Skip to main content

Independence Day

My running goal for July is to run a minimum of 55 miles. I am well on my way. Thanks to Independence Day, my office was closed on July 4 and I had an opportunity to go out on a long run. I crave those days. The days when I can set aside 1-2 hours to just BE. Time to BE me. Time to BE free. Time to BE one with nature. Time to BE alone with my thoughts.

My 4th of July run reminded me of a few things I enjoy most about long run days: 
  1. Enjoy the moment. I think I most enjoyed the ability to wear clothes and colors that reflected the day. Red. White. Blue. When you run and release endorphins, you have a longer, more productive run. Wearing running clothes that can make someone else smile, makes a smile. Just like at any other time... when you look good, you feel good! I don't run because I don't have anything better to do with my time. I run because it keeps my emotionally and mentally stable. Find your enjoyment and run with it! 
    Happy Independence Day 2017

  2. Run with a goal in mind. I set out to run 10 miles. I took a partner with me and when he heard my goal, he was less than excited. His goal isn't always my goal. That's okay. Even though we didn't finish together, we started together. The simple pleasure of having someone to give you the momentum to push yourself further is sometimes enough for you to excel. Find a partner and work on your goals together. Even if your goals are different, you will still be able to push each other towards greatness.
    "Wait, what? How many miles did you say?"

  3. Set benchmarks. I never would have made my goal if I didn't have a benchmark. After Oliver and I went our separate ways, I still had 5+ miles to complete. Because I had run that route before, I knew where I needed to run to before I could turn around and head towards the finish. Once I got to the church, I knew I was only 3 miles away and I know I can so 3 miles pretty easily. Knowing where I was headed made it easy for me to encourage myself along the way. So, be clear on where you are headed so that you can find inner strength at times when you are feeling weak. 
    This church is ALWAYS my benchmark!

I am so thankful for the mid-week holiday because I wasn't able to get in any miles for the remaining days. However, Saturday came and I achieved my mile goal for the week. More importantly, I got in some training for the Spartan Super. Yes, at some point between last week and this week, I committed my husband and I to complete the 8-10 mile off course race in North Carolina. So, I needed to work on my upper body strength. Such a great morning! Extra miles plus an added workout.

The monkey bars will NOT defeat ME!!!

There's are no shortcuts to success. Just do it!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Purpose Over Pleasure

"I'm done!" Those were my thoughts multiple times during this weekend's half marathon. As I got further into the race, I told myself, I'm done! I am done with Zooma. I am done with long distance running. I am done with running race in temperatures above 70 degrees. I am DONE! At the start of the race, one of the first things I noticed was that the pacer's shirt read. Run Walk Run. I asked the pacer if that meant she would be doing intervals. Her response, " Yes, 2 minutes of running with 30 sec breaks at a 8:40 pace. " I was immediately intimidated but I figured I would give it a shot. I did not typically run intervals but these ladies had a tried and true method to get me to my goal time. So I tried it out. I was outside of my comfort zone but that is where growth starts, right?! I was running strong all the way through mile 9. Based on my mile time splits, I was inspired and moving right along the course. I was even smiling as I passed mile 5...
2 comments
Read more

613.55 Miles Later

What an amazing year of running! There was ups and downs. There were challenges and setbacks but I did not give up. My official races included 2-5ks, 1-10k, 1-12k, 1-15k, 4-Half Marathons, and an obstacle race. Each race presented it's own challenges and successes. Below is a snapshot of the how the year was broken down: No training but this year started off with a bang. My family and I ran the Springhill Mania. Two of the girls ran the 5k and my husband and I ran the half marathon. Always a great time when we are all out there moving at our pace and celebrating our personal wins together. A family that runs together! #Family There is a fun, flat race that happens every February in Tallahassee. It is the Flash 12k. 7.5 miles done and it felt good because I was not out on the course alone. My husband and two of my daughters were right there with me. #RepeatOffender As you see from my January and February mileage, I did not do a lot running. It as time to get on the bal...
Post a Comment
Read more

Getting The Mojo Back

On this past Saturday I had a chance to do my first Saturday endurance run with Black Girls Run Jacksonville. It was such as great experience. No woman was left alone and there were so many paces and levels of walkers and runners. The Ambassadors had so much energy that it was contagious. I had not run more than 40 minutes in a little over a month so I was nervous but it felt so good to be out there....with a group. I completed my 60-minute run and met my goal of 6 miles. Once the run was over, I was pumped. When I got home, I started looking at my Nike Run App and realized that I was only halfway to my goal of running 62.13 miles this month. Ut oh. I did some calculations and decided that I could meet my goal if I ran 3 miles per day for the next ten days. What's 30 minutes? It's nothing. We waste 30 minutes scrolling through Facebook.  The least I could do is to commit 30 minutes per day to ME.  (How much time to yo commit to yourself daily?) So the journey began....
Post a Comment
Read more