When You Accomplish a Goal – Part 1

It has been a very interesting year so far… and at the same time, nothing unusual has really happened.

I started out the year spending time with the people closest to me, my nuclear family of my husband and all our children.

I started out the year with fun and new things.

I started out the year accomplishing the goal I set for myself a year prior.

I started to write about all the things I gained from those experiences….. and then I never went back to it.

I’m still not quite sure why that is but it is something I want to move through rather than dwell on, so here is to my new beginning for 2023.

It just happens to be 10 days into Q2, and that’s okay.

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SO first of all….. what was the goal?

Originally the goal was to participate in the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge but when I wasn’t able to register for that I “settled” for running
“just” the marathon.

It was fun for me (maybe less for them :)) that 4 of the kids decided to run the marathon as well.

I had decided over 15 years ago that I would like to run a marathon, (another story for a different day) so this seemed like a good time to do that. Check it off the “bucket list” as it were.

I had a training schedule. I had a plan. I had 3 different goals in mind.

My “OVERALL” goal was to run the 26.2 miles in the time allowed – 7 hours – and not get “swept” from the course. (That happens if you run slower than the time limit pace). That is a 16 minute mile pace.

My “STRETCH” goal was to run it in 5 hours. That is an average of 11:30 minute miles.

My net course time was 5:05:22. I consider that a goal achieved!! Not because I am letting myself off the hook but because I chose to stop four times, that would easily add up to those 5 minutes

You see, at Walt Disney World during the race there are also “character photo opportunities” all along the course. This year was a throw back to the 90’s since it was the 30th annual running of the marathon at Walt Disney World. You could also ride some of the rides as you run through all 4 Disney parks.

While I didn’t stop for any rides, mostly out of fear that if I sat down on “Expedition Everest” or “Hollywood Tower of Terror” I might not be able to stand up again, I did decide that if there was no line for a character photo I would take that photo opportunity.

I believe that is why I was able to take pictures with beloved 90’s icons like Timon, Abu, and Darkwing Duck!!

My “OVERALL” goal was to run the 26.2 miles in the time allowed – 7 hours…..

My “STRETCH” goal was to run it in 5 hours.

I also had a “SECRET” goal that I didn’t tell anyone else about.

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I’m Michelle. I am learning how to minimize my overwhelm, perfectionism, and people-pleasing and I am ready to help you do the same. I’m a certified Life Coach and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Come with me and learn how.

I want to take the time to congratulate myself on showing up, imperfectly at times, for myself, for nearly an entire year, to meet, achieve and succeed in my goals…. ALL of my goals for this particular event. Celebrating my achievements is not something I am accustom to so I am working to develop that more for myself as well.