All it took was that one race in April 2011 in Clearwater, Fl. 5K (3.2 miles) 1900 people, I CAN embroidered on my shirt, I came in 22nd place, 2nd in my age category and I had met my goal.
After my race was over, I stood with my mother to watch the girls finishing the half marathon race. One girl in particular stood out to me. Her coach was on the sidelines yelling and screaming as she was pushing herself at a miraculous pace to the finish line. An overwhelming feeling came over me. This person was so strong and was clearly pushing herself so hard and I said out loud, “Wow, that is amazing, I could never do that. I could never run a half marathon”. It made me sad because I saw these women as truly amazing athletes and really believed that I could never accomplish something like that. As I stood there with my I CAN shirt on, my mother responded, “you can do that”. It was at that moment that the motto on my shirt became real and true.
I joined a team, trained and ran a half marathon. It was so hard and so rewarding and I was quickly addicted and knew that I could accomplish anything that I put my mind to. Thanks Mom!
I CAN is not only about sports and athletes, but about all people in this world. Everyone that truly believes that they CAN accomplish anything. These are athletes, people that have overcome physical or mental challenges, those that fight to make this world a better place one person at a time.
I CAN has become a way of life. Even though, there is self gratification with I CAN, it is also showing others that THEY CAN. I encourage, support and push people to accomplish their goals. Yes, push people! I have been known to be the pushy cheerleader. I yell, I cheer, I am your biggest fan and everyone knows that failure or giving up is not a choice!
You may not reach your goals overnight, in a week, a month or a year but if you keep fighting and believing, YOU CAN!
Welcome to I CAN everyone!!!! I will be here to give you encouragement, give you ideas on how you can help others, believe in you when times get tough and you think that you cannot reach your goal, expand your mindset to recognize and believe all possibilities in life and in turn improve your mental well being.
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