worrying the run

I went for an amazing 5 mile run on Sunday with my stepmom! I was all nervous before the run because 5 miles can be intimidating, but I did it and I felt so great at the end that I wanted to run another mile or two. My stepmom told me my problem isn't physical; it's entirely mental. I "worry the run" too much, and she is entirely right. I think of everything, ever, that could possibly hold me back during the run and I end up being a big ball of nerves the entire time and not being able to relax and enjoy it. I need to learn to stop letting my mind control the run and learn to just enjoy it. Because running IS enjoyable once you're out there and get into your groove. Sure, everyone has "off" days, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

What is it about society that makes us emphasize the negatives so much more than the positives? Why do we always stress and worry and focus on the things that aren't going well, than on the things that we're excelling at? Shouldn't we be spending more time celebrating our accomplishments than beating ourselves up about our setbacks? I feel like we'd all be a lot happier, and a lot more confident, if we allowed ourselves to be excited about accomplishing our goals, and even the smaller tasks.

Take this morning, for example. I woke up at 5:40 all excited to go on a 4 mile run. And then as my mind started waking up more, I immediately found myself talking myself out of going running. I realized I was telling myself that 4 miles was too far to do, even though I ran a really strong 5 miles two days ago. At that point, I told myself to shut up. In record time, I got dressed and went out the door and had an amazing 4 mile run. I've discovered that the more time I spend thinking about, or "worrying," the run, the more negative I feel. I can run! Why do I try to convince myself otherwise? No more negativity (yes, I'm aware how often I write that). As a whole, we have to STOP telling ourselves no and instead, realize that we truly are capable of amazing things. Start celebrating your accomplishments and focus on what makes you happy and proud of yourself. Hopefully this new attitude change will not only get you out on the pavement, but will also get your negativity out there, too. We're all amazing, so be amazing to yourself :)

BOS - Run Faster

The Boston Marathon was yesterday, and I was lucky enough to catch parts of it. I've been watching that race since I was a kid and every year I would always say "I want to run that one day!" Watching all of the thousands of runners finishing 26.2 miles is just a thrill and an honor. Thousands of people, from all different backgrounds and running histories, actually get together to run, voluntarily, 26.2 miles. Some have one leg, some are blind, some are running because they can. But the thing is, everyone has a reason. They all vary, but they're all impressive, because it gets these people out there.

I cannot imagine what it must feel like to cross the finish line of the Boston Marathon. I know one day I will, and I also know I'll probably be an emotional mess. But every year I get more and more motivated to run. Not just run, though. I get hungry for Boston. I'm craving that finish line. I'm craving heartbreak hill, I'm craving those fans and that runner's wall and yes even all 26.2 miles. I will one day be one of the thousands who run, and finish, Boston. I'm determined.

I have this friend who is beyond impressive: He ran Boston yesterday in 2:49:36. He said the last 5-6 miles were absolute pain and that he was running on fumes. But he did it. He finished. And not only did he finish, he finished with such an incredibly impressive time! I could never do that. I could one day run Boston, yes, but not with a time like that. Just think about the training and the effort and the talent that goes into a finishing time like that! It's so inspirational.

I cannot wait to one day write a post about finishing Boston myself. I know I can do it, and that desire comes from watching friends and and strangers run. It's that one phrase that always comes to mind: "If they can do, so can I." And it's so true. I can, and I will.

Boston 13.1

I signed up to run the Boston Half Marathon! I've been talking about doing a race like this for far too long and haven't done anything about it. Now, I have. I even talked one of my friends into running it with me, so that we can be training buddies and be a wonderful source of motivation for each other. Admittedly, I'm intimidated by the 13.1 distance, but I know I can do it and I know my friend can do it, as well! I cannot wait for June 27th! Now that I have an actual race to prepare for, training will be easier. I have a goal, a deadline, a training schedule, an incredible friend to run it with and new-found motivation!