It’s nearly Christmas and I am about to go out for another training run. Fitting my runs is something I always struggle with. It’s easy to find an excuse of why I could put it off until tomorrow, but it seems as though those reasons are more readily available over the holidays. Like really, a run on Boxing Day??? Arrg!
Truth be told, Christmas isn’t really one of my favorite times of the year. I feel like I am always pulled in a million different directions, and if I even think about saying no to one person, guilt will eat my guts more than the stress. And then there is the pressure of trying to find the perfect gifts without going over budget. Seriously, what do you get for someone who says they don’t need anything??? Oh yes, and you have to smile and ‘enjoy’ each moment with those family members you only see once a year. It’s a wonder we don’t all end up in the hospital with ulcers!
This year I have decided things will be different. This year I am choosing a new perspective on Christmas. I am choosing to enjoy spending time with the people I love. I am going to stay up late. I am going to drive around and look at Christmas lights. I am going to drink lots of wine. I am going to join in every board game that is played. I am going to give hugs like they are going out of style. But most importantly… I am going to be sure I fit in each one of my scheduled runs.
The way I see it, if I can start my day outside, on a beautiful trail, in the fresh air, with the snow crunching under my feet… I know everything else will be a breeze.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Back on the Wagon
So, I am back on the wagon... if that's how the saying goes. I am running again, and actually considering training for another race! This time is different though, this time it's for me! For the most part, I have been motivated, maybe even excited to go for a run when I get home from work... but the day will come when I honestly would rather snuggle up with a blanket and cuddle with Rylee. I am not totally sure how I will handle it when that day comes, but I will keep you posted.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Why I Run...
Since last blogging in July I have pretty much given up on running... we have had a huge falling out. It was actually to the point where I nearly HATED it! Now here I am, 4 months later, after much soul searching and running withdrawal, with a few important conclusions...
This challenge of running every day made running, something that I loved so much, a chore for me. It got to the point that I would put off my run until the last minute, I would stall to get ready for my run, and then I would stall at the doorway until Matt kicked me out the door reminding me of how good I would feel when it was finished. I was dreading each and every run! I forgot the most important thing... Why I run!
So, why do I run? It's that moment that I step outside into the cool air, the sun shining on my face, and the breeze blowing through my hair... all the stresses of the day instantly melt away and I am able to realize all the true beauty in the world.
Running also provides me with an opportunity to find out what I am truly made of! How far can I push myself today? How fast can I run before I have to stop? How many Kilometers can I squeeze in this week?
Sometimes I wonder who I really am when I run. I feel like a completely different person, a strong and confident person. Someone who knows what they want and is not afraid to go and get it! Running gives me a sense of control and strength. I love going through my day knowing that I was up before most people and have already completed my run, what a sense of accomplishment! This is something I want more of in my life, and not just when I run... so this is the exact reason I run!
Today... November 11th, 2010, Running I will unite again! It is time to conquer the world :)
This challenge of running every day made running, something that I loved so much, a chore for me. It got to the point that I would put off my run until the last minute, I would stall to get ready for my run, and then I would stall at the doorway until Matt kicked me out the door reminding me of how good I would feel when it was finished. I was dreading each and every run! I forgot the most important thing... Why I run!
So, why do I run? It's that moment that I step outside into the cool air, the sun shining on my face, and the breeze blowing through my hair... all the stresses of the day instantly melt away and I am able to realize all the true beauty in the world.
Running also provides me with an opportunity to find out what I am truly made of! How far can I push myself today? How fast can I run before I have to stop? How many Kilometers can I squeeze in this week?
Sometimes I wonder who I really am when I run. I feel like a completely different person, a strong and confident person. Someone who knows what they want and is not afraid to go and get it! Running gives me a sense of control and strength. I love going through my day knowing that I was up before most people and have already completed my run, what a sense of accomplishment! This is something I want more of in my life, and not just when I run... so this is the exact reason I run!
Today... November 11th, 2010, Running I will unite again! It is time to conquer the world :)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Aha Moment
July has been an interesting month thus far. It all began with the most thought provoking holiday I had ever experienced. One that has made me question far more than I ever thought possible. Majority of what I learnt I will save for another day. Today, however, I will focus on how it has impacted my running!
I have recently realized that I began this journey with the wrong intentions. Originally, my purpose was to ‘gain control over my life’… which to me truthfully meant to lose weight and stick to a training schedule so that I could run as fast as “everyone” else. Like many others, I believed that if I was skinnier and a faster runner I would be accepted. Boy was I off my rocker, Silly Me!!!
As it turns out, both of these reasons had absolutely nothing to do with me and what I needed or wanted; therefore I have failed. As they say, hind-sight is 20-20, so in hind-sight I should have expected not to be able to reach my goal with such silly intentions.
On July 2, I missed my first 5km, and since then there have been more. It has taken me 22 days to come clean with you. In the beginning it was because I was ashamed, and worried about what you might think. But this week, after much self reflection, I have come to a very important realization…
I can only control my own thoughts. The only person I let down was ME! In order to succeed in anything in life, I NEED to accept myself and have faith in my abilities.
As I read back through my blogs, it is more obvious in some than in others, that maybe somewhere deep inside I have always known this… but for some reason, majority of the time it eluded me.
I think sometime between the early stages of childhood and our pre-teens, we start to let what we believe others think about us, control us. We forget the importance of our own dreams and fulfillment.
With this realization at the forefront, I am going to continue my self-reflection. I need to find the answer to some very important questions…Why do I run? What do I gain from it? How does it fit into who I am? Until then, I will continue with my journey of self discovery, which running is still a part of (at some level).
I have recently realized that I began this journey with the wrong intentions. Originally, my purpose was to ‘gain control over my life’… which to me truthfully meant to lose weight and stick to a training schedule so that I could run as fast as “everyone” else. Like many others, I believed that if I was skinnier and a faster runner I would be accepted. Boy was I off my rocker, Silly Me!!!
As it turns out, both of these reasons had absolutely nothing to do with me and what I needed or wanted; therefore I have failed. As they say, hind-sight is 20-20, so in hind-sight I should have expected not to be able to reach my goal with such silly intentions.
On July 2, I missed my first 5km, and since then there have been more. It has taken me 22 days to come clean with you. In the beginning it was because I was ashamed, and worried about what you might think. But this week, after much self reflection, I have come to a very important realization…
I can only control my own thoughts. The only person I let down was ME! In order to succeed in anything in life, I NEED to accept myself and have faith in my abilities.
As I read back through my blogs, it is more obvious in some than in others, that maybe somewhere deep inside I have always known this… but for some reason, majority of the time it eluded me.
I think sometime between the early stages of childhood and our pre-teens, we start to let what we believe others think about us, control us. We forget the importance of our own dreams and fulfillment.
With this realization at the forefront, I am going to continue my self-reflection. I need to find the answer to some very important questions…Why do I run? What do I gain from it? How does it fit into who I am? Until then, I will continue with my journey of self discovery, which running is still a part of (at some level).
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