Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Competing Against Myself

I've been very consistent with my workouts for the past several months. It now feels second nature to go to the gym or go out for a run.

My mother in law asked me the other morning, as I was getting ready to go for an early morning run, how I get the energy to run. I didn't exactly have an answer for her at that moment. I thought about that question throughout the rest of the day as I fought off wanting to take a nap. I ended up running 2.5 miles that morning and then later that same day went and lifted weights at the gym.

As I was getting ready to head to the gym, it kind of just hit me: it's motivation driven by determination and dedication. It's very rewarding to see results and feel stronger! Not to mention, getting done with a run puts you on a natural high. Comparing your run to each other run, your minutes per mile, time, and miles ran. Just the simple fact that I have the ability to put my running shoes on and run miles at a time, without stopping, is something I definitely take for granted. There are people unable to run, walk even; or people think they could never be a runner so they never even try. I don't necessarily think every runner was born to be a runner...it's something you have to work for, you try and try again, you might not go very far or fast at first but that doesn't matter, you are only in a competition with yourself, no one else!

I probably tell myself at least once a day; "Nothing to it, but to do it!" I never regret a workout or a run. I also remind myself daily that I'm in no competition with anyone else, only myself. It's not fair to compare your day 5 to someone else's day 100.

I'm starting to see some changes in my body and that's always a big motivator. So much time and energy goes into going to the gym and it's nice to see a little pay off over time!

Anyway, so if you've ever wanted to run, just try. You aren't going to be a marathoner at first, maybe even never, but you will never know if you don't try. No excuses, nothing to it, but to do it! <3