The Running Game

Running is a mental game. I've always known this but I think I forgot for a little while.

Running takes a certain amount of cardiovascular and muscular strength, but it takes an equal amount of mental strength. ANYONE with capable legs can run -- I truly believe that.

I've been really anti-running lately. Nothing about it has seemed appealing to me. I don't like running in Southie, I don't like running on the treadmill, I don't like the music on my ipod, I don't like running with the extra weight I've put on, I don't like the way running hurts my shins, I don't like feeling out of breath. On and on and on and on. Last night as I was walking to the gym I was repeating these "don'ts" in my head over and over. Then suddenly, I just told myself to shut up. I got to the gym, hopped on a treadmill, put on Jeopardy and covered up the screen with a towel. I set the treadmill to 5.5 and just started going. Before I knew it, a mile and a half had passed and I was 100% fine. Even though I was fine, immediately the negative thoughts started pouring in. I have to stop now. I have to slow down. I have to stop at 2 miles. I blocked the thoughts out and decided to put the towel back on and keep going until 2 miles. When I got to two miles I still felt fine. So I decided to go until 2.5. Same deal. When I hit 3 miles I was starting to feel tired and was verrrry sweaty. I sprinted until 3.1 and then called it a day, finishing at 35 minutes on the dot. Two minutes faster than my 5k time a few weeks ago.

I was so happy. I didn't care about the time, I was just so thrilled that I ran a 5k without stopping and FINALLY pushed myself over the mental bridge that always comes around when I'm running. Running a 5k without stopping is so symbolic for me. It was my first goal I wrote down when I started personal training, it was the first step in realizing I could one day run a half marathon, and it was truly the road that led me to gaining some peace through running last year. Today I'm proud of myself for this small accomplishment.

Also, while writing this I remembered that I had made a 5k goal in this post. I didn't even realize it was May 7th, I totally forgot about it!! Go me!

Quotes to live by:
Great accomplishments take time but are always worth the effort.
No matter how small, do not diminish, but take pride in your successes.

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After I got home from the gym I made an omelette with cheese and had 2 pieces of toast and an apple on the side. Lunch today is a salad packed with greens, avocado, tomato, chickpeas and feta cheese.

Looking forward to zumba-ing tonight! Hopefully I have more energy than I did last week.