Define Determination

Determination:
noun
1. firmness of purpose: will, or intention full of ambition and determination

With that in mind.....
Would I let the fact that I had 30ppl coming to my house on Easter Sunday deter me from my goal? Would I let the fact that I didn't have my usual "support team" (Caroline, Sara and Bruce) home on Saturday morning hold me back from my long run? Well, that was a question I didn't have the answer to until Saturday morning.
This Saturday morning, when Bruce got up @ 4am to do is last Sat. testing shift @ DHL. He left the house @ 5am. I dragged myself out of bed, dreading the 1:15 long run I was supposed to do with no company (except for Cate in the baby jogger). I didn't even make my usual oatmeal and coffee. I had whole wheat toast and coffee. I still was going through the motions, not really taking my morning run seriously. Not thinking that I was going to be able to run this 1:15 with the baby jogger. Hoping for a way out. Wondering when Cate was going to wake up? Hoping she'd sleep late, and I wouldn't have enough time to run and get ready for the Easter Parade.
Just at that moment, I hear her on the monitor. Her morning gurgles..... It was 5:50am. Cate was ready to get up- that meant I needed to run.
We got ready. I dressed Cate. Dressed myself. Strapped on my heart rate monitor and watch. Grabbed water. Secured her in her baby jogger. Turned on my Ipod and off we went. I warmed up by walking fast up the hill to the trail parking lot, and then off we went. The entire time I was thinking I was going to quit. I just didn't want to do this, and I was just looking for an excuse to turn back. But, I couldn't find one. Before I knew it I was at the Y. I saw a bunch of people from the Y. Some I've biked with. Some run in a group I run with (the fast ones). I stopped, took off my long sleeved shirt, tied it around my waist and kept going. It was seeing them that helped me keep going. I was almost halfway there. I couldn't quit now- it was almost over and soon enough I'd be patting myself on the back.
Before I knew it, my time was over. I DID IT. Finally, I got over that hurdle of running with the baby jogger on a long run ALONE. It really wasn't that bad.

I know now I have it in me to achieve whatever I want. You just have to WANT IT. I guess that's what DETERMINATION is to me.