Today, I had planned to get up early and drive home to Vancouver to take in some Olympic fun. When the alarm went off at 6am... I hit snooze... again, again, and again. I realized I might be overtired from a few really busy weeks... and that maybe I should put it off until next weekend.
Then around 9:30 I woke up again... and realized, 'hey, I could make it to circuit in an hour!"... but... "just five more minutes." Those are always my famous last words before I sleep through something...
Needless to say, I had a good sleep ;) Finally feel like I've caught up on it. So I went out and did some grocery shopping, as I was running low on a few of the essentials... stocked up on my egg whites... veggies... fruit... canned pumpkin... sweet potatoes for those YUMMY sweet potato pancakes I love... etc. By the way, that recipe is coming soon on the ol' blog if you haven't gotten it from the trainers yet! I realized when I got home that I forgot to buy Coke Zero... which was probably for the best. I realize I've developed a BIT of a dependence problem... but I guess that's not surprising, given that I'm not allowed to eat cookies anymore ;)
So I told myself that if I slept too late to make it home... AND slept through circuit... AND just signed up for a half-marathon... I better go running today! I procrastinated for awhile... then got off my duff and put on my running shoes.
As I was walking for my warm-up, I realized it was getting windy... and it wasn't very warm... so I grumbled my way to Lansdowne Street, telling myself I'll just get 5-6K done and get it over with FAST. Once at Lansdowne, I started my run, heading to Riverside Park.
The more I ran, the more sunshine seemed to come out, and the better that breeze felt on my face. Suddenly the jacket was off, and 6K were quickly behind me... and I felt awesome! So I decided to push for 10K. I ran along the Rivers Trail, up to Storms Restaurant, back down the way I came, back through Riverside Park, pounding that ramp to the bridge one more time... and suddenly 10K were behind me. I decided to push for 2 more... then 2 became 5. Then I could barely move my legs ;) So 15K it was.
But how amazing, to be able to do 15K on a day when I wasn't even sure I wanted to run at ALL... when I thought I only had the stamina for 5 or 6K. It just underlines the importance of just PUTTING ON YOUR SHOES AND GOING. There are so many days when I 'just don't feel like it'... there's probably an excuse I could come up with every day. Sometimes the toughest part is just getting off the couch.
Once I'm running, I like to come up with a fun test for myself. I always have an idea in my head of how far I'm going to run... depending on how tired, hydrated, or motivated I am... but once I've reached it, I like to tell myself, "you can do one more kilometre... what's that? Nothing!" and keep coaxing myself to just get a little bit more done. Even if it's just a few more minutes' worth... imagine how that little bit extra adds up over weeks or months!
This mental game is one of the reasons I love running. Running is such a simple exercise... no fancy equipment needed, just one foot in front of the other. Then why do some people find it so hard? Studying that mental element of it is fascinating to me... how do I convince my brain that those minor body aches DON'T mean I have to stop... that I CAN do one or two more kilometres?
Though I love running outdoors, in the winter I can be a bit of a baby... so I did a LOT of treadmill running at the Fit Centre in November and December (when it was actually colder than it is now)... and I remember seeing an interesting box on a shelf in front of me. I have no idea what the product or company was, but the box had one clear word on it: Resolve. I would stare that word down as I ran harder and further. That one word became my mantra: RESOLVE. Mind over matter.
It's a good word. Even though that box eventually disappeared from the shelf, I keep that word in my mind... especially on those days when I can't seem to peel my butt off the couch... or remember why on earth I'm doing all this hard work.
Resolve!
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Apparently, tostadas are not part of the program.
Apparently, tostadas are not part of the program.
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About Me
- Tracy Pellizzari
- The host of CFJC TV's Midday Show is making health and fitness a priority, with the help of the awesome trainers at Kamloops Fit Centre! Join her for the journey and share your own goals, successes and challenges along the way.
3 comments:
Hi Tracy, I totally get what you're saying. Even though I know I'll feel better after I work out, it's the push to get myself to the gym that's the hardest. It's so easy to make excuses but once I go I ALWAYS feel better and give it my best. I tell myself that I'll just go for half an hour but once I'm there I end up doing the full cardio, weights, some situp and stretches. After sitting at my desk all day at work for the most part that exercise just helps to loosen everything up and make me feel better about myself.
It's a real challenge with 2 kids to put myself first but I am really beginning to see that by doing that I can be a better Mom and wife. The energy I get from the workouts and the healthier eating makes my time with my family that much more fulfilling than when I put myself last. I have come to the realization that my stress levels are much lower too so that's another fringe benefit.
I'm also so lucky that my husband is so supportive with my new lifestyle. My kids really enjoy the new me so all of this makes it worthwhile in the end.
I do miss the workouts we did together as the 3 Tracy's though...so I really hope you are both doing well.
Tracy Popowich
hey T3!!! :) great to hear from you!!
ya, knowing how good i feel once it's over... i have NO idea why it's so hard to get there in the first place. just part of that constant mental struggle, i guess.
keep up the good work! we should organize a reunion sometime :)
Hey Tracy Pop ! We miss you at the gym, how's your weight loss going??
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