What It Means to Set a Personal Best

Once upon a time I ran 2 full-marathons in 15 days. I must confess that completing 42km on foot never crossed my mind as possible as I always thought that the human body has its limits. However, it took a challenge and then a change in my perception that got me on track in completing the distance.

It was a feat I overcame with much hardship through hours of training, discipline and determination. It was everything but easy. Through it all, I had faced my share of critics who did not think I was able to complete the distance and bade me ill. Even my doctor told me that I could not do it and to train for a year; time I do not have. Honestly, there were times I even doubt my own abilities. Even so, I persevered and refused to allow those negative words to get in the way of my goal and that is to complete a marathon.

And deep down, I wanted more. Completing 1 marathon would fulfill the goal I had set out to do but surprisingly many people seemed to have done it. However completing 2 in 15 days would be a much more significant accomplishment and something I believe I can do.

The day came and went and I succeeded. In the words of the Adidas advertisement, I had achieved my impossible.

Now, that the race has been won, I find myself wanting to aim for a higher goal. To achieve a personal best and breaking the past record. Not because I am greedy for fame, recognition or all that but because deep down I believe that I can do better.

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So as you my pupils study for your exams, ask yourself whether you had set your goals and how far you think you are from achieving them. As the day grows nearer to the exams, you should be disciplined in your preparation and getting ready to meet the exams head on. You should be striving to get better scores than the ones you got from the last exam instead of merely aiming for a pass. It won't be an easy path, that I assure you. But no worthwhile victories are ever easy. Do your best and your critics will be silenced forever. And most importantly, you'll feel so much better because deep down you know that you have achieved.

Life is too short to think small.

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And so, I'll be competing in 3 more marathons in the last 3 months of the year, back to back. With the 2nd and last marathon within 14 days of each other. I do not wish to elaborate more except to say that when you have a goal, you have to go all out to achieve them. Never let regrets take the place of your dreams.

I hope, I'll report my success to you, my visitors, by year's end. The journey to my marathon goal is not yet over.

The best is yet to be.