You know the feeling: wanting to give up, and knowing how to push beyond the obstacles you're facing.

My mind had already given up on me, but I saw my feet continue to move, one in front of the other. My breath became short and I struggled to remind myself "in through the nose, and out through the mouth." I watched as the clock reached six minutes, then seven, then eight. I could feel the weakness in my body and the shaking within my own skin; I continued to let the music keep my pace. 10 minutes hit and I could feel the breath in my body gain substance once more. Every step was an easier movement and I felt graceful rather than panicked.

Ten minutes may not seem like a lot for those who actually long distance run, but I've never been much of a runner. After working out for almost an hour I went on the treadmill just to get that last sprint in, I was so tired and my mind was telling me "no, no, no". However, I knew the feeling of hitting your second wind when you work out and it is more than just exhilarating. I wanted the feeling of being rejuvenated. The dictionary definition is "a person's ability to breathe freely during exercise, after having been out of breath." Being so close to the feeling of failure, only to get back up again, is something not only runners can experience.

Finding that second wind in a work out translates to how I push forward in all areas of my life. I look for my second wind in school, my work, and my relationships. I love the feeling of failure because it puts me in a place where I have nowhere to go but up. It's hard to push for though. When you're running it seems like the last effort you have to just get through ten minutes. You push and you push until you feel like you have nothing left, and then your brain shuts you down before your body has a chance to take over. Your mind gives you the "okay, you're done" or "you can't go any further" and you stop. All the while left completely blindsided by what you are capable of. Your body wasn't ready to give up, but your mind convinced it otherwise. The same happens in school, at work, with partners.

Stop waiting for your mind to tell you when you're done. Let yourself see what you're capable of. Search for the second wind not just in exercise, but in all aspects of your life. There are too many things getting in the way of the person you're suppose to be. Getting in the habit of letting the smallest of things get in front of our path is just like stopping when our brain says we're too tired. Stop waiting for the "I'm tired" and push for the "I'm ready to go again."