I’ve only run half a mile and I’m already fighting the thoughts swirling in my mind.
You can’t do this.
How much longer is this gonna take?
I want a donut.
My legs are killing me.
Walking is good enough.
And sometimes walking is good enough but not today. Today I am going to push through those thoughts. I will keep putting one foot in front of the other.
I continue for another .10 mile. And another. And another. I’ve reached the mile mark and I look back. I just ran a mile. By choice.
My feet continue to pound the treadmill as I rock out to “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson. I gain confidence with each forward step and pretty soon I’ve run another half mile.
Tomorrow I will choose to do it all over again. With each passing day I crave the adrenaline rush followed by the cold shower. And as each day passes I push myself to go farther, longer.
I run to feel strong. I run to be healthy. I run because I can.
.jpg "run")
.jpg)
What a great way to start the week. Get out there because you CAN. Thanks, Krista!!!
I love this. I have that little inner dialogue going, too. I just *barely* eeked out my run yesterday. I so wanted to stop. Now I know I’m not alone.
I’m new here. Started running in fits and starts about 7 months ago. Today my son said “mom you’re all sunburned”. And, then I knew. I’m a red-faced runner. Great quote!
Glad to know I am not the only one thinking about doughnuts while I run!
great post krista!
Amen.
I do that inner-dialogue thing too. I actually create evil baking recipes in my head while I’m running… helps pass the time!! But I totally do that … “I can’t run any farther” thing too, usually pointing out a tree in the distance and telling myself I can get to the tree, and then when I get there I tell myself I can get to the next marker, etc. It’s totally not easy for us people who are not natural runners.
Krista? Are you living inside my head?! Sometimes I think that this is the most exhausting thing about running…not the physical part, the mental part. These conversations with myself really take it out of me. Glad I’m in good company!
I can so relate…especially to the “want a donut” part!
So glad to know I’m not alone!
I’ve been struggling, which has led to slacking. I will get back out there! Thank you for the inspiration!
I’m headed in a few minutes to run, and my dialogue has already started before I even get going. Glad to hear I’m not alone, and that it’s always about keeping putting one foot in front of the other.
I think my inner monologue and your inner monologue must be related. They sound like twins, actually!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post. I am on my 8th week of my couch to 10k training. I have attempted this 25 minute run twice and both times my head was telling me that my legs and lungs had enough. I will not give up, but it is nice to know I am not alone in this struggle. Keep it up!
I am truly humbled at how this post has touched you all. I apologize ahead of time for perhaps making you crave a donut and I promise I’m not living in anyone’s head…I think. It’s so comforting to know we are all doing this together!!!
Yeah, mama! I feel that all the time and pushing through it makes it all the sweeter when I am finished!
I tried my 25 minute run again today. I made it to 18 minutes this time, before grabbing the treadmill. I decided to back up the training to 20 minutes until I can master that. Hopefully, this will eliminate any discouragement.
Thank you again for this post. Although, I never met you ladies, I could hear your voices, saying just push through to 15 minutes, now 20…. I know I will get there, it will just take a little longer than I hoped.
BTW, I also have Kelly Clarkson (Stronger) on my ipod (the song comes on around the 15-20 minute mark…imagine that!).
My first 2 miles are always brutal. Like I hate running brutal. Once I hit 3 I start to be a little nicer to myself. Stronger is such a great running song!