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