You know that feeling of joy and excitement inside you when you have been around someone super happy and the feeling is so contagious you just have to tell someone? That is how I feel right now, even the morning after last night’s race.
My daughter Natalie just started her first year of running cross country, and her journey is teaching me so much about work ethic & the power of good thinking. She’s fast and has great endurance, and while that surprised us all, what really stands out is how she’s mastering her mental game.
Natalie’s race last night at the beautiful Redwood Falls Golf Course (think massive shady trees, river valley views, soft green grass all around and perfect fall weather) was incredible. She excitedly shared the details with her grandma over the phone on the drive home, and I couldn’t help but feel proud and inspired. She said, “Grandma, I beat my PR (personal record) by over 35 seconds! My head game is so strong now. I wake up excited for race day and stay calm throughout the day.”
As she explained her race, I realized how much our mental focus really does shape our outcomes. Natalie shared how, during the second mile—when the hills got steeper and race got tougher—her brain tried to convince her it was okay to slow down. But instead of giving in, she pushed through, telling herself, “You can’t trick me, brain. I’m running my best today.” And she held pace.
Her experience got me thinking—how often do we let discomfort or doubt slow us down in life? Whether it’s pursuing health goals, managing time & stress, or making decisions for our families, we often face that voice in our head saying, “This is hard – why even try?” But what if we decided to press on? What if we said, “I’ve got this!” like Natalie did?
We may not all be running races, but life itself is like one. It’s full of challenges, long stretches where things feel tough, and moments where we feel like giving up. But if we strengthen our mind and stay focused on our goals, just like Natalie showed me on that racecourse, I know we can achieve more than we realize!
So as you head into this lovely fall weekend, think about your “race.” Where are the moments you might feel like slowing down or even giving up? How can you shift your mindset and push through? If you need someone to talk to please know I love listening.
Let’s run this race of life with joy and focus—and cheer each other on, just like Natalie does for her teammates at the finish line.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2
Warmly,
Leah Matzke
A bowl of Plain Greek Yogurt topped with frozen blueberries & raspberries made from our raw milk. Packed with flavor and nourishment, this simple breakfast tastes good and is something Natalie makes every morning – yum! We make several gallons of a yogurt a week, if you would like to give it a try we have an easy recipe on our website here.
