Sometimes when I run I get emotional. My legs are on fire, my lungs can’t breathe any harder, sweat is stinging my eyes—and I cry.
Even though I call myself a ‘runner’, I recognize that sometimes this sport that I love stinks! It’s hard! Sometimes it’s cold and dreary or hot and humid and I run anyway. I wonder why—why have I decided to torture myself today? Then, in the middle of complaining to myself I’m interrupted by a tear rolling down my cheek. Suddenly, overcome with emotion, it takes all of myself control to prevent a full-on ugly cry as I pause at a (merciful) red light.
I remember how lucky I am that I can feel all of these things. I’m alive and all of these sensations are the proof. I’ve made a choice to do this because there is so much good that can come from it! Running (and exercise) isn’t “torture”, its effort. Effort equals results.
I think of all the people I know or have known that have not had strong healthy bodies and have not been able to experience this discomfort by choice. People who have been riddled with disease or bad circumstances and are physically incapable of exercise. I think of friends and family who have succumbed to a life of self-doubt. They sit afraid to start down a new path by setting new goals due to an intense fear of failure. I watch people who know they want to change, but also know that some days will be arduous. They know that every day will be a struggle between self-doubt and perseverance, so they choose the status quo because it is familiar.
Difficult things become less challenging as they become routine. Read that again. Every person wakes up each day and decides to either push forward in pursuit of a goal, or take the easy route. Some people make it look effortless because it has become their routine through dedicated practice. As the saying goes, “nothing worth having comes easy”. As you adopt healthy habits into your lifestyle, they become your lifestyle. It doesn’t mean that it will be without struggle, it means that given time to develop, healthy habits will be incorporated into your daily routine. Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.”
You cannot be afraid of failure AND you cannot be so willing to use the label “failure”. One mistake or diversion from your plan does not equal failure…it’s just a mistake and it’s not an excuse to give up. You ate a donut for breakfast when you know you should have had oatmeal—that doesn’t mean you should give up for the rest of the day, or week. You skipped your morning workout in favor of the snooze button—that doesn’t mean you should let yourself off the hook for the rest of the day or week. Correct your mistake, and move on. Keep going. An object in motion tends to remain in motion. Don’t let up and don’t be so hard on yourself. Keep your focus. Power up!