Bitchin' Broads - Carole Wagner-Grauer

According to Carole, the process of putting herself through these challenges is beneficial to her life overall. Those benefits justify all the added physical, mental and emotional effort required. "I feel great after a good training session and that flows into my work and personal life as well," Carole says. "It is a very good and energizing way of life for me. I feel very successful in my physical life and it helps me to feel better in all areas of my life." I can certainly see how a feeling of physical mastery could inspire a person to feel great about herself all-around. When you feel physically strong and accomplished, it follows that you possess a greater measure of confidence that you have what it takes to reach your goals.

But wait - there's more..."The benefits are many," declares Carole. "I feel that I am accomplishing something other than my successful career and that is important because I am not just what I do, I am who I am as well." I always appreciate hearing from other people that it is important to be more than a career! My inner life is the most important aspect of myself. This belief reminds me of a credo I heard many years ago, and try to remember every day myself: "I am a human being, not a human doing ."

It must be a challenge in and of itself to fit such a major "project" into an already busy existence. Adding such a huge ice cube into the cup that is your life, I wonder what spills over the rim? Carole explains there are things she is willing to sacrifice as long as it is in the name of making progress toward her goal. For instance, her intense regimen means she is often very tired on the day of her training walks, which last from Spring through Fall. Her exhaustion can take a toll on her social life; consequently she is often too tired to go out with her husband, Bob. Speaking of Bob, he is a steadfast supporter of Carole's rigorous training schedule, and obviously her biggest fan.

Despite the hard work and sacrifice, Carole is willing to take on the load. The work ethic and dedication necessary to accomplish such a goal staggers the imagination! Carole says, "I have a goal which is good to strive for and I intend on reaching that goal (26.2 miles or whatever it might be) and I work toward it very diligently. I have been told I am a very focused person and I also have tunnel vision - I see my goal, envision it and go for it! I am driven mentally and emotionally and physically as well."

There must be things we can learn about ourselves through the process of taking on incredible challenges. Carole relates, "What I have learned is that I am a little "anal" about my physical goals as well as other areas of my life. I set my sights on something and go for it with gusto in all areas of my life. I can do most anything I decide to do (within reason). I like who I am and feel better about myself knowing that I have accomplished these kinds of things." Those sound like very satisfying revelations to me!

Carole participated in the Chicago Marathon on October 7, 2007. The event was rife with both catastrophe and general problems. One runner actually died, and dozens were hospitalized due, in part, to a humid 90 degree day coupled with a lack of water available to the participants. The marathon was canceled mid-race for the safety of the remaining participants. Carole ran until the race was halted in her 18th mile. Although Carole did as much of the race as she could, she was very disappointed at not having the opportunity to run a complete race. A case of "raceus interruptus?" I heard her vow that she will be starting to train for "the next one"...whatever that may be!

I wondered if, at the conclusion of a complete race, there is an emotional letdown involved. After months of training, the event finally takes place...It seems one would feel an emptiness at the event being over. However, Carole assures me, "I am a on total high after an event and even though the goal has been attained, I am not at all let down that it is over. I look forward to the next challenge. I always like to have something on the horizon as I finish one goal to go onto the next one." I guess I need to think even more "big picture," looking for the continuous stream of big challenges - not just one...

Carole likens life to a marathon. She believes that we prepare - or train - for all the important things in life every day. The efforts we put into our work, personal goals or relationships all correspond directly to the amount of success and satisfaction we enjoy in those. "Train, train train, live, live, live and see how well you do in the marathon and in life as well." Wise words from a very inspiring lady.

Carole has always been an inspiration to me as a competent, successful businesswoman, wonderous baker and warm, dear aunt. Those qualities would be enough to make most people rest on their laurels, content that they were 'good enough' but not Carole! She strives toward - and succeeds at - being so much more. Having had the opportunity to "research" her, my admiration for her has gone over the moon! I deeply admire her ambition to attain her personal best, and live her best life.

Most of my life I have wanted to be a writer...A writer is what I see when I look into my inner mirror. I think my aspiration to be a writer is equivalent to Carole's aspiration to run a marathon. A lot of people - myself included - look at her goal and say, "I couldn't do that, and furthermore, I have no desire to do that!" I look at writing, however, and think, "Yes, it is a challenge, but I believe I can do it, and I want to with all my heart!" Since I started blogging, I feel I have become a writer, because I'm using the experience to develop a writer's mindset and discipline. I feel that as long as I am writing - or at the very least actively thinking about writing - every day, that I have taken the first steps toward that goal.

I have learned so much from Carole about success and challenge through the experience of writing about her! I hope I've done justice to my first Bitchin' Broad who actually knows where I live! I've compiled a list of additional things I've learned from Dear Aunt Carole which will surely help me along my path...

I've learned that true success comes from the effort. You can't finish the race if you never start, and you can't start without the courage to try.

I've learned that, even though my dream isn't to run a marathon, I do have an ultimate challenge, and I simply need to set my mind to tackling it, one step at a time.

I've learned that it's alright to let some things fall by the wayside while I pursue my goal. As hard as it is to admit, I can't - and shouldn't try to - do it all!

I've learned that although there are things I'll give up, there is even more that I will gain.

I've learned that the strength I'll gain from the pursuit of my goal will enhance other aspects of my life.

I've learned that I needn't be ashamed of wanting to be more, and to strive for that is the only way I'll ever feel I'm leading a complete life. Doing what comes easily and naturally is fine, but it's not extraordinary.

I've learned that I want to feel extraordinary, like Carole.