Most of us have some fears in our lives. We can choose to live with it or decide to conquer our fear by facing it.
What did I fear while growing up?
Physics. I remember vividly when I was in grade 9th, I was afraid of physics. I did okay on other subjects but I sucked at physics. The fear kept growing until I decided to face it. There used to be a physics book by Manjeet Singh which I decided to read again and again. After 3rd read, all of a sudden, my fear turned into love. I had the Buddha moment when I understood why a small needle sinks but a big ship floats. Why a light weight knife cuts sharply but a blunt heavy knife doesn’t. And there were so many real life examples that just started making sense. I wasn’t afraid of physics anymore!
What am I afraid of right now?
Heartbreaker Hill. As I prepare for Boston marathon on April 18th, 2022, I can’t stop thinking about this hill starting at around mile 20. This is where a lot of runners aren’t able to keep up and end up give up their dreams of finishing this race. At this far into the race, runners are already out of the juice and then this hill comes up. I am afraid of this hill, I am afraid of getting cramps trying to get through this hill, I am afraid of giving up and letting all my friends down. Yes, I accept that I am afraid of it because acceptance is the first step towards “fixing” your fear.
What am I doing about it?
I am running it. I ended the last day of 2021 running the Heartbreaker Hill! It was 6 mile loop starting and ending at Newton center going through the hill twice. Although running this hill at zeroth mile is so much different than running it in the twentieth mile but the moment I started my run on Commonwealth Avenue, I could feel myself being exactly here on April 18th. I could hear myself panting, tired, exhausted but continuing to push through. It was a great confidence booster but I got to do it a few more times before the big day.
How can you help?
Be there please. If you are planning to support me by physically being on the marathon route, I would love for one of you to be there right at the Heartbreak Hill. I would love to see a familiar face to cheer me up when my legs are super tired. If you plan to be there, please do let me know. Oh and training for the marathon is already tough, so if you can help me meet my fundraiser goal, so I can just focus on the practice without worrying about raising money, I will truly appreciate it. Here is the fundraising link.
What’s your fear?
Did you have a fear? How did you overcome it? Would love to hear from you.
