Last month I joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, an international program of amateur athletes who run, walk, or cycle to provide research funds aimed at the treatment and cure of blood related cancers.  I submitted my application, committed to raise $2400, met with my coaches, started a rather intense training schedule, and participated in my first group training run last weekend.  It still sounds crazy to hear myself say it, but I’m going to run a marathon!

Exercise has never been easy for me.  I’m a couch potato by nature, preferring time with a good book over getting hot and sweaty any day.  So, despite last year’s successful training and running three 5K races, it was easy to slip back into a more sedentary lifestyle over the winter months.   I knew it would take an even bigger goal to motivate me to lace up my shoes and get back out there this year.

Cause:  Check. My Dad was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma a little over two years ago, and thankfully, is now in remission.  So raising monies to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives is definitely a cause I can connect with. 

Challenge:  Check.  Running a marathon is definitely the biggest challenge I’ve ever attempted.  Starting a coaching ministry, developing a website, running a 5K, climbing a rock wall, and creating the Coaching Lasting Lifestyle Change DVD training pale in comparison!  Besides, what is running a marathon compared with the experience of fighting cancer? 

Deadline:  Check.  Since Dad's career was in the service, I'll be running the Marine Corps Marathon on October 31. Each day is one day closer to that race—that thought alone motivates me to move!

Plan:  Check. Running 26.2 miles and making it to the finish line is daunting for someone who has been running for less than a year, but it isn’t impossible with a good training plan.  My coach provided a running schedule that gradually increases the distance each week.  I’ve researched shoes, stride, nutrition, hydration, and other marathon training tips to ensure that I remain injury free.  And I’m training my mind by memorizing scripture passages that use a running metaphor.

Support:  Check. The four-mile group training run seemed to fly by last week as I conversed with Jenna, one of my team mates.  I’ll be blogging my training and running experience (a commitment in itself), and would love to hear your comments and stories as well.  (If you’d like to support my effort financially, you can sponsor my race by donating online). 

What about you?  Is there something you want to do, but for various reasons haven’t been able to achieve it?  Consider setting a crazy goal this year that is bigger than you!  Find a cause you can connect with.  Make it challenging.  Give yourself a deadline.  Create a plan.  And enlist lots of support.

I have a poster hanging at my desk of a woman running a race and the words “You can do it!”  Philippians 4:13 adds to that message by reminding us of the power behind our success:  “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.”  He is bigger than your biggest goal.  With Him, you can do it!

Coaching Questions:

Take a moment to pause, reflect, and embrace what you have learned about achieving big goals.

1.  What area in your life needs to change, but you just lack motivation?

2.  Think of five big goals (nothing is too crazy!) that you could pursue in that area.  

3.  Which one tugs at your heart the most?  Why?  Write it down, expanding it to include a cause, challenge, deadline, plan and support.

4.  How does the promise in Philippians 4:13 change your thinking about your goal?