As many of my blog posts mention, I’m a
self-appointed poor runner. I like running at about
5mph. Any faster than that and my short stubby legs just refuse to
move and time stops. Running at 5mph is my sweet spot. I
don’t really lose my breath and there are days when I feel like I can run
forever because time ceases to exist. However, forever is usually no
more than four miles at this point and time, but it’s a deeply enjoyed and
effortless four miles.
That being said, I’m attempting to pick up my speed
and maximize my endurance…by February. Why? Because I
need a goal. I need to focus my attention. And I need to
win the Glass Slipper.
In general, people lose interest in their exercise
programs (if it’s not an effortless, habitual routine) because there is a lack
of focus. You get to a point where you ask yourself, “well now
what?” Maybe you’ve hit a plateau; maybe you’re incredibly bored
with the same ol’, same ol’; maybe your not seeing the same speedy results that
you were seeing a month or two ago. Whatever the reason is, people
quit. And it’s not just with exercise programs – it’s all sorts of
“extra curricular activities.”
The only thing that people don’t seem to quit is
the TV shows that they are watching. I know I’m guilty of
this. There are a few TV shows that are running that I find myself,
“WHY AM I WATCHING THIS? THIS IS SO STUPID!” Usually I dislike shows
because the writers seem to have run out of plot ideas, and so you just watch
things happen that don’t really make sense or seem a bit
jumbled. Why do we watch these TV shows? Because
we’ve invested so much time and effort into
the programs that we feel like we are a part of their fake lives and we want to
see this through.
Why don’t we apply this same loyalty to health and
well-being? Because, let’s face it, it’s not as
interesting…right? No. Incorrect. When you devote a lot
of time and effort into your health and wellness lifestyle, you see
results. You notice differences. You feel
better. You can run farther. You can lift heavier
objects. So how do you keep it interesting?
By setting goals. Think of your personal
goals as the overarching theme of a TV show. Today is the beginning,
death will be the end. Shake up your workouts by adding “plot
twists” and unexpected challenges. I mean, that’s why we love “Game
of Thrones,” right? Unexpected challenges question our
capabilities. It focuses us to try harder and to eventually succeed
at something that we thought to be impossible.
Earlier I mentioned that I have recently focused my
attention, but it wasn’t my doing. It was an unexpected plot
twist. Next year, we are going to celebrate my sister’s and my
niece’s birthday by earning a Glass Slipper medal. In order to do
this, you need to run a 10k on Saturday and a ½ marathon on Sunday and finish
within a certain time. And just for the fun of it, we are going to
do the 5k the Friday before. So it’s three days of running, the last
day being the worst. Honestly, I think this is bat-shit crazy, and
I’m in a state of disbelief that I will be able to survive that
weekend. BUT. I am following my program. I am
being consistent. I am trying to run a little faster on my short run
days, and happily maintaining my 5mph pace on my long run days. I
should be able to run a half marathon by November if my training goes
smoothly…but I know there will be twists and turns and other obstacles that
will threaten my consistency. (Like moving back to the US, a wedding
in South Dakota, followed by a short visit to Colorado.) Never-the-less,
I am going to be as consistent as possible and earn that Glass Slipper medal!
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