Competitor Group, Inc.

I Am Not Afraid.

by | Apr 06, 2011 |

This is my new necklace

Have you seen the April issue of Competitor? That’s me on the cover. If you look closely, you’ll see I’m wearing a necklace. The oval-shaped piece hanging from the chain is actually a thumbprint of Colt. I bought it from a jewelry designer named Tina Steinberg, whose work I love.

After I bought the thumbprint necklace from Tina we developed an email friendship. Recently she sent me another necklace with an inscription on it. On the front it reads, “I am not afraid.” And on the back, “I was born to do this.”

I love it! Tina could not have picked a better message for me. It’s the kind of thing I say to myself all the time, although never in exactly these words, until I got the necklace. I believe that life should be about living your passions—doing what you were born to do. But chasing your dreams is hard. No matter who you are or what your passion is, trying to do something as well as you can possibly do it is challenging, and with challenges comes fear.

As a runner, I deal with fear almost daily. To prevent fear from defeating me, I have to fight back against it in my mind. Reminding myself that I am doing what I was born to do—that, win or lose, embracing the challenge is still worthwhile—is one way I do that.

Before each big race I choose a power word that I think about during the hard parts of the race to stay strong and fight back against fear. It’s always a word that resonates with where I am in my mind at that time. The word I’ve chosen for the Boston Marathon is “free”. I want to run this race free of both expectations and limitations. I will be thinking about freedom along the way from Hopkinton to downtown Boston. And I will also be thinking this: “I am not afraid. I was born to do this.”

Okay, it’s time to get interactive! Tina Steinberg has graciously offered to send a free silicone bracelet with the same inscription to the first 25 readers of this blog who email her with a personal story that relates to this theme. We will pick out our favorite story to share right here. The author of that story will also receive a free necklace just like the one I have.

If you’re interested, send your story of any length to Tina at info@tinasteinberg.com. I’m looking forward to seeing what you have to say!

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  • Júlio Barroco

    You are a winner no matter the outcome, winning is an atitude. Greatings from a runner to another from Lisbon, Portugal :)

  • Cels21

    So fun and inspiring! I love your honesty. It helps remind me that even Olympic Athletes have to chase their dreams with faith and hard work and that success and accomplishment has to be earned. Thank you for sharing…I’ll be submitting mine!

  • Syndie

    What a beautiful post! Thank you so much for sharing :-) . Just received your book in the mail & am looking forward to diving in!

  • Kerrie Hilton

    Thanks for sharing, Kara :-) This really hits home with me…

  • S Club Mama

    Oh this is so wonderful, Kara. Tina has some great necklaces and designs!! Emailed her a bit ago. :)

  • http://redsoxwife.blogspot.com Ruth

    I LOVE that necklace!! and just got my Runners World with you on the cover too, you look amazing!! I had a baby in July and you are my inspiration to get back into my best running shape :) and colt is adorable too!

  • http://www.lifestastyadventures.com Therese

    That necklace is gorgeous, Kara! I can certainly relate to your fear of doing something you’re passionate about. I’m about to start my own business in July helping people to get started on the path of being healthy and fit and am terrified! But despite the terror, I’m doing it anyway because the thought of NOT doing it is much more frightening!

  • Telias

    You are a true inspiration Kara!

  • Angie

    Thank you for this great reminder. I just posted this quote on my FB page this morning. “The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.” -Sven Goran Eriksson
    I know you’ll run free and strong in Boston!

  • Hydee

    What a great post, Kara. Your insights and personal stories are always inspirational. Throughout this one I thought of a quote by Mark Twain, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” All the best in Boston! I’ll be cheering you on from Tillamook!

  • Kimberly

    I am a cancer survivor of 12 years. I was diagnosed with 4th stage uterine cancer one day before my 30th birthday. Chances of survival were pretty slim. I went through surgery and radiation. I completed only one round of chemo which almost did me in. I chose not to complete chemo and went the natural route against the orders of the doctors. I had a strong knowing that I would live and would do everything I could to make it a reality. After several trips in and out of the hospital with infections and other issues associated with cancer. I started to grow stronger with each day. I am now cancer free. My doctors tell me, “I don’t know what you are doing but what ever it is keep doing it. I am inspired to run because of I have my health and the many obstacles I have overcome. I have found joy and strength through running. My first marathon was in Salt Lake City where I vowed to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Well that didn’t turn out so well when I took a wrong turn and ended up running over 27 miles when I finally crossed the finish line and missing Boston my minutes. I signed up for my 2nd marathon. I was going to qualify this time! The day before the marathon I felt sick and very tired. I woke up the day of the marathon with a stomach virus. I thought I would scream! I ran anyway. I struggled but pushed with all I had under the circumstances. My sister who is also a runner ran with me the last 4 miles and pushed me to the finish line to qualify for Boston with just a few minutes to spare. Victory at last! I’m not the fastest runner but I have realized my strength and the power of the soul. Anything is possible if you believe!

  • http://wholesumfitness.com Shelly

    Very cool jewelry. And not a bad message by Kara, either :D May just provide some (as if you need it) inspiration to break the tape at a certain race in April. I’ll be pulling for you from the back of the pack–go Kara!

  • Kelly

    That is great news Kara. Funny thing is, I just picked up my new copy of the Competitor today. So of course I had to go check it out! I love how petite the necklace is. Ok, I have a pitch for you….as a new Mother you have to run a few of your runs with your son. Well, I am putting on a virtual marathon. Virtual because you can run anywhere in the world during the month of May. I am trying to get all moms out and running. Registration just opened and we are hopeful we have around 2,000 entrants. The best part is the prizes. We are giving away 2 running strollers (BOB Revolution SE and the Baby Jogger Performance stroller). Both are the top of the line running strollers. I am sure this will not be posted for all to see so hopefully you can check it out when you have a free moment: http://www.joggermommarathon.com
    Welcome back to the racing world.
    Kelly Morse
    Founder of
    Joggermom.com and Joggermom Marathon

  • Paulrevere

    Boston is the cradle of freedom.

  • Wendysouza21

    Dear Kara, I am very excited to read your new book. i have been inspired by you ever since i began running in 2008 to get in shape for my wedding. i had the pleasure of meeting you at the 2009 Nike Women’s marathon in San Fran after running the half marathon event. i was 5 months pregnant at the time with my son Gabe, now 13 months.
    I think you are awesome, and just wanted to say thank you.
    Wendy-

  • jessica

    Hi Kara! I am a recreational runner with a 7 month old little boy – my first :) . I just got the latest runner’s world and I was so happy to see your stomach on the cover! You look great! Good luck with Boston. I can’t wait to follow your progress. I ‘ran’ Boston last year at about 5.5months pregnant – my husband was at sea in Alaska during most of my pregnancy but had arranged to meet me there (prior to finding out we were having a baby) and join me for part of the run – I wasn’t going to miss that! He was so supportive during that sloooow waddle I did to the finish line that I just knew we could have a baby together. It was such a great experience for me. Anyway, thought I would share my mom Boston moment ;) . You will create an even better one in a few weeks – your baby can cheer for you at the finish!

  • http://www.mile-posts.blogspot.com Dorothy Beal

    Just entered!! Love this :)

    I ran Boston the same year you did and I’ll be back there again on April 18th running my 15th marathon, 5 months after giving birth to my 3rd baby! [his name happens to be Colton too!]

  • Shawna

    I love the necklace and I love the message! The jewelry is beautiful, and Kara is such an inspiration!!

  • mrhein

    I just sent my story in! I’m excited! I think this is such and excellent mantra! Just got my Runnersworld for this month! I’m excited to see you compete in Boston! :-)

  • http://profiles.google.com/moultgard Kristen Moulton

    I love that message and hope you’re able to run free.

  • Rachel

    Kara, LOVE the necklace what a great idea. Please know we are all cheering for you, I only wish I could be in Boston to cheer you on.
    BTW – You look fabulous on the cover of RW and Competitor – just picked up my copy yesterday.

  • http://roserunner.blogspot.com RoseRunner

    my “power” word — or more accurately for me “race” word — is probably something like “fun” or “enjoy”. While I do have a competitive spark, I am afraid of making running something intimidating and dreadful, so when I race I try to remind myself how lucky I am to have legs that will carry me so far and to just have a GOOD TIME!

    Of course, getting a kick-ass time is a lot of what makes for an enjoyable time.

    Looking forward to keeping track of you at Boston and reading more of your written thoughts!

  • http://profiles.google.com/wingnut Dana Staples

    Good luck on Monday! I’m very excited to follow your race online, I can’t even imagine what it must be like for you. I’ve been a runner for a long time, but I’ve never followed any of the pros until you and Adam Hall ran Boston so well a couple years back. You inspire me every time I run. Thank you so much for that.

  • http://wilson-family-adventure.blogspot.com/ Wilson Family Adventure

    I’m going to have to (not so subtly) suggest the thumbprint necklace as a Mother’s Day gift from my husband. Having our son’s thumbprint with me always would be a wonderful gift. Thanks for sharing.

  • kybo27

    I sent my story. Thanks for posting. Thank you for running. Thank you for having a baby. Thanks for being real!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/cklingensmith Christopher Klingensmith

    I’m not a runner primarily because I’ve never been able to get my breathing right, but I understand that I can make my body obey my conscious thought and perform longer than my conscious mind would imagine possible. As such, I’ve always understood that feats of endurance were more about how a person thinks and what they choose to believe. After all, everyone knows it’s easier to stop in mid-stride than to take the next one.

    Training notwithstanding, I’ve often wondered what athletes think about in order to push and exceed the bounds of their physical limitations while moving against the clock to beat their personal best.

    Thank you for having the personal freedom to expose your fear and your process.

    The simplicity, magnitude and perceptive nature of your words, “freedom from both expectations and limitations,” has removed a blind-spot in my thought process that I didn’t know existed to reveal an entire universe of thought to delve into.