My training log for my half marathon!

 

January is all about goal setting.  The rest of the year you have to work to complete them!

It is so easy to say “I am going to do something” but the action is the real test of determination.  I said I wanted to run a half marathon about 6 weeks ago.  I was resolved to not think of myself as a weak back surgery survivor.  6 years ago I could not walk.  I have worked very hard to be the person who not only says, have a dream, set a goal and make it happen, I believe we are the example.  I consider it a privilege that I get to interact with so many women.  Our partnership is very unique.  I enjoy the new Consultant calls as much as time with our Success Coach leaders.  One common thread I think we all have is the desire versus the fear of failing.

I wanted to share with you a little about my training story for the next two months until I actually do the race in hopes it will inspire you to go after your dreams.

My first time on a treadmill was last February, 2011. I let Ron talk me into going to the gym. I picked St. Johns fitness center because it is part of a medical clinic and I thought if I feel over dead they could revive me!  My trainer was Suzie.  She is a nice person and thin as a stick!  I did not want to like her, but I did. I liked how she was patient with me and my complaining and doubts.  She just kept saying “You got this”. I hope you have someone in your life who tells you that too.

We went from the treadmill to the elliptical. I was pretty excited the first time I could do 10 minutes on that stupid thing and 15 on the treadmill.  25 minutes work out and I was worn out!   Was I afraid?  You bet!  What if I put my back out and had to have surgery again?  What if I really looked as bad in my work out clothes as I thought I did!  But I persevered.

Next they suggested I do a spin class.  I like to bike.  Once in class I realized it was no bike ride in the park!  They turned out the lights and turned up the music.  Boy these people were intense. I wondered what I was doing here and if they made padded shorts in my size!  My first class as we were leaving I thought I had stepped in a pot hole in the parking lot, but in reality my legs had given out.  Ron gave me a hand to the car and told me how proud he was of me.  I hope you have someone who tells you they are proud of you too.

Then the next step was boot camp.  I needed a new challenge.  What a challenge it was, a challenge not to throw up!  We ran, did pushups, sit ups, weights and ran again.  The first time we did pushups Suzie was there again.  She helped me with my form and encouraged me and mercifully told me to stop after 5!  Everyone else did 3 sets of 20.  I ran slower, had less muscle mass than anyone, I was the weak link. I was not used to that. I had to remind myself I was giving it my best and I was in a safe environment to get stronger.  Again Suzie would say “Nancy, you got this”.  And again I would get up at 5 am for my next boot camp.  I made it through the 6 week boot camp just in time for convention summer of 2011.  I had so much energy and could give more to the Consultants who I love. I could give more to my family. I was seeing the pay off.

Fast forward to my new challenge a ½ marathon in Little Rock in March.  The training is grueling and I have heard people loose toe nails.  Ugh what an ugly sport running could be until I found they did have cute clothes.  My outfit is stinking cute as you can see!

Today I ran farther than I have ever run before in my life, 7 miles.  That is over half of my 13.1 miles I will be running in 2 short months.   I am sitting here writing this a little sore, yes, but that is what Dead Sea Salts are for, and a little proud of myself.  My son Alex, who is 18 ys old, is running the race with us. Today, half way though he was talking about his legs hurting a bit and then he said I am not as strong as you are Mom.  WOW.  He is much faster and younger I never knew how strong he thought I was. I had become stronger on the outside and inside.

You really can do more than you think.  You never know who you are influencing.  You start out with a big goal for yourself and the benefit is you inspire others to go for their dreams too.  My children know the sky is the limit with their goals.  Alex watched as I underwent surgery and could not walk.  All of the fear of a 5 hour surgery and recovery for months.  Now we just ran 7 miles together and it feels great.

I hope you will go ahead and set a crazy, big, amazing goal in your life, like earning the cruise, or becoming debt free.  It will take effort, time and energy but at the end of the day you can say I am worth it!

Soak up Success

Nancy

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