today: enjoy the jouRney
This week's Monday Makeover is a little focus on 'my' makeover...with my running/training journey. I've had lots of emails & messages with questions & comments.... And I wanted to blog about this huuuuge part of my life right now...so, if you are not interested in hearing it...by all means. don't read on. :)
I have had a major makeover in my
mind.
heart.
body.
&
spirit.
And I owe it all to running.
As many of you know...I have been sick for a while.....& it is still tough going. Some days are better than others. And while I am still looking for the answers & wanting to be healed...it's a long process.
So, I had 2 choices. I could either
1. wallow in my pain, sickness & self pity.
or
2. try to find something to take my mind off of the pain & sickness.
Yes, I *was* feeling a bit better.. so, I decided I wanted to turn to running to get my mind off of my pain. I know...It sounds crazy. But, whatever I've got...I feel WORSE if I don't exercise.
So. I must. even if I have to grit my teeth through the pain for the first few miles....by mile 3 or so, I'm used to the pain & I start to enjoy it. crazy...huh?
"How can you run when you are feeling sick?" This is one of the most asked questions I've been getting.
Well.
1 word.
motivation.
I have to look for motivation all around me....
to get my shoes on.
to get me out the door.
to ignore the pain & realize I WILL feel better after my run.
So....in answer to the 2nd most asked question: "Where do you find your motivation & determination?"...I've forced myself to LOOK for the positive parts of running.
one. iLOVE motivational quotes. Hence, I share a lot of the quotes I see on Twitter by Running Quotes & such...love them. they motivate me.
But, one of the things that has totally helped me through this is the
Soul Restoration 2 class by Melody Ross.
When I started the class, I had already made the goal of running a marathon, but the training (physical, mental & emotional) was going to be difficult...I knew this. So, SR2 helped me make a plan & with my art...really get through to what I really wanted.
...Helped me ask some really important questions...
-WHAT did I really want to learn through this journey...
&
-HOW can I get through this without giving up?
...making a plan, & STICKING WITH IT!!!!
Thanks, Mel! Loved the course! it taught me so much!
two. iLOVE motivational products. like Dailyologie. See that cute package up there? It's a pillow case...isn't that fab? It says: get up, put your smile on and run like the wind.
adore. this.
three. iLOVE motivational & inspirational views on my run...I have to drive about 10 minutes to a trail, but it's soooo worth it to me. The natural beauty that surrounds me takes my mind off of my pain....& I sooo enjoy taking pictures of my runs & documenting my jouRney.
four. iLOVE motivational tools like my iPhone.I really couldn't do it w/o it...love technology!
I love how I can use it for so many things during my run.
Instagram= to take pix.
Pandora Radio= to listen to my running playlists.
RunKeeper= to track my time, mileage & pace. and...of course,
my iFitness belt to house my lil phone...i lovey!
so....I have 18 more days until my marathon.
I've completed the most difficult week in training...my training program had me ramping up the mileage to 20 miles...which I did on Saturday...& now for the next 3 weeks I taper down...gradually so that by the marathon...
I'm READY TO GO!
I have to say...i felt better after my 20 miles than the 18 miler we did...I am now really excited about the marathon.
I've run 20 miles...& have trained hard...& now I have to trust my body & just
enjoy my journey....
and...it's been quite a jouRney....one of THE hardest things I've ever done...every day is a struggle...but, I do try to stay positive & keep on going. instead of wallowing in self pity..hee hee.
and...the thing I've loved the best is the POWER I've felt as I've pushed through this difficult training. I heard these 4 simple words yesterday at church & it has stuck with me....really got my heart:
The Power of Becoming.
We all have it in us to become what we want to become....we just have to want it. do it. & become it.
so...here's to the power within US...to become better. become what & who we want to become. Today's the day...live it!
No comments:
Post a Comment