Can the bite ever be too big ?

Can the Bite Ever Be Too Big?

I got a call recently from a friend who is deeply involved in the marathon world. She offered me a spot in the Sydney Marathon. What a surprise. What an opportunity. I could already feel the excitement building. It sounded like such a fun challenge, and before she even finished the sentence, I heard myself say, “Hell yes!”

Her reaction caught me off guard. She paused for a second and asked, “Don’t you want to think about it first? Maybe check with someone?” I was confused. That is not how I operate. I am a ‘yes’ person through and through. My default is to leap first and work out the details later. I have always believed I will rarely regret the things I do, but I will almost always regret the things I say no to without good reason.

But now, a week later, the glow of that spontaneous “yes” is starting to fade a little. The reality is setting in. At the time, I had imagined cheering crowds, the weight of a shiny finisher’s medal around my neck, and the pride of joining the marathon club. That’s what I pictured. What I did not picture was the early morning runs when it is still dark and cold. I did not picture the long, quiet kilometres where your mouth goes dry and the closest water tap feels like it is on the other side of the country. I definitely did not picture the blisters, the sore hips, and the mental hurdles that come with training for something this big.

But I am not backing out. Not at all. In fact, what I have realised is that this is just a new kind of challenge. I simply need to reframe how I see it. If I am going to be on my feet for hours each week running, then I might as well use that time for something more than just exercise. I have started thinking of those hours as personal development time. I pop in my headphones, and suddenly I am not just running. I am listening to an audiobook I have been meaning to finish. I am learning something new. I am giving myself the space to think clearly. I am doing two things at once—moving my body and feeding my mind.

This small shift in thinking has made a big difference. My runs no longer feel like an obstacle in my week. They feel like a chance to escape, to learn, and to grow. It is me-time, just in a different format than I am used to.

Another thing that has become crystal clear is how essential it is to have a plan. I cannot just wake up every morning and hope to feel good about running. Some days I feel strong and energetic. Other days it feels like I am dragging myself out the door. That is where a clear structure comes in. I have started mapping out my week. Not just the long runs but the sprint sessions, the rest days, and the recovery walks. Each run has a purpose. Every day builds on the last. A little bit more distance here. A little more intensity there. Week by week, I can see myself moving toward something bigger.

These tiny improvements add up. It is the same principle I talk about with clients. Progress does not always feel dramatic. Sometimes it feels like nothing is changing, but then one day you notice your body doing something it could not do a few months earlier. That is the magic of consistency.

So back to the question: can the bite ever be too big? I do not think so. Saying yes to something beyond your current capacity is not reckless. It is brave. It is an invitation to grow. The challenge lies not in the size of the bite but in your willingness to chew. That is where the commitment really matters. It is about showing up, even on the days when it feels hard. Especially on those days.

There is something powerful in doing what you said you would do, long after the feeling you had when you said it has passed. That is what creates trust in yourself. That is what creates lasting change.

So no, I do not regret saying yes. I just needed to stretch a little further than I expected. And with a plan, a purpose, and a whole lot of patience, I know I will be ready when that start line comes into view.