What the Two Oceans Marathon taught me on Freedom day.

I learned something really valuable during the Two Oceans 56km Ultra Marathon race. There was a point in the race where we were just over halfway done when I started to fade. I didn’t realize it at first but I had lost all my energy and had begun to tire. I was slowing down but in my mind, I validated it by thinking that everyone else was speeding up and that I was ok. I wasn’t ok, I wasn’t going to make it. There was still a very long way to go.

She came out of the blue and shouted my name as she passed me. How did she know my name? Oh yes, it was printed on the number on my T-shirt. She said out loud: Denver! You are probably wondering right now, what did you get yourself into and regret being here. I half smiled, half laughed and tried to respond. All that came out was a mumble and a poor attempt at a giggle. The lady’s words made me think, however. Do I regret being here? NO! Did I get myself into something bad that I can’t handle? NO!!!! I wanted to be here. I wanted to prove that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. I wanted to prove that there is always hope.

I am enough.

All I need is all I have.

I am strong, I am blessed, and I can do anything!

I started running again, and better. I felt lighter. I had new power and was going faster than before. I kept this momentum until the finish line, overtaking many runners along the way.

It was already a week or so after the race and I was still intrigued with the power of the mind and how changing my mindset reinvigorated me from a state of hopelessness to a state of competing as an athlete.

Then I realized something really powerful.

When I was on the athletics team at school, I used to run 800 and 1500 km. I always used to win in the inter-house but always finished very last in the inter-school. I could never understand it and for many years I came up with many different reasons to justify it but it still baffled me. I blamed my teachers (coaches), I blamed the grass surface, and even my running shoes. I never looked at myself… Then it hit me like a light bulb... I lost because I didn’t believe in the first place that I could win. I lost those races before it even began. I never stood a chance with that mindset and looking back I had the capability to beat all the other runners. If only I believed.

Today on freedom day, I free my mind and realize the power of being positive.