The Workout

"If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. 
Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it."  ~ Priscilla Welch

"A run begins the moment you forget you are running."  ~ Adidas

"Start early and begin raising the bar throughout the day."  ~ Bruce Jenner

"You can never give up or get down on yourself.  A true champion keeps his or her chin up and always takes life one race at a time."  ~ Gail Devers

 ^"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  ~ Hebrews 12:1-2  (NIV) 

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The Workout.  That ONE workout.  Ever had one of those?  I have.  I had one this morning, in fact.  The kind where the only exercise you want to do is one that requires you to be lying on the floor... because it feels so good to lay down.  The kind where your legs feel like they weigh a ton.  The kind where you can't seem to catch any rhythm at all... and the tempo of your workout is largo (in music terms, that is about as s-l-o-w as it gets).  The kind where you realize that all the fuel you put in your body YESTERDAY is being towed behind you like a ton of wet bricks (remember that Donut Stop doughnut you ate??? Oh, yeah, and that cookie that tasted delicious yesterday??? Remember those?!?!?!?).  The kind where you fatigue before you even begin the exercise.  Yep.  Been there?

My workouts lately consist of an attempt to run what used to be my minimum mileage - 3 miles.  I've not had this much trouble with 3 miles since I can't remember when.  My runs used to be a way for me to stop my brain and work toward my personal goals of physical fitness.  I really enjoy running, and in the last few years it's been pretty easy for me to do.  But, I took about 9 or so months off to have Ellery, and let's just say that things aren't working like they used to!

I enjoy cross training and lifting weights.  I get the best results when I combine running, eating well, and resistance training.  Most trainers will tell you that these three things will provide maximum benefits - some cardio, muscle work, and of course, good fuel for your body.  So, why am I struggling so much?

Okay, this is the deal.  There are a combination of things that can count against someone like me at this stage in my life.

• Giving birth, especially after age 30
• Struggling with weight - and/or having family members that do
• A chronic health issue (including an injury or a disease like arthritis, etc.)
• Finding time for yourself
• Lack of motivation
• Lack of confidence
• Addiction to food
• Lack of training partners and support/encouragement 

I can say that I've struggled with most of these things at some point in my experience.  I didn't really grasp the importance of exercise and healthy diet until I was an adult.  I realized in college that I could look better and feel good about myself when I made healthy choices a reality.  I didn't run for fitness, at least regularly, until I was at least 22 years old.  Since then I've run several marathons and multiple races that were close to or at least half-marathon length. 


A few of the medals I've earned...  I finished these races and that is what is important!

Me after finishing Dam to Dam last year.  I set a new PR for myself.  It was worth every moment of training just for that!

 

Training is what keeps me going.  Setting a goal and sticking to it is what works for me.  I think that is true for a lot of people.  So, is the fact that I don't have the goal of finishing a race stopping me from getting out there and working out daily?  Or, eating right?  Can't it be enough that I cannot fit into the clothing I bought when I was feeling and looking my best?  Or, is it enough that better choices will make me HEALTHIER and help me to live longer?

It's normal to have setbacks.  Say it out loud: NORMAL.  But, it's not healthy and it's NOT normal to get off the bandwagon all-together and stop.  So, I'm setting some new goals.  Starting now.  I will do something active DAILY for the next two weeks.  I am going to Las Vegas with my husband and our best friends in 2 weeks - that's a great motivator.  I'm going to do my best to jump-start my fitness and clean eating routine again.  I know the benefits.  I will NOT be running Dam to Dam this year, and it stinks, but I WILL run it, God willing, next year, and I will try to compete with the time I had last year when I was looking and feeling my best, even after having Creighton.  Okay.  It's in writing. 

"Do not throw in the towel; use it for wiping the sweat off your face."  ~ Unknown

(This is NOT me!)  :)



 I'm going to read this blog when I feel like I'm not in the mood for a workout.  I'm going to listen to the inspiring voices and not my own when I don't "feel" like going for a power-walk, or spending 10 minutes with some weights, or running a couple miles.  And, as I listen to more positive voices, and make better choices, it WILL get easier.  It always does!  The challenge is to put those running/workout shoes on and take the first step!

Now, who's with me?!?!?  :) 

Be inspired by the following quotes!  Apply them to nearly any facet of your life!

"People begin running for any number of motives, but we stick to it for one basic reason - to find out who we really are."  ~ George Sheehan

"Then where does the power come from, to see the race to it's end?  From within."  ~ Eric Liddell

"The major reason for setting a goal is for what it makes of you to accomplish it.  What it makes of you will always be of far greater value than what you get."  ~ Jim Rohe

"Like everyone else, I want to be challenged.  I want to find out whether or not I am a coward.  I want to see how much effort I can put out... what I can endure... if I measure up.  Running allows that."  ~ George Sheehan

"If you set a goal for yourself and are able to acheive it, you have won your race.  Your goal can be to come in first, to improve your performance, or just finish the race - it's up to you."  ~ Dave Scott

"Running is a metaphor for life; there's always someone faster than you, always someone slower.  All you can do is hang in there and put your heart into it."  ~ Unknown

"We all have days when we just don't seem to have the energy or the interest in working out at peak effort.  These are the times to reach inside ourselves and try to find that extra umph that will motivate us."  (How about fitting into those favorite jeans in my closet?!?!)

*** Please remember that this blog is a tool for me to reflect on my experience.  I do not write this to compare myself to anyone else, and I don't want anyone to read this and compare themselves to me, or to feel bad for me, or to feel bad at all!  Use this as motivation to take better care of yourself, in every way possible.  Do what it takes.  You are worth it.