More Than Capable
Last Friday as I started my final long run before the 50K, I wasn't feeling 100%. I had felt a cold coming on - I was exhausted and sneezing a lot.
On top of that, I was mega sore thanks to Lifeforce Fitness on Wednesday and the 200 (in a row) crunch tucks Jay had us do on top of lunging up a hill TWICE. I mean seriously, my entire stomach hurt and my butt felt every step I took. Don't get me wrong, I love a good challenge, but DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) was getting the best of me.
As I cranked away at the 10 miles on my plan, I thought about how amazing the body is. I mean, by all accounts, I'd be better off laying on the couch or doing some light yoga. But I was determined and my body was capable.
In the worst of circumstances, your body can withstand a whole heck of a lot even when your mind says "this is too hard."
That goes for the days you don't want to head out for a run or hit the gym. It goes for that last repeat on the track when you feel like your tank is empty. It goes for those insanely hard burpees your instructor makes you do.
Hell yes, they're hard. But are you incapable of doing them all to the best of your ability? Nope.
I think this theory can also be applied to what we're mentally capable of. There are a lot of times I think "I'm not smart enough to figure that out. Or, I could never do X for a career." But really, I'm selling myself short.
Sure, some of us are better suited to run long distances over sprints. And similarly, some of us are meant to treat patients all day, while others crank out computer code. It doesn't mean we can't get better at the thing that challenges us.
The moral of the story: don't sell yourself short. Holding back and wondering will leave you with just that. You'll never know. Not trying is safe, but where does it get us? After all, if I sat on the couch every Saturday I thought my long run would be too hard, I'd never be prepared to run a marathon.
What's one thing you tell yourself you can't do when deep down you know you can?
On top of that, I was mega sore thanks to Lifeforce Fitness on Wednesday and the 200 (in a row) crunch tucks Jay had us do on top of lunging up a hill TWICE. I mean seriously, my entire stomach hurt and my butt felt every step I took. Don't get me wrong, I love a good challenge, but DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) was getting the best of me.
As I cranked away at the 10 miles on my plan, I thought about how amazing the body is. I mean, by all accounts, I'd be better off laying on the couch or doing some light yoga. But I was determined and my body was capable.
In the worst of circumstances, your body can withstand a whole heck of a lot even when your mind says "this is too hard."
That goes for the days you don't want to head out for a run or hit the gym. It goes for that last repeat on the track when you feel like your tank is empty. It goes for those insanely hard burpees your instructor makes you do.
Hell yes, they're hard. But are you incapable of doing them all to the best of your ability? Nope.
I think this theory can also be applied to what we're mentally capable of. There are a lot of times I think "I'm not smart enough to figure that out. Or, I could never do X for a career." But really, I'm selling myself short.
Sure, some of us are better suited to run long distances over sprints. And similarly, some of us are meant to treat patients all day, while others crank out computer code. It doesn't mean we can't get better at the thing that challenges us.
The moral of the story: don't sell yourself short. Holding back and wondering will leave you with just that. You'll never know. Not trying is safe, but where does it get us? After all, if I sat on the couch every Saturday I thought my long run would be too hard, I'd never be prepared to run a marathon.
What's one thing you tell yourself you can't do when deep down you know you can?
Comments
That being said, if I don't make my time goal, I don't want to be too mad at myself. I still want to really focus on having a great run and enjoying myself in Victoria! So if a sub-2 half isn't in the cards for THIS race that doesn't mean I CAN'T do it. If that makes sense :)
After I left that bad job I had before, I really doubted msyelf and thought that maybe the confident smart girl I used to be got lost for ever. But I feel back to myself now that I am back working for a great compnay in a position that is a perfect fit for me!