Monday Motivation: the only failure is quitting

Today marks the kick off for the Winter Couch to 5k program I help mentor over at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.  I'm very proud of the over 125 women who have committed to becoming runners in 2014. Taking the first step and being willing to get outside of your comfort zone is a huge accomplishment.

However, I've already had some mention they have tried to complete the program in the past but they always "fail".  Or that they've done one workout and it was hard and "This is why I fail".  I'm very bothered by this automatic assumption that they are going to fail.

Here's a newsflash.

This applies to more than just getting through a 9 week C25K program.  Yes, learning how to run is HARD.  Starting any exercise program when you've been sedentary is HARD.  Having the courage to keep going when you feel like giving up is HARD.

If you don't like failing, then don't quit.  You are so much stronger than you realize.

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Motivation Monday: acceptance

I'm trying to tell myself that this is ok right now.



Hopefully I'll be able to start running the way I want again after today's cortisone injections. If they don't work I'm not sure what the next step will be.

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Fitness Friday: #Fear

You know, Eleanor Roosevelt was a pretty smart lady. (I believe she is also credited with one of my favorite quotes, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent," but that's a topic for a different post.)

Today I'm writing about FEAR. I'm going to be the first to admit that I'm pretty much a chickenshit when it comes to a lot of things. I've been known to have full-on panic attacks at the most irrational moments (a ride on a VERY TINY sailboat most recently comes to mind).  But today I'm feeling fear about something I shouldn't be afraid of.  I'm putting it out here to get it off my chest and hopefully out of my mind.

I'm scared for my first double-digit run tomorrow since getting injured back in April. (Has it really been almost 6 months??)

I'm not exactly sure WHAT scares me though. I've done that distance dozens of times. I'm running with an organized run & I know friends will be there. The course is familiar to me.

So what has me scared?

I think, at least for me, 10 miles is my half marathon barometer (for lack of a better word). If I can run 10, I know I can finish 13.1. So maybe I'm scared because this is like my midterm exam. This run will show how far I've come (and ultimately how far I have still to go).  I won't lie.  My legs are tired and sore this week. I've pushed them to paces they haven't consistently run before and tomorrow I'm going to push them to run a distance they haven't run since April 1st.  I want to be successful and finish with a smile on my face.

Wish me luck & think good thoughts for me (and all the other people running the Grand Rapids Marathon 10/20 training run). The weather looks absolutely beautiful for the run (sunny, high 40s and light wind).  I'm hoping the run turns out just as sunny.

Ready...Set...JUMP!


What scares you? What leap are you going to take?

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Monday Motivation from Yoda

source: Pinterest

This is probably my favorite quote of all time and what I'm going to be carrying with me to get me through the Knoxville Half Marathon in 2 weeks, even if I have to write it on my arm.  I can't just "try" to run this race, even though my training has gone completely out the window over the past few weeks.  I must "do".  

What are you going to "do" today? 

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Credit: Pinterest

Credit: Pinterest

       

Credit: Pinterest

Credit: Pinterest

 

Dr. Seuss was pretty wise, wasn't he?