- Go straight to workout after work: So many times, at the end of my day, all I want to do it go home and take a nap. I've tried convincing myself that I can go home for a bit or go home and change clothes and still get out to the track, wanting to run. Somehow, the comforts of home are too inviting and tempting to leave behind once I am home.
- If you do go home, definitely don't sit on the couch! Once my butt hits the couch, it's a miracle that I get up again to go run. This has proven to be the case when either Josh or I get home before the other one and have to wait around before going to our workout location. It kind of just sucks all the inertia out of you!
- Follow the Girl Scout #1 rule: Buddy system! This could also be titled "be accountable to someone else." Even when I'm 'tired', 'sore', 'grumpy', or the infinite list of excuses I try to come up with to avoid a workout, telling Josh that I'll meet him for a workout or even that I'll do a particular workout on my own makes it so I can't skip, alter, or avoid the workout. Maybe I'm just a really good follower...
- Find something to work for: I hate running when I don't have a goal I'm working towards. For those few years after college, I allowed myself to get horribly out of shape. Backpacking was a difficult task and the idea of running the 2.5 loop around our house sounded miserable. Then, I did a totally crazy thing and signed up half marathon. That certainly got my butt in gear!
Attempting to high jump - Find something you enjoy doing: You know that half marathon I just mentioned? Yeah, I was miserable training for it! Running miles was probably the most boring thing I can think to do. And somehow since then, I forgot that I felt that way until Courtney reminded me how much I complained and resented my long runs. Running distance just isn't something I enjoy. Sorry Josh, I tried! But sprinting, oh man, I'm never happier! The track has become my home and I feel a strange calmness when I step foot there. I love jumping too. Coming back to track made me realize how much I loved it. And hopefully, I can keep doing it for a little while at least! During some of our all-comer meets, we saw many people well into their 70s still training and still competing. While I'm not sure if that is how long my body will allow me to do it, I certainly hope I can keep this up for at least a few more years.
- Think of the plan in small chunks/a day at a time: During the off-season, it's really easy to get frustrated or overwhelmed with the amount of weeks and work to do until the next track meet. I have to constantly remind myself of my big picture goals to not feel so smothered by the amount of work. I shared my anxiety with Josh and he said 'well of course a whole season of workouts can be overwhelming. You can't think of it like that.' So I try really hard not to. With our training broken up into 3 weeks 'on' and 1 week 'off', it's easier to look at the training in 4 week blocks. It's a lot more manageable to think of the 10 month season in 4 week blocks. (Note: No, I am not counting down the 8 weeks until our first all-comer meet...)
- Make your goal a priority: There are so many temptations in life. This time of year, that fact is especially true. "It's the holidays." "____ is in town." "Try one more cookie or one more glass of wine." "Don't you have fun anymore?" "Boring!" All statements I have heard when I mention I can't or won't. And those temptations are not always external. My sweet tooth is a pretty convincing negotiator. Last season, I remember very clearly a workout soon after Christmas. I totally sucked. I couldn't hit my times, my form was all out of whack, and I couldn't complete all the reps. Mind you, this was not a hard workout. The weeks of indulging in cookies, wine, pie, 3rd helpings of stuffing (did I mention I love to eat?), not sleeping had finally added up to a big crash on that day. This holiday season, my goal is to not allow myself to get to that point. A little pie, sure, but a whole pie? I'll try to avoid that this year. Crossing fingers that I succeed!
- Get in the habit: Getting into shape is the worst! It hurts and is super hard. Being is shape is waaay easier. Also, now that I've started, it's really hard to take a few days off. Restarting after 1 day off is doable, but once it starts being 3 days or 6 days or 2 weeks... forget it! It's a lot easier to sit on the couch then. I have to remind myself that it's an easy trap to fall into when I'm feeling tired. Gotta love those running endorphins!
- Maintain your own personal Rocky montage: When I start thinking negative, especially in the middle of a workout, I try to flip my thinking. This is by far my biggest weakness!! Staying strong mentally is the part that I struggle with the most. Every workout, every hurdle (literally and figuratively) I try to work on it. Some days, I'm better at it than others. A lot of times, I just replay Coach Dee saying "You gotta put in the work" to get me through that last rep. Other times, I imagine the other women training with that extra effort or I visually see them in front of me to drive me faster. And everyone needs that song for the extra boost of motivation! (Mine: "Headstrong" Trapt... has been since high school for some reason... "Chariots of Fire" anyone?)
Eye of the tiger
As I previously stated, I'm not perfect in any of these. I give into temptations and other motivations just as easily. However, these are the things I try to put into place to make it so I can succeed and achieve my goals. Anyone have other suggestions that work for you?
