worst pain you will ever feel.

    When we were at my Sport Med. appt a few weeks ago, my 6yo asked about the Pain Scale on the wall and I explained what it was, with 10 being like 'being stabbed with a bunch of really sharp sticks a million times' to which he replied (no lie here) 'Kind of like getting a chain saw up your ass!' To which my deadpan, autistic son replied 'Yep. That would be a 10.'

    I could not make this shit up if I tried.

    BTW, awesome 20 mins of pain free running. Total, and complete awesomeness. :)

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  51. I'm waaaaaay behind - sorry to hear that you had some pain last week. Sounds like things are looking up again! Keep fighting the good fight - and letting people know when their smile makes your day!

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  52. Beth is back! Congrats on having an enjoyable run today. You are a remarkable woman. :-)

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  53. So effing stoked for you! That is a huge victory in my books and hell yeah you'll own Boston. Cheers to a 3/10 pain, and fingers crossed for future pain-free runs (the good kind, not the poop kind).

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  54. Seriously, I can't get over how happy I am for you!! You are amazing and so determined....you go and get 'em girl! LOVE that picture of yoU!

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  55. Sweet! Today is a good day - congrats on the 20 mins! Hope it leads to many more.

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  56. Awesome! You are 20 minutes closer to Boston!

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  57. I got all teary just reading this- yay for you!

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  58. You're BACK!!!! I just got goosebumps, not kidding. One step at a time, you will toe that Starting (and finishing) line at Boston...NO doubt.

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  59. Yay yay yay!!! I am SOOOO happy for you! Woohoo!!

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  60. Here is a MUCH BETTER pain scale:

    http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/02/boyfriend-doesnt-have-ebola-probably.html

    And, OMG! I had the same feeling! On the same day!

    The Boston better get ready! Congratulations!

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  62. I like that philosophy - it's the "wannabe" philosophy in different words.

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  63. Yay! So very happy for you. Get it gurl! And don't poop your pants from the excitement.

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  64. Awesome motivation.

    So happy for you.

    Winks & Smiles,
    Wifey

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  65. Surely you can hear me laughing from the Western Slope?

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