Number 1 on the resolution list this year!
I figured that as it is New Year’s Eve that I should write the obligatory post about resolutions. Which makes it sounds like I hate resolutions and I so don’t!! They are awesome and I think I have cranked out 8 for 2014 so far. Boy am I motivated this year (compared to last year when I could come up with only one – flossing my teeth daily – and then proceeded to never do it).
So yes, resolutions.
But then I had two shit runs two days in a row and I really wanted to write about that instead because it was a case of my head absolutely killing me out there. I finally understand what people mean when they say running is a bitch of mistress. Do they say that? In my head they do. (Btw I just googled it and they don’t). Whatevs. Because I know her and SHE IS.
Anyway, it was hard.
And then I realised that the running and resolutions, well they are related. Stay with me. Here’s how it goes.
Sunday I got up at 6am while on holiday I’ll have you know and died 20 mins into my 28 min run. I had run 28 mins straight no problem my two runs before this so I don’t know what was going on. We were about 5 hours up the coast and it was really hot really early in the day so I put it down to that. No biggie.
I decided to repeat the run again yesterday afternoon once we got home. It was actually rather cool for a summer’s day so can’t blame the climate this time. Anyway 8 mins in I pulled the pin. EIGHT MINUTES. What the hell is wrong with me???
I have no idea but what I do know is that it is just a phase. I’ve had shit running days before and they pass. I just have to keep at it. Keep on pounding, keep on pounding. And I’ll keep on doing that 28 min run until I finish the damn thing (day 3 of week 8 couch to 5k btw – one more week to go after this!). Eventually it will feel easy again and I’ll blitz it and even improve my speed. The situation is only temporary.
And this is how we need to treat our New Year’s resolutions, whatever they are. So often we start vigorously and then we have a bad day and we stop. Or we feel sick and we don’t go to the gym. Or we are at a party and eat our weight in cakes, cheese and sugar. Or we get drunk and light a cigarette because they go so well with drinking. And we tell ourselves oh well, I’ve screwed it all up now, no point in continuing.
Which is WRONG. So so so so WRONG.
The way to make a permanent change is to just keep on doing the thing, whatever that thing is. Do it when it sucks and then you’ll also get to do it when it feels good. Just keep doing. And I figure that if I can achieve that with my running then I can achieve it with everything else on my list. Why not?
You know, running might be a bitch of a mistress but she is also one hell of a teacher. I feel like hugging her and punching her in the face, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. It’s a bundle of slightly violent and conflicting emotions over here but it works. Trust me. I’m OK.
Good luck with those resolutions folks! I’m super excited about mine (yes, all 8 of them!). It’s going to be a cracker of a year. I can feel it.
See you all in 2014!
Rachael xo
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I post Tuesday and Thursdays. Don’t forget to pop in and say hi! I love hearing from you.
PS. I’m still taking submissions on bonding with baby if you are wanting to send something in. My aim is to get the follow up piece out late January so there is still time people, still time.
