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Home > Mile 13.1 Passed

Mile 13.1 Passed

April 17th, 2008 at 02:10 pm

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.

7 Responses to “Mile 13.1 Passed”

  1. Petunia Says:
    1208444839

    Good for you Merch! Your perseverance and determination will help you win this race!

  2. ceejay74 Says:
    1208445383

    Nice metaphor, Merch! I see a lot of correlation between our respective quests, so it's very inspiring to hear about your progress. I love the part about pacing yourself, because sometimes I want to cut out all fun and just throw that extra money at the debt. But I know in the past that's just made me want to give up, so I've got to maintain a pleasant life while I chip away at the debt. Hopefully soon I'll be able to live pleasantly AND see the debt go away a lot faster, but I'm still in the first half of the race.

  3. sagegirl Says:
    1208446226

    Congrats on the half-way point Merch. Man that has to feel good for you!! Don't forget to stop occasionally for water and protein bars Smile

  4. Broken Arrow Says:
    1208454329

    You motivatin' me today!

  5. Maismom Says:
    1208474353

    Great achievement! Good for you!

  6. scfr Says:
    1208485999

    When you cross the finish line, you will hear a chorus of Saving Advice members screaming their heads off for you. Go Merch, Go Merch, Go Merch!

  7. baselle Says:
    1208496326

    Nice metaphor. My second wind started when I paid all my student loans. My Heartbreak Hill came when my 18 year old cat got sick, DH's car needed repairs and I had a medical issue. Things happen. Even if you stop or go backward you have to take a deep breath and move forward.

    Congratulations!

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