Training for a marathon is hard. Finishing a marathon is hard. Training hard for a marathon and not finishing may be even harder.

I often tell people that the races that don’t go well are the ones that make us stronger. You know the races – the ones where our goals and our bodies aren’t on the same page. Where we run out of gas and every step feels like it might be our last. The races where the time on the clock far exceeds our effort but we finish despite wanting to stop and give up … those are victories. They are also lessons that will help us in many races to come.

But sometimes we can’t keep going. Admittedly, I’ve never started a race I didn’t finish, but I know four friends who had to DNF (did not finish) a goal marathon last weekend in several different cities. The emotion and heartbreak that goes into making that kind of decision is inconsolable, but there is a difference between pushing/not giving up and listening to your body. In the instances when you’re facing severe pain due to an injury, the stronger thing to do is to not cross the finish line.

With those friends in mind who didn’t get to claim their medal, and to everyone who has experienced heartbreak that inevitably comes with enough time battling the marathon distance {all of us}, I wanted to share the below song lyrics to remind you to keep your chin up and your dreams bright. I realize they are from a Cher song and you’re asking, really? Cher? But just trust me. I sometimes belt this song out loud when driving alone in my car and it always leaves me inspired. One race never defines us. How we react in tough circumstances does. Remember that there is always a better mile ahead and always a dream that you can and will fulfill when the time is right.

You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me

Feeling broken
Barely holding on
But there’s just something so strong
Somewhere inside me
And I am down but I’ll get up again
Don’t count me out just yet

I’ve been brought down to my knees
And I’ve been pushed way past the point of breaking
But I can take it
I’ll be back
Back on my feet
This is far from over
You haven’t seen the last of me
You haven’t seen the last of me

They can say that
I won’t stay around
But I’m gonna stand my ground
You’re not gonna stop me
You don’t know me
You don’t know who I am
Don’t count me out so fast

I’ve been brought down to my knees
And I’ve been pushed way past the point of breaking
But I can take it
I’ll be back
Back on my feet
This is far from over
You haven’t seen the last of me

There will be no fade out
This is not the end
I’m down now
But I’ll be standing tall again
Times are hard but
I was built tough
I’m gonna show you all what I’m made of

I’ve been brought down to my knees
And I’ve been pushed way past the point of breaking
But I can take it
I’ll be back
Back on my feet
This is far from over
I am far from over
You haven’t seen the last of me

No no
I’m not going nowhere
I’m staying right here
Oh no
You won’t see me begging
I’m not taking my bow
Can’t stop me
It’s not the end
You haven’t seen the last of me
Oh no
You haven’t seen the last of me
You haven’t seen the last of me

Have you ever had to pull out of a race before you crossed the finish line? If so, do you have any advice for others experiencing those emotions? If not, what is the hardest race you’ve ever pushed through?