I have never identified with the term "runner". I am not a runner. I do a 5K or two each year because of the event they raise money for and to feel the accomplishment of finishing. I do not race other than racing my own time.
As I "train" for my first 5K since my daughter being born (or being pregnant for that matter), I find myself focusing on one foot in front of the other. I give myself goals, knowing that I will push it when I reach them.
Last night as I jogged a new route I found this very helpful. I told myself I would jog one lap and then allow myself to walk a short distance before running the second lap. When I reached the point I had mentally plotted, I told myself to just jog a few more steps and then I could walk. "To the next mailbox," I decided. "To the next driveway...well I might as well go those couple extra steps to their mailbox..." I continued this way focusing on just a few steps at a time until I realized I was nearly finished with the second lap already.
One foot in front of the other, the rhythmic thumps on the blacktop and it became like a meditation that last quarter of a lap. The feelings upon completion ranged from pride to confidence to yes, exhaustion.
This morning as I face some tasks that seem overwhelming I think back to last night and the feeling I had upon completing my run. I can do this. I just have to focus on one foot in front of the other. I have to give myself little goals and then push the mark. I also have to know when to celebrate reaching a goal.
I'm grateful for a good jog last night. I'm grateful to be pushing myself to go a little farther each time. I'm grateful for the confidence and pride I feel with each goal met. I'm grateful to put one foot in front of the other as I tackle my tasks today. I'm grateful to have confidence in my abilities to manage what is on my plate. And I'm grateful to know it will be worth celebrating when it is done.
What is on your to do list today? How can you break it down and focus on short goals and each successful step along the way?
May today remind us that we are more capable that we realize. May we find the confidence to give it our all. And may we celebrate the success we find at the end of each step. Have a beautiful day!
As I "train" for my first 5K since my daughter being born (or being pregnant for that matter), I find myself focusing on one foot in front of the other. I give myself goals, knowing that I will push it when I reach them.
Last night as I jogged a new route I found this very helpful. I told myself I would jog one lap and then allow myself to walk a short distance before running the second lap. When I reached the point I had mentally plotted, I told myself to just jog a few more steps and then I could walk. "To the next mailbox," I decided. "To the next driveway...well I might as well go those couple extra steps to their mailbox..." I continued this way focusing on just a few steps at a time until I realized I was nearly finished with the second lap already.
One foot in front of the other, the rhythmic thumps on the blacktop and it became like a meditation that last quarter of a lap. The feelings upon completion ranged from pride to confidence to yes, exhaustion.
This morning as I face some tasks that seem overwhelming I think back to last night and the feeling I had upon completing my run. I can do this. I just have to focus on one foot in front of the other. I have to give myself little goals and then push the mark. I also have to know when to celebrate reaching a goal.
I'm grateful for a good jog last night. I'm grateful to be pushing myself to go a little farther each time. I'm grateful for the confidence and pride I feel with each goal met. I'm grateful to put one foot in front of the other as I tackle my tasks today. I'm grateful to have confidence in my abilities to manage what is on my plate. And I'm grateful to know it will be worth celebrating when it is done.
What is on your to do list today? How can you break it down and focus on short goals and each successful step along the way?
May today remind us that we are more capable that we realize. May we find the confidence to give it our all. And may we celebrate the success we find at the end of each step. Have a beautiful day!
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