"Do something that scares you every day."   That advice from Eleanor Roosevelt was not fresh in my mind when I signed up, but it certainly came into view as the time neared. 

Jane, a baby boomer riding the final wave of our generational tide, is about to turn 50.  We had run a half marathon in Alaska when I turned 60 and wanted to find something special for her midlife celebration.  One day, it popped up on the screen:  the Center of the Nation Series (five marathons in five states in five days). Jane and I share a half-marathons-in-half-the-states goal, and three of the five would be new for me.  Half marathons were an option.  No time limit.  Walkers welcome.  Award for last place.  In Jane's back yard.  Surely this was meant to be.

I am writing the day before leaving for our adventure.   Much to my surprise, I no longer feel scared.  Maybe a little, but not a lot.  A lively conversation has been bubbling up in our Center of the Nation Facebook group.  More than 200 people are coming from all over the country and abroad to share this remarkable experience.  They are people of all ages, many over 50.  People of all abilities, from competitive runners to walkers, one who is wearing an orthopedic boot.  People who love new experiences.  People who have lots to share.  People who care for others.  People who know how to laugh.  These are, no doubt, crazy people but they are amazing crazy people. I can hardly wait to meet them.

While I was scared, I focused on myself.  I have never run such long distances without two or three weeks in between.  The MRI showed issues in my lumbar spine.  An birthday passed and I asked how long to keep pushing before backing off.

Once the viewfinder shifted toward my companions, however, the fear faded.  I am not the only one with a bad MRI.  I am not the only one over 65.  I am not the only one trying back-to-back runs for the first time.  I am not the only one who will push the limits of slow.  I am part of a larger adventure in which we embrace the fear and do it anyway.

Jane and I aim for three half marathons in five states in five days.  Against the backdrop of 5-5-5 marathoners, our goal appears modest and success a realistic possibility.  We are not alone.  We have a new community of amazing crazy friends to keep us going.  We are doing one thing every other day that scares us, and that has to be a good thing!

***

How has community helped you overcome reluctance?  Who are the role models you lean on when fear threatens to shut you down?