The old sports rallying cry, “you’ve got to want it to win it” is never truer than when you’re taking on a new challenge.   Often you may find that the hardest obstacle to overcome in training is your inner naysayer.  If given an inch, that voice will take a mile and before you know it you’ll be back at square one.

Currently, I'm about halfway into my training for Half Dome.  I can see and feel the positive changes of my increased activity and my new found (and loved) hobby of hiking.  However, earlier in the week I was struggling a bit.  After hearing yet another person reference the insanity of my endeavor, I gave into the temptation of reading online reviews of the Half Dome hike and a slight panic began to set in:  am I really crazy - can I really do this?
 
Salvation comes from strange places.  I continued to scroll down the long list of reviews written by “active”, “in-shape”, “avid hikers” for some glimmer of hope.  I wanted someone like me to write a review that indicated that yes, although not easy, they made the trek up Half Dome and therefore I can too.  My hope was restored when I read two shinning reviews of survival from people who were admittedly “overweight”, “over-the-hill”, “smokers”.  

Personally, I don’t run marathons for fun on the weekends but I don’t smoke either.  It appears that as I find myself physically in the middle, then maybe I can summit the Dome after all.   I am taking the physical steps to prepare for this incredible challenge, now I need to focus on developing the mental strength.   

With my confidence restored I am looking forward to hitting the trails again this weekend in continued preparation for Half Dome in August.  Game on!


Image Credit: Flickr/Creative Commons