Because I can’t stand it when people make up a huge list of excuses, I’ll make this long story short.
I played in a soccer game on Monday and was somewhat injured so I didn’t run for the past few days. I’ve also been battling some sort of stomach virus so it’s been hard to eat or drink a whole lot recently.
Thus, when I left for my run today, I wasn’t sure how far I’d make it. A little bit after a mile, my legs started to feel really heavy and I knew I wasn’t going to make the complete loop. (How FRUSTRATING! You work so hard and something so minor can make you feel like you’ve been pushed back 10 steps.)
Anyways, as I slowed my run to a walk, I tried to come up with some reasoning as to why today’s run was so difficult vs. last weeks runs. My mind started to get upset with my body because I mentally wasn’t tired; it was my body that was giving up on me today.
As I kept thinking, I could tell I was starting to spiral down a negative path and I was reminded of a quote from a speaker I heard at school today. He said, “You are the same person as you were yesterday except for the conscious changes you make in this world today.” As I dragged my feet through the fall leaves, I pondered this idea, ‘how can I change this situation … how can I make this situation better? I don’t want to be the same person after this run as I was when I started it, the whole point of exercising is to change!’ Maybe I wasn’t going to fully complete this loop today but I was suddenly determined to change my attitude. Instead of jogging the last ½ mile, I changed my speed. I sprinted/jogged/walked the last ½ mile, and although I didn’t physically complete this "jog," I did overcome a potentially poor mental attitude. Change is good! Change is definitely HARD, but it’s also good.
What did you do to change yourself today?
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SONG OF THE RUN: The White Stripes - Blue Orchid
Change is good. I will be working on change tomorrow. After not running all week because my knees are shot, I am driving 2.5 hours one way to get to a good running shoe store to get measure and advice on what is the best shoe for me and my ouchy knees. Change by not holding onto excuses you have control over!! Change by not worrying about the things you don't have control over!
ReplyDeleteJulie, for Christmas, if you have time, I know you are super busy, Can you make me a CD of your favorite songs to run to? I need some more upbeat fun stuff to run to!!
ReplyDeleteDrove 2.25 hours one way to get running shoes yesterday and they do make a difference. I ran longer than ever before last night with much less pain this morning. 2.5 miles!!! Yippe!!
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