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

ReGrouping

"When you fail to plan, you plan to fail." This is sometimes the case but not always the case. I am lucky enough to know how to ReGroup4Change .  I woke up last Sunday morning thinking I would be able to go for a long run. In my mind, a long run = 10 miles or more. It's a lot, but why not?! Last Sunday, I planned to go out on a long run, but I did not put anything in place the night before. By the time I woke up and got out the house, I was already 45 minutes behind schedule. That didn't include travel time to my running spot for the day. By the time I got there I knew that I would not get 10 miles done. When the plan changes, the plan changes.  I decided to set my run timer for 1 hour. I figured I'd get in how ever many miles I could within that timeframe. I set out to run with my wireless headphones but I was so anxious to get out there that I didn't sync them with my phone before I started my timer. The headphones were disconnected. I was already ...
1 comment
Read more

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

Zooma Summer Challenge - Week 1

The week started off with a mid-distance run. I finished my run off with a 5 minute workout. It's such a short period of time and may sound wimpy, but let me tell you, it's pretty intense.  In fact, I don't even think I made it five whole minutes. The one thing that very much helped me this week was the start of my Zooma Summer Challenge. The Challenge is complete with meal planning tips, workouts, and motivation. The first exercise for the week was a 2 mile run. I had traveled to Miami on a 6am flight so I was not able to run in the morning and spent the day in meetings. I almost missed the day's workout but seeing all the Facebook posts encouraged me to get up and hit the treadmill...even at 10:30p. Make examples, not excuses. I knew that I could easily do 2 miles so I got up and got it done. No excuses! Running and Snapping pics can't be safe :/ The third exercise for the week was a track workout that included sprint intervals. Well, running ...
Post a Comment
Read more