Friday, February 17, 2012

I didn't want to...

I didn't want to, But I'm Glad I did!

This has been the feeling about all my workouts lately!  If you have read Running2Sanity for very long, you would know that I'm kind of lazy!  I would love to stay in bed all day, in my pj's and watch movies!  Many of you are not like that, but I'm sure there are many who also relate to my lazy day of pj's and movies!

Lately the idea of not going to the pool, not setting up the bike trainer, not working out with my trainer is very appealing.  However, in those moments (which have been more than I care to say) I just stop thinking about the option and just DO IT...the workout!  

While training for my marathon there were times that my long run was so daunting!  Can I get a HOLLA BACK?  Holla!  The idea of spending 2-4 hours running was a lot for this mind to take-in and on my long runs, towards the end, in those last few miles...I just had to not think about the NEGATIVITY!  I would choose to focus on positive things...it was the only thing that saw me through it!  I'm sure you can all relate!

I learned a great tool in all those difficult times and that was....to not stay in the moment and to think about the regret I would have if I had stopped before I was supposed too, walked a hard/steep hill or quit early.  During the hard parts of a hill, the final miles of a long run...it's ALL MENTAL!  The only thing I could do is visualize being finished and knowing I left it all out there, knowing that my mind and body would tell me to stop, but my will would push me to keep going!  I didn't want to have any regrets!  I still do that...I have to think about how I will feel on the other side of things...it has helped me get up countless hills, finish miles that I didn't want to run and push myself to do things I didn't think I could do!  I guess you could call it the driving force behind what I do...it keeps me in the GAME!  The feeling of accomplishment you have when you worked through the mental game and completed something that was tough is the BEST!

People always say "live in the now", "Enjoy the moment" which is important, but when it's comes to exercise...sometimes you have to live in the future...because it's the only thing that will get you to move!

It totally makes me have flash backs of my 12-minute runs in high school and giving up...and then deciding not to give up and how much better I felt when I finished!  It's those moments that make all the difference!

I didn't want to, but I'm glad I did!  I know I will feel better when I swim, go for a run, get on the bike trainer, meet my trainer...I'm always glad I have done it, once I'm done...and that what I focus on when I DON'T want to do it!  I focus on the future, the end of the workout...How I feel when I have left it all out there...

8 comments:

ajh said...

I always feel better after a workout. People I work with just think I love to exercise and it is so easy for me to do it. No Way! I would love to head home after work and sack out on the couch. It is not easy to do it but worth it.

Michelle @ www.movinitwithmichelle.com said...

I can relate to this....especially this week. There were days I just wanted to curl up in the fetal position and escape from the world...but I made myself work out 4 times so far this week, and feel better for it!
I too, love lazy days, and hope to get at least one in this weekend!

Marlene said...

Starting the workout is the hardest part, most times. It's so tempting to lust be lazy sometimes as as much as I enjoy it when I am, it does NOT make me feel good overall. I definitely enjoy a lazy day now and then... and make those workouts count the rest of the time.

YOU GO GIRL

On the Right Track said...

right with ya girlfriend...right wiht ya!

I LOVE PJ days...probably because they are far and few between...but i love them nonetheless!!!
I love your focus...and i love how your color font matches your vest!

That's a super cool headband btw as well:)

Kerrie said...

Great post! I ALWAYS think about the lovely "after" of working out: happy exhaustion, burning extra calories, making myself just a little faster and stronger each time.

Oh, and big time HOLLA!

Unknown said...

Such a great post... I think most of us go through the "I don't want to but I know I'll feel better if I do" stages throughout our training cycles. That first step out the door is always the hardest!

Cindy said...

love this post! i was feeling exactly this way yesterday...was it gonna be the couch, or was it gonna be the treadmill?? as much as the couch called me, i knew that i'd be really pissed at myself if i jammed so made myself run and i felt so much better after. i always regret NOT working out but never regret having done it!

Karen said...

I am with you 100%! There are days where it takes me hours to get out the door to go work out. Once I go I feel great but getting out there... ugh. SO GLAD I am not the only one :)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...