As my last post reflected, I was absolutely dreading my scheduled workout. I purposefully vented my feelings to help find whatever motivation I could to push forward. Even after publishing, I still moseyed about the house allowing my mind to humor all of the excuses that floated through...knowing all the while that I really didn't have choice in the matter; after all it was scheduled.
In slow motion, I got myself ready, walked to the end of the driveway, started my watch and iPod, and literally forced myself to make the running motion. About one minute in to it, I felt different. My abs were engaged, my posture in check, and my legs were moving - I felt strong. Just one minute later ... I couldn't believe how different I felt after only sixty seconds!
Two miles came quick and I decided to add the extra mile in for a total of five. My mind was open and a massive brainstorming session was taking place - if only moments like this allowed for a note pad!
Adele 21 turned out to be great addition to the iPod. I was surprised by how much it allowed my mind to get lost in the moment.
I finished the five miles a whole three minutes faster than normal. I can't believe that I actually was dreading this moment. So glad that I did not allow myself to miss out on the best run that I have had in months!
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| Kudos to my Brooks for taking a beating tonight! Love these shoes! |
As I was cooling down, I thought of five things that help me get through my runs...
1. Telephone Pole Theory - I thought for sure I was going to need to rely on this tonight - but as you now know my luck was different! Telephone Pole Theory is simple and can be used with any landmark. It's especially helpful to those new to running. As your running, just focus on the next goal - aka telephone pole - and as your reach that goal, immediately focus on the next closest goal. It takes your mind off the fact that you have to finish a whole five (or whatever) miles and instead helps you stay in check and celebrate all the mini-accomplishments along the way.
2. Get Lost in It - I love it when this happens! Allowing your mind to get lost in the run is exciting and exhilarating. To me, this means my mind is fully in-tune to my body and everything just feels right and in check...thus confidence ensues. I knew I was running faster than normal tonight, yet I had so many exciting thoughts going through my head that each mile completed was almost a surprise. I found myself thinking, "Wow, I'm already here!" Mind you, this was coming from the same girl who was dreading the run just minutes before! Good music, such as Adele, certainly plays a big role in achieving this.
3. Solve the World's Problems - okay, maybe not the world's but yours will do! Often, I will take one problem/issue, or even opportunity out on the pavement with me. It's amazing what I can come up with while running. Sometimes, it's hard to focus and other thoughts will try and flutter in, but I just force myself to circle back (repeatedly) to the task at hand.
4. Run Like Someone is Watching - Okay, fess up, I know I am not the only one who does this! When necessary, I pretend that all of the cars passing by are truly intrigued with my running...like I am inspiring them to go home and go for a run themselves! I notice when I think they are watching, I typically pick up my pace and make sure my form is truly in check. I like to pretend that conversations take place in the car about my running...such as, "Wow, she's in shape." - or - "Man, she's cruising!" - othertimes, I pretend that someone I know is about to drive by (ie. my husband, personal trainer, etc). Haha, I know it's silly but whatever works, right!?!
5. Take a Partner - in my case, that usually means my pup, Miles. He was named before we even knew him as I was bound and determined he would get a lot of
miles under his belt throughout his life! Most of the time, I love taking Miles as he normally pushes me, but tonight, as you know - I was in a funk and wanted to just be by myself. Human partners are of course great too! I would love to have a local running partner...but that hasn't fallen into place yet!
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| Dirty paws Miles pouting because I told him he didn't get to go with me. |
The moral of this story - don't allow yourself to miss out on what could be your best run (or workout in general) yet. Just get up and do it! I am oh so glad I did! All it took tonight was sixty seconds to a "new" me.
Trust me, I too will need this reminder before too long...
Keep it Clean & Enjoy the Ride
MSF
