"You aren't going to finish!" ... "You might as well stop trying." ... "You're too big, you're going to give up." ... "Failure!" ...
These thoughts were coursing through my head as I took part in the RHA Orange Run today. With little training, little knowledge, and weak ankles I began to run as soon as I heard "Go!" I stopped running after only a short time, getting winded rather quickly, but I trudged along. My friend, Melissa, walked and ran alongside me, supporting me in what was a very new experience for me. Running had never been something I enjoyed, or was able to do for long periods of time, due to my body's limitations. Inheriting your father's weak ankles certainly hinders any real running capability, not to mention the fact that my calves and shins tend to cramp and splint very easily.
Passing the 1K marker wasn't very strenuous, and I thought "I can do this!" However, my thoughts soon began to change. As we continued along, running every so often, I began to tire quickly. My legs were cramping, my footsteps became smaller, more labored, and my breathing began to become heavy. After the 1K marker, I first began to contemplated taking the short path, giving up on completing the entire 5K. Melissa pushed me, encouraging me that I had it and could do it. Despite her reinforcement, though, I was quickly beaten down. Occasionally, my steps were so painful that I teared up and wanted to collapse. Halfway into the 5K, Melissa and I were numerous yards apart; I was upset with myself, wishing I could keep up with her, but there was nothing I could do. We passed the 2K sign, and the 3K sign, and I really felt I'd reached the end of my rope.
The 3rd kilometer was the point at which I'd felt the most defeated. There were several hills, and the path was covered in mulch, which made walking even more difficult. I didn't think I could do it, and I wanted to throw in the towel. Every time I looked up, though, Melissa stood in front of me with a smile on her face. "I'm not leaving you behind. We're doing this together." That was the theme of the day. She helped me scale one steep hill, watched as I scaled others, and kept supporting me. Melissa never let me get too far behind her, despite my thoughts that she probably wanted to run far more than I could. Nearing the 4K marker, the pain was intense. I continued on, but I feared I'd never be able to get further.
A race monitor brought me a banana and a bottle of Gatorade, which did less than I'd hoped to relieve my pain (though they certainly did help). Just about 1K left, and the defeated thoughts still came. I pushed them out as much as possible. Mind over matter, I kept reminding myself. I had to push out the pain, the soreness, and my own insecurity. We rounded the final corner, and I saw the last hill in front of me. Still struggling, we began to scale it together. Closer and closer we came to the end, and a smile crossed my face. I'm doing this! I looked at all of the people who'd finished before us (which was everyone else involved in the run), but I didn't let it get to me. I began to run. "If I'm going to finish this thing, I'm finishing it running," I shouted to Melissa as I passed her. We crossed the finish line together, amidst cheers of those who'd finished far ahead. I didn't care, though. I had finished my first 5K, and I felt amazing in spite of the pain.
My first 5K was strenuous, stressful, and painful. I almost gave up several times, had to stop and stretch/catch my breath, and struggled to move through most of it. We were in last place from the beginning, and we finished last. It didn't matter, at all, because I wasn't in it to win. I wasn't even in it to place. Referencing a previous blog, this had to do with the ERL equation. I was experiencing something new. I crossed that finish line a winner. Not because I actually won, or received a medal, or even placed highly. I won because I showed myself that I could do it. I showed determination in spite of fear, pain, and thoughts of defeat. Reflecting upon this situation, I have become a stronger person for doing this. I may be sore for a couple of days, but it'll be well worth it. I look forward to new challenges, and new chances to grow.
Until next time,
Brandon
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
The ERL Equation - Inspired by a Friend
Hello all. This is a late post, and is a bit of a long one, but bear with me. I am very happy with it. Over the past several weeks, the executive members of the Lynn and Francis Jackson Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary have been presenting on topics which we are passionate about. There have been presentations about goal setting, organization, and even lasting friendships (among other things). This week, though, we opened the floor to one of our oldest members (and one of my best, closest friends). This was an effort to give her a chance to present on something inspirational before her graduation. While I knew this presentation would be fantastic, I had no idea how inspired I would feel afterward.
Upon taking the floor, she introduced the presentation as "The ERL Equation." At first, puzzled looks could be noted on the faces of some of our members. But as she explained it further, the looks of confusion turned into looks of curiosity. The ERL equation is symbolic, representing a figurative equation: experience + reflection = learning. This will be explored further below.
The first part of the equation, experience, is important to consider. Firstly, you have to think about your passions. Knowing what one is passionate about will open the flood gates of experience. It is important to seek out opportunities to explore or develop your passions. Consider what opportunities are available to you, and what you want to do, and pursue them. This is the best way to gain experience. Considering the input of others is also important. Close friends, especially, know you well and may have suggestions for opportunities you should explore. Lastly, we MUST try be spontaneous as a way to gain valuable experience. Especially for those of us who plan, spontaneity can be difficult. It is hard to ignore your comfort zone and step out to try something new, but it can be incredibly rewarding. In my case, after this presentation I decided to attempt a 5K run with a friend this weekend (though I will NOT be running the entire 5K, I think I might die). Experience is the combination of one's passions, desires, input from others, and spontaneity. However, it is just one part of the equation.
The second part of the equation is reflection. While it may seem obvious to some, reflection is an important step in the learning process. Reflection is complex, as it should be. Don't be discouraged, though, as reflection is necessary to discover how your experiences affect you. It is important to know HOW to reflect, before attempting it. Often, the best environment is a quiet place to think. Otherwise, consider listening to music at a low volume. Though, there are other ways we can reflect. Some people simply think, while others journal. There are those who write/blog (like me), vlog, etc. Find something that works best for you, and go at it. There are a lot of questions to ask oneself when one is reflecting. What mistakes were made during this experience, and how could you succeed the next time you try? Noticing mistakes is important, because we learn and grow from acknowledging our mistakes. Evaluating the favorite and least favorite parts is important in determining whether you would do something again. It is important, too, to consider how you grew as a result of this experience.
Two final components of reflection had the biggest impact on me. One of those is the idea of learning and transferring. This has to do with gaining skills and qualities that can be applied in many different scenarios. While you may not be perfect for certain experiences, your qualities and skills make you far better than you might think. This is inspirational to me because it shows me why I need to attempt new things and experience novel events/scenarios. Lastly, you should consider who you impact and how you can impact others. Making a positive impact on others is one of the best ways to contribute to the good of those around you. If you aren't making a positive impact on others, what are you doing?
ERL - experience + reflection = learning. Through gaining experience and reflecting on it, we learn and grow. This presentation really spoke to me, and showed incredible passion and dedication. To my friend (I know you plan to read this): you're amazing. Wherever life takes you, never forget that. Never forget the ERL equation, it will serve you well. You're an inspiration to those around you, and you're an incredibly valued friend. To those who read this blog, in general: take this equation to heart. Apply it in your life. Gain experience, reflect, and grow. Become a better you, and better those around you. You are an important person, and you have value in this life. Do what you can to make your life and the lives of those around you better, more livable, and more inspired.
Until next time,
Brandon
Upon taking the floor, she introduced the presentation as "The ERL Equation." At first, puzzled looks could be noted on the faces of some of our members. But as she explained it further, the looks of confusion turned into looks of curiosity. The ERL equation is symbolic, representing a figurative equation: experience + reflection = learning. This will be explored further below.
The first part of the equation, experience, is important to consider. Firstly, you have to think about your passions. Knowing what one is passionate about will open the flood gates of experience. It is important to seek out opportunities to explore or develop your passions. Consider what opportunities are available to you, and what you want to do, and pursue them. This is the best way to gain experience. Considering the input of others is also important. Close friends, especially, know you well and may have suggestions for opportunities you should explore. Lastly, we MUST try be spontaneous as a way to gain valuable experience. Especially for those of us who plan, spontaneity can be difficult. It is hard to ignore your comfort zone and step out to try something new, but it can be incredibly rewarding. In my case, after this presentation I decided to attempt a 5K run with a friend this weekend (though I will NOT be running the entire 5K, I think I might die). Experience is the combination of one's passions, desires, input from others, and spontaneity. However, it is just one part of the equation.
The second part of the equation is reflection. While it may seem obvious to some, reflection is an important step in the learning process. Reflection is complex, as it should be. Don't be discouraged, though, as reflection is necessary to discover how your experiences affect you. It is important to know HOW to reflect, before attempting it. Often, the best environment is a quiet place to think. Otherwise, consider listening to music at a low volume. Though, there are other ways we can reflect. Some people simply think, while others journal. There are those who write/blog (like me), vlog, etc. Find something that works best for you, and go at it. There are a lot of questions to ask oneself when one is reflecting. What mistakes were made during this experience, and how could you succeed the next time you try? Noticing mistakes is important, because we learn and grow from acknowledging our mistakes. Evaluating the favorite and least favorite parts is important in determining whether you would do something again. It is important, too, to consider how you grew as a result of this experience.
Two final components of reflection had the biggest impact on me. One of those is the idea of learning and transferring. This has to do with gaining skills and qualities that can be applied in many different scenarios. While you may not be perfect for certain experiences, your qualities and skills make you far better than you might think. This is inspirational to me because it shows me why I need to attempt new things and experience novel events/scenarios. Lastly, you should consider who you impact and how you can impact others. Making a positive impact on others is one of the best ways to contribute to the good of those around you. If you aren't making a positive impact on others, what are you doing?
ERL - experience + reflection = learning. Through gaining experience and reflecting on it, we learn and grow. This presentation really spoke to me, and showed incredible passion and dedication. To my friend (I know you plan to read this): you're amazing. Wherever life takes you, never forget that. Never forget the ERL equation, it will serve you well. You're an inspiration to those around you, and you're an incredibly valued friend. To those who read this blog, in general: take this equation to heart. Apply it in your life. Gain experience, reflect, and grow. Become a better you, and better those around you. You are an important person, and you have value in this life. Do what you can to make your life and the lives of those around you better, more livable, and more inspired.
Until next time,
Brandon
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