3 DOWN...

After finishing 10 miles today, I have run the equivalent of 3 marathons since January 1. More exciting though is that I didn't have to take a single break. I kept such a great stride the entire time. During my first week, even a 4 mile run seemed burdensome and was spotted with much needed walking.

This makes me wonder, how often have I given up on something that at first seemed hard - only it was too soon to even know whether or not I could actually do it?!

It's often said that long distance running is a mental game more than a physical one. And today, I kept putting off even going because I knew my route included a hill - one that I've only ever gone down. Not to mention, it was near the end of my route so I just assumed I'd be all that much more tired. I simply smiled to myself while making my way up it that just moments before I even considered going around and taking the outer streets which were more level. It was totally manageable, and I daresay not even hard.

Part of this mental game is what you say to yourself (not just while running but in life - in case you needed that spelled out). Slowly, I'm starting to be better at recognizing what I'm saying. It's important to just laugh at the mental junk this is hard...I don't want to do the hill...it's okay to quit since you'll run again in two days...that hill!...why am I not as fast as that person...I bet they can do the hill...those are great shorts, wonder where he got them...is there a store on the top of that hill...my arm feels funny, is that a warning sign of a stroke, no that's a heart attack, wait can an active 26 year old even have a heart attack?!...luckily the hospital is just on the other side of that hill...

It's even more important to fill that mental soundtrack with things that are positive and uplifting you are awesome...that was cake...mmm, cake...you can have a piece if you finish in under an hour...you can do hard things...killing it...keep it up...those are great shorts, wonder where he got them...yes!...my arm's stopped hurting, thank heavens...I did it!!!
I'm sure this topic will be breached again, more for my sake than yours, but there's a great book, What to say When you Talk to Your Self which answers how one can be successful in life.

"You will become what you think about most; your success or failure in anything, large or small, will depend on your programming - what you accept from others, and what you say when you talk to yourself...It makes no difference whether we believe it or not. The brain simply believes what you tell it most. And what you tell it about you, it will create. It has no choice."

So, the next time something is challenging, difficult, or simply frustrating, STOP. Take a minute to catch your breath and listen. What are you saying to yourself?