I Can Do Hard Hard Things

I was working 50-60 hours a week, not exercising and I had put on a lot of weight. I had a personal traumatic event occur in my life. I needed a way to keep going every day.

I started with running on the treadmill. When I was wanting to quit running, I told myself, "I can do hard things! I am not giving up on life- I have to make my goal. Prove I can do hard things and keep running till I finish my goal for the day."

I nearly passed out several times early on. I lost 37 pounds. I soon got a bike and started riding centuries and competing in triathlons and ran a half-marathon- to prove to myself "I can do hard things". My second year of riding I accomplished 160 miles of Lotoja. During all of this, I kept repeating in my mind, "I can do hard things".

I will soon be 56 yo. I have 7 grandchildren and my life still isn't restored from my difficult life event, but I attribute cycling as my antidepressant, my therapy that keeps me engaged in life.

Centuries seem like no big deal and I've accomplished Lotoja (206 mile ride) 3 times now. My accomplishments and determination in these athletic events have transferred over to living and accomplishing my personal life.

-Linda Garrett