Success and Failure

I stole this title from a friends blog post I read a while back.  While physically hes much fitter than I we still use the titled terms in similar ways.  These two things are crucial to my (as is true for anyone) development as a person.  When I started to succeed at most of the things I was trying I realized something....  I just wasn't doing things that were hard enough.  Failure is part of life.  This is foreign to recent generations...  Peoples parents take care of them till their 30...  They get a trophy no matter what place the come it... Most people will not push themselves if they are always a winner.  But there are a few who will.  I few who watching someone finish before them just wont be enough.  A few who aren't satisfied till they have surpassed a goal they have set themselves.  People say they cant or Ill try will always fall behind.  I learned at a young age while roofing what Yoda said best.  "Do. or do not... There is no try" My good friend George taught me that as it applies to the real world.  A lesson ill never forget and think about nearly every day.  I guess my rambling brings me to my recent failures.  My running has not been up to par.  One week 18 miles the next 6...   Work travel has prevented it.  but this is just an excuse.   Why is it human nature to make excuses?  It hasn't prevented it, it has made it harder.  If I'm not up for the challenge I should just give up.  BUT, I'm not ready to give up.  I want to run.  I may not have gotten all the runs I planned in but some have been there.  I did a BUNCH of vertical feet skinning on my skis last weekend and plan on doing more this weekend.  I am also planning on a LONG run.  over 10 miles.  I don't care how long it takes, Sunday I will go over 10 miles.  I am signing up for 5 races here locally between 5 and 15 miles and one race back in Birdsboro for when I travel home in July.  should I do the 15K or the 30K?  I know at that altitude I could finish well in the 15K.  Its well within my ability I'm guessing id be in the 1:45 - 2 hour range.  But I wont win and really wont challenge myself.  Why not DO the 30K.  I know I can.  Much more of a challenge...  why am I doubting myself here?  I am not afraid to fail not because its not a possibility, it's always a possibility,  that's what makes it fun.  I am not afraid to fail because I know I wont!