Yesterday while I was watching The Biggest Loser - Where Are They Now episode, Bob said something that really hit home. He was talking about running a 5k, and he said it's not about "competing" it's about "completing." What a thought?! So many times we consider participating in something, and think if we can't compete with others, is it really worth it? Sure it is! It's not about competing with others, it's about competing with SELF.
I think back to just a mere two and one half weeks ago, and the fact that completing a two mile run was more than I could imagine. Now, even with the onset of my annual winter cold, I successfully finished my three mile run. Sure, I didn't run the entire distance, but I was able to finish one of the three miles in 12 minutes - a HUGE accomplishment to date! Not only that, I finished the entire three miles - not willingly, but with great determination - knowing that it's just a part of the journey. I can't get to the end without completing these increments - one-by-one - and moving on to the next.
Today I'm determined to finish the 20 minute Farltek Session - and do it the right way (unlike last week, when I ran 1 minute and jogged/walked 4 minutes). My goal for the day is to remember that it's about COMPLETION...nothing more, nothing less!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Like it or not...
No motivation. Today was one where I've felt the worst yet since this journey began. The weather is colder, snow is flittering around, and the wind is blowing through you like stabbing icicles! Add to all of it, the fact that I'm coming down with my annual winter cold. Achy and feeling feverish, I decided to take an afternoon nap, hoping that it would rejuvenate me - it didn't. I only woke up warm and groggy, not feeling like doing anything the rest of the afternoon.
Wrestling with lacking motivation, I could feel myself waivering between running and all the reasons that were good enough not to. With plenty of time to spare (since my non-motivated self was winning the battle at this point), I decided to check out the Biggest Loser makeover episode from last week. Somehow I wound up tuning in to the episode where they look back on all prior season winners - and where they are now. Watching the show, I couldn't help but notice that EVERY ONE of the prior winners had put on weight since winning - some more than others. Encouraging? Not in the least! Realistic and motivating? Absolutely!
I have battled with maintaining my weight my entire life. At just the point where I feel like I've got it "under control" it seems that LIFE HAPPENS and interrupts my otherwise steady routine. (The most recent "life happening" was my ankle injury this past winter.) All things considered, of this I'm sure - weight loss (maintenance) is a LIFETIME journey - not an event where I'll reach my goal and all of a sudden be "home free." I will NEVER be able to relax in this regard, but must realize that if I do the right things - eat healthy food, continue an exercise routine - then maybe, just MAYBE, I'll be able to maintain some semblance of 'normalcy' where my weight is concerned.
Oh, and, by the way, I did go to the gym tonight, and I DID finish the 3 mile run...like it or not!
Wrestling with lacking motivation, I could feel myself waivering between running and all the reasons that were good enough not to. With plenty of time to spare (since my non-motivated self was winning the battle at this point), I decided to check out the Biggest Loser makeover episode from last week. Somehow I wound up tuning in to the episode where they look back on all prior season winners - and where they are now. Watching the show, I couldn't help but notice that EVERY ONE of the prior winners had put on weight since winning - some more than others. Encouraging? Not in the least! Realistic and motivating? Absolutely!
I have battled with maintaining my weight my entire life. At just the point where I feel like I've got it "under control" it seems that LIFE HAPPENS and interrupts my otherwise steady routine. (The most recent "life happening" was my ankle injury this past winter.) All things considered, of this I'm sure - weight loss (maintenance) is a LIFETIME journey - not an event where I'll reach my goal and all of a sudden be "home free." I will NEVER be able to relax in this regard, but must realize that if I do the right things - eat healthy food, continue an exercise routine - then maybe, just MAYBE, I'll be able to maintain some semblance of 'normalcy' where my weight is concerned.
Oh, and, by the way, I did go to the gym tonight, and I DID finish the 3 mile run...like it or not!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
First Long Run
I did NOT want to run today! Thanksgiving threw me for a loop, and got my determination and schedule out of whack. I didn't get my training in on Friday, and when I thought I'd do it yesterday, it just didn't happen. Knowing that I'd missed a day of training made it that much more important that I finish today's run.
Like it or not, ready or not, I knew how vital today's run would be. I refused to let my mind take over, though. As soon as I got home from church, I changed clothes, and headed to the Baxter Fitness Center. I'd like to say that was the most difficult part of today's run, but it wasn't.
I'm learning that training is mind over matter. If I can keep my mind distracted, not focus on the distance, remain confident that I can finish the race, it makes things much easier. So it was today...determined to finish the first 1.5 miles without walking, I didn't count steps, and tried not to focus on the gauges as much as I have in the past. (Self-talk didn't hurt, either!)
At the end of today's training session, I was pleased to see that I'd finished the 3 mile run in just under 40 minutes!
Like it or not, ready or not, I knew how vital today's run would be. I refused to let my mind take over, though. As soon as I got home from church, I changed clothes, and headed to the Baxter Fitness Center. I'd like to say that was the most difficult part of today's run, but it wasn't.
I'm learning that training is mind over matter. If I can keep my mind distracted, not focus on the distance, remain confident that I can finish the race, it makes things much easier. So it was today...determined to finish the first 1.5 miles without walking, I didn't count steps, and tried not to focus on the gauges as much as I have in the past. (Self-talk didn't hurt, either!)
At the end of today's training session, I was pleased to see that I'd finished the 3 mile run in just under 40 minutes!
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