Set Goals
Setting my goals for 2012 was relatively easy. I failed to meet my 2011 goals, so they just got rolled over into another year. What has happened in the last year or more is that I’ve learned how to better prepare myself for success.
I’ve gone from running three times a week, to four. I’ve stopped doing workouts that don’t help me reach my running goals. I’ve focused my efforts on doing the workouts that work for me, not what works for others. Along the way my love for running has grown even more.
Watch Your Ego
I’ve been trying to pinpoint what my problem is right now. As soon as I read my dear friend, Erica’s post yesterday, I knew exactly what my problem is… It’s my ego. So, I grabbed my training plan and had a talk with myself. I made a few adjustments to it based off my goals for the upcoming four weeks. I have to thank Erica for these words:
Remember your strategy. Stick to it. DO NOT LET YOUR EGO TAKE OVER. Stop being such a wuss.
Ego, stop being such a punk, okay?
Find Inspiration
I’m finding inspiration by reading the blog Mile Posts by Dorthy Beal (she happens to be the bad ass woman in the pink arm sleeves you see in the video). She’s a mom of three with a marathon p.r. is 3:11:26. She works hard and achieves her dreams. I may not ever run a 3:11 marathon, but I can work hard and I can achieve my dreams!
How do you keep your ego in check?
My ego gets a nice check everytime I see the elites and professionals in some of the NYRR races. Those people are FOR REAL and I’ve never seen anyone run like them!! Whoa.
Ohh I’m loving your posts lately – they always leave me thinking! The “watch your ego” thing is SO important – especially as a runner, I think. After a series of really good runs, I had one of the most challenging runs today. I ended up hitting my goal of getting back into double-digits in preparation for the half, but my ego was slightly bruised at how much I was working for those miles. But then I sat back and remembered – THIS is what makes us stronger as a runner, it’s pushing down those mental mind games and remembering our strengths, remembering how good it feels to work hard (even if frustrating) – and also remembering that we’re not invincible (hi ego!). Awesome post.
Thanks, Jess! xxo
I love your learning Jess! Yes, ego or not, we have to pay attention to our bods & “listen” & do what is best for us & not what we really want to do if it is going to injure us…
My ego is my worst enemy. It makes me judge my workouts and myself. It makes me pretentious. It makes me arrogant. It makes me self-loathing. It makes me harshly self-critical. I agree with Megan @ Run Like a Girl. Every time I see a pro doin’ their thing, I realize how little of a fish I really am. I’m basking in the beautiful glow of mediocrity. The best part about it is that it doesn’t matter! All that matters is that working out makes me feel great and keeps me healthy in my head and my body. Pros definitely give me an ego check.
Love this post. Definitely need to read this daily up until my marathon!
You are going to do amazing things at that race!
Absolutely true…after all I run for me so who am I really competing against? I am fairly new to running (8months) and I try to remind myself it is a process that evolves over time not a single event that just happens. Thanks for the great article, I will definitely be reading more of your Blog. Blessings.
I totally hear you on the ego. I have found for me that its a daily reprieve and practice. I gotta keep the focus back on myself, what is my intention, what do I hope to accomplish and really allowing for things to happen. I gotta put my focus on taking the action as opposed to the result. Chances are I am always surprised on how much better I do by taking this approach. It is more sane.
Oh and everytime my ego gets in the way- without fail I just say thank you for sharing and move on.
Love it!
This is great!
Enjoyment is why I run and race in the first place. When the ego gets in the way, running becomes a little less fun. Taking a reality check every so often is so important!
Thanks for sharing! And, have fun on Sunday!!!