The Things That Motivate Me

With my 5TH Half Marathon approaching in less than a month, I had a goal for July to run over 120 miles. June I was under that and I was rather discouraged about it. Towards the end of July my miles were not where I wanted them to be with the wedding and other summer festivities which interfered with my training. It was time to push myself forward and get those miles in. The last week of July into August I manged an eleven day running streak which helped me get to 122 miles logged for July. This month I would like to hit 130 or higher. This is what I do: I set goals and enjoy challenging myself and my body. I want to be faster. I want to be stronger. I want to be healthier. For all this, I need to work for it!

My feet pound the pavement in their own private dance. Running is an intimate thing for me. I realize I share this love with many others. This is part of what I love about the sport. Being a part of a race, looking around at all these awesome athletes and knowing that I am part of their tribe, brings me a sense of euphoria. When I am not running in a race the road becomes my church. Here I am able to release, to feel, and to free myself. My head becomes clear of the clutter and cobwebs that get spun during the day. It is when I am out running by myself that I feel I am able to work on being a better me.

I would be lying to you if I told you every run was great. Some days my legs are heavier than others. There are times that I do have a difficult time connecting with myself out on the roads. A mile can feel like five as some days a ten mile run feels great. My feet are blistered and sore, never seeming to get time in between to heal. Each run is different yet just as important to me as the one before. The days that I don't want to run, or those days that I want to stop in a middle of a run, I dig deep for my motivation.

Motivation comes in many ways to each of us. I am motivated to be an example. I am motivated by my children eager to watch me take off from the porch as I set out for my run. Then when I return, the shrieks of "Mama" as they are running down the driveway when I get back to ask me how my run was. Those little faces, the tiny hands which grab at me, they motivate me. I want to be an example to them. I want to teach them discipline  and determination. I want them to know it takes work to achieve what you want. You have to work for it, and some days you have to fight for it!

I am motivated by the change in my body. The places that were once riddled by cellulite and extra skin have been sculpted and toned into muscles I never once had. Each mile gets me closer to having the body I want. I have several more miles to go before I get there; but I will some day.

I run because it is "me" time. Whether it is five in the morning or five in the evening, I find a way to get out there. I make the time since this is the only time I ever get to truly be alone. This is important for me, for my relationship and as a mother. I am not only working on being a healthier me, I am creating a happier me.

I have made a commitment to myself as well as my family to be the best I can be. I have learned a lot about myself over the past couple of years as I have fallen in love with this sport. I have found out that I am capable of doing things I once thought I couldn't. That I am stronger than I knew. I have learned that you need to have courage and search deep withing yourself. I have learned that we are all brave and fierce.

If you want something bad enough then you need to push yourself. Find what motivates you, go after it and do not let anything get in your way. Create goals and challenge yourself. It may not always be easy but I can promise you this; it is always worth it! 

Discipline And Determination: Running Through Winter

As many of you know by now, I am a runner. I love running. I love how it makes me feel, how it keeps me in shape, how it strengthens my body and my mind. Who needs therapy when you have a good pair of running shoes?! If you know me well then you also know that I hate winter and the cold. Okay, so maybe hate is a strong word. Maybe it's not so much winter as it is the cold itself. This will be the 4th winter in a row I run in the cold temps and snow.

I don't own a treadmill and I don't have a gym membership. I love having my feet hit the pavement and I am not about to stop because of the cold. I have grown accustomed to cold weather running. Two years ago I said I would not run if it got below 20 degrees. Last year I ran when it was -5 degrees. When it came down to it the cold did not stop me. I would conquer it! I have learned how to dress appropriately for the weather. Once you master that, you don't get cold. I do hate layers and I prefer running in less. I have figured it out and can get away with thin but warm gear and am comfortable during my runs.

With the time change it also gets dark much earlier. Two out of four of my runs are in the late afternoon. This week not only did I run in the first snowflakes falling, I also ran in the darkness. Safety is important when it is dark. I wear a reflective vest, head lamp and use Knuckle Lights. (If you don't know what Knuckle Lights are you should check these out! Visibility is great when I use these. I had a man tell me this week that the lights looked pretty when I was running with them.)

It is harder for me to get into my runs when it is dark out. I still enjoy it yet I feel like I put so much energy focusing on staying safe that I don't get to loose myself in my runs as I usually do. I have talked about it before; running for me is spiritual as well as physical. When I am running at night I have to pay close attention to my surroundings. It is a constant focus on completing my run safely.

So here we are. Winter is almost here and now it is cold and dark. I have to discipline myself to get out there. I love running, but the elements of my run I don't always enjoy. I have to push myself. Determination fills me so I can get my ass out there on my running days no matter what the weather is. I have run in sun, rain and snow. I would rather run than regret not running. I don't ever come home wishing I had not gone for that run.

This year was an important running year for me. I hit some personal records, or as I like to think of it, "milestones". I completed two Half Marathons and to date have run 1,032.75 miles this year! I am out of training mode and have scaled back a little. After the new year I will most likely kick it into gear again as my goal is to do three to four Half Marathons next year, beginning with the first in April. It is important to me to set new goals. Even more important for me to reach them.

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” ~ Dean Karnazes