The Rocking Chair Test

For five months, I prepared to take part in something that I had never done before.  Rather than having to or needing to achieve this goal, I was more curious whether I was physically capable.

I took part in my first marathon, the Standard Chartered Race in Singapore. Not sure whether I could achieve this task on my own, my work colleague who is a veteran runner arranged for four other team members, herself and myself to run 7 km each to make up the full marathon of 42 km. While preparing, I soon realised that I would have to overcome my mental limitations which were proving to be more of a battle than my physical capabilities. I wanted to know what strategies marathon runners used to keep motivated because I was suffering from boredom and restlessness practising on the treadmill. My self talk was telling me that it would be a miracle if I could run 2km let alone 7km on the day and I was starting to go down that familiar path of lacking self belief. The following comments from friends who have run marathons gave me the motivation and belief to go for it:-

 1."Well I've only been a runner for a few years - I never find it boring so long as I have a target, so that's what the races are for. But also it helps me to blow away any stress from work, life etc who knows how long I will be able to run for given the late start but at least I'll be able to sit in my little old lady rocking chair one day and look at my finisher medals knowing that I did something I never in my life thought I would do."

2. "Run outside for variety and break down the final distance into smaller chunks."

3. "Maybe you could just think back to all those rheumatoid arthritis (RA) doctors who told you that you would be in a wheelchair by now, and do the run for them!!"

So I followed these tips and they all worked for me. As soon as I mentioned to other gym goers that I was taking part in a marathon, I was amazed how everybody helped me overcome my mental obstacles in some way, whether they were tactical tips or simply congratulating me for signing up. My aerobics instructor encouraged me to run on the treadmill after a full hour's highly energetic workout! Even though I was bright red and dripping in sweat, I was spurred on to push the boundaries and run a further 3km. 

One gym goer volunteered to run outside on the Bali roads with me to help me prepare for the big run. If I could overcome the pot-holes, yapping dogs, motorbike and vehicle obstacles on these roads, then surely I could run in Singapore.  A whole new world of preparing for a target that was outside my experience opened up to me. 

My sense of euphoria, however, was abruptly flattened when I went to see a RA specialist in Singapore two days before my run. My achievement of having been drug free for two and a half years was ignored because I had not been taking the usual heavy drugs that are prescribed for RA 'sufferers' and was therefore somehow in the wrong. Deflated by yet another specialist who didn't want to listen to what I wanted (I went for an allergy test which he refused to do for me), ironically I ran the race with added determination.  I enjoyed the first 7km so much, I was prompted by my colleague to show those doctors that I could run another 7km and I did!

Janet and somne of the Nolimits running team

Now I have the satisfaction of knowing that one day as part of my own rocking chair test, I have achieved one of my goals and I can go on achieving it . I learned some important life lessons en route: set a target, break down into smaller, achievable chunks, ask others for advice and mix with some added determination of why you want to do it.

What do you dream of doing and what can you start to do to ensure you pass your own rocking chair test? 

After all......


"If only. Those must be the two saddest words in the world."
--Mercedes Lackey

Good luck with being who you want to be and Happy New Year.

Janet
www.nolimitsasia.com