Do you ever get into a funk? Exercise starts feeling like a chore and you start to feel like the joy in putting forth effort into trying to be healthier is gone. After my last game in November of last year, I told myself I deserved a long break to just relax and recharge my batteries. I've spent every year since I was 8 playing soccer competitively. I was always part of a team and always had a coach. And I absolutely loved it! However, I was always told how much to run, what to lift, when to rest, and what drills I can do more of in order to get better. Back then, that's exactly what I needed. Now that that's all gone, I'm completely lost! I had 20+ teammates who continuously motivated me. I had this competitive edge that I relied on within myself. I always had someone pushing me. But now, there's just me. Somedays it's great. Somedays I'm awesome at motivating and competing with myself. But most days, I'm absolutely awful at it. I would get myself to the gym only to find myself not knowing what it is I should do for my workout. So, I tried to write up plans. Except, my workout plans stunk! I would sit for what seemed like forever and write out the workouts I remember my college weights trainer had us do. The thing is, I'm not training to be a better soccer player anymore. I realize that I am transitioning into another phase in my life where I will be relying on myself.
After two months of trying to get back into the gym and looking up workout plans, I got incredibly frustrated and just stopped. Another funk. How could I, a former college athlete, give up again? We just don't give up. I was embarrassed, ashamed, and incredibly irritated with myself. One early morning, I put on my old running shoes and took off. Mile after mile I started to feel better. My head was clearing up. My emotions were settling down. And I became happier, less-stressed. Once I made it back, I walked a block to cool-down and stretched out a little. I wanted this feeling to last. It dawned on me: I felt accomplished. Something I hadn't felt like since last season. There it was staring me in the face. Running. Something I used to do in high school. Something I used to be good at. Something I used to enjoy.
Fast-forward a few months and here I am, less than a month to go until I run my first half-marathon. whaaaaaat! The past few months have been full of changes. New part-time job working in the education department, full-time graduate student, new coach for a youth girls soccer team, and a born-again runner. Can I call it that? I'm going with it. I had the blessing to meet with a local running group who really motivated to just get out and run, to set goals, and to have fun with it all.
After two months of trying to get back into the gym and looking up workout plans, I got incredibly frustrated and just stopped. Another funk. How could I, a former college athlete, give up again? We just don't give up. I was embarrassed, ashamed, and incredibly irritated with myself. One early morning, I put on my old running shoes and took off. Mile after mile I started to feel better. My head was clearing up. My emotions were settling down. And I became happier, less-stressed. Once I made it back, I walked a block to cool-down and stretched out a little. I wanted this feeling to last. It dawned on me: I felt accomplished. Something I hadn't felt like since last season. There it was staring me in the face. Running. Something I used to do in high school. Something I used to be good at. Something I used to enjoy.
Fast-forward a few months and here I am, less than a month to go until I run my first half-marathon. whaaaaaat! The past few months have been full of changes. New part-time job working in the education department, full-time graduate student, new coach for a youth girls soccer team, and a born-again runner. Can I call it that? I'm going with it. I had the blessing to meet with a local running group who really motivated to just get out and run, to set goals, and to have fun with it all.
Goal setting has always been something that I do every single New Year and stick with it for about the first half of each January...anyone with me?! I'm terrible at sticking to my goals. I liked my comfort zones too much. Running has shown me again and again that stepping out of my comfort zone is what is needed in order to keeping growing. Going through pain, elation, frustration, and triumph keeps me moving. They are now my teammates. They keep me motivated to be a better version of myself every day. And they are always part of my runs during the week! I'll never have two perfect runs back-to-back. Just like I probably won't have two perfect days in a row. Running helps me know that if I just keep moving forward, I'll eventually get to a stronger, healthier, and happier me.
*What have been some of your goals for this year?
*Any of you runners have a big race planned?!
*Any of you runners have a big race planned?!