I have hit the 50% mark on my consumer debts. Yes, I have paid off over 50% of my debts. It’s more of a physiological thing then anything else. I am at the halfway point. Like a marathoner, it’s like getting my second wind.
But, I know up ahead is Heartbreak Hill. In the Boston marathon, there are four hills in succession right after mile 16 and going to mile 21. The last one is called Heartbreak Hill. Many a marathoner has “hit the wall” on Heartbreak Hill and dropped out of the race. At this point, everything is telling you to quit (your body, your mind),, but those crowds are egging you one. “Come on!!!! Only 5 more miles!!!” “One foot in front of the other!!!”
I know this is coming up. Somewhere between now and being debt free, there will be these hills that will test my resolve to the core. After Heartbreak Hill, until the finish, are just nasty little hills. You have used everything you got just to make it pace Heartbreak Hill and now you have these small nasty little hills where every step is an effort. At this point, it is the mind dragging the broken down body to the finish line.
And what do you get when it’s done? A medal. A little bronze medal for finishing. Was it worth it? You bet.
And that’s how I see my journey. I’m at the halfway point running through Wellesley College. Everyone is screaming and the real work is just about to begin.
The first half was mostly pacing my self as people pass me and get out of debt faster. But now I have my pace and feeling pretty good at the half way mark, knowing that soon it will be a battle of pure will.
And when I cross the finish line, what will I get? A little piece of paper generated from a computer in a billing department saying “PAID IN FULL”. And will it be worth it? You bet.
But until then, keep the pace, work the plan, and keep the focus.
Mile 13.1 Passed
April 17th, 2008 at 02:10 pm
April 17th, 2008 at 04:07 pm 1208444839
April 17th, 2008 at 04:16 pm 1208445383
April 17th, 2008 at 04:30 pm 1208446226
April 17th, 2008 at 06:45 pm 1208454329
April 18th, 2008 at 12:19 am 1208474353
April 18th, 2008 at 03:33 am 1208485999
April 18th, 2008 at 06:25 am 1208496326
Congratulations!