I have just finished a morning run with the dog. Something I don’t entirely enjoy, but something I’ve always wanted to get in to. I often fantasize about some day running a marathon – yes, I’m going from 0 to 100 real quick. In other words, running and I have a love-hate relationship. For one thing, I hate it. Living in New England, my weak lungs (having bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia all my life) don’t do well huffing and puffing in the chilly air. So, tops, I have four to five months of good running weather. Second, I love it. If I can get into the right head space and push myself, I feel that runners high, I feel my body saying thank you, and I feel my heart pumping with delight.
On most days, I find that I need to push myself to get my sneakers on and stop making excuses. Easier said than done. What is the best way to motive yourself? How do you change your mindset? How can we change our minds to say ‘YES I CAN’? The excuses I come up with may not have anything to do with me. Meaning, I could convince myself that I need to vacuum the house – for the family (and my own OCD, the dog hair kills me!). I could convince myself that I need to pick up the house – for the family (and my own OCD). I could also convince myself that I don’t have the time (even with two hours to spare) – ahh yes, the good old no time excuse.
So the weather has changed and the sun is finally shining and the temperatures are slowly rising. I have found that I need consistency. So, I run the same path each time and see if I can push myself a little further. I need to celebrate that accomplishment, no matter how big or small, as much as I can. Telling myself “you did it, great job, you reached your goal!” Big or small goals, it’s important to be true to yourself. I know that my goals should be small, it gives me more room to achieve them. Like my next run, I have set the bar real low. Why you ask? Because – I see you big hill and you’re going to kill me!
While I muster the energy to conquer this next run, down my protein packed smoothie to ensure I survive through it, stop telling myself I need to vacuum or shower or clean, and put on those damn shoes – I remind myself I’m doing this for ME.
