MKMMA Week 3, Post 1

This week’s opposition appeared in the form of my training program. For some unknown reason, I was not comfortable with my running. I have only been training for a few weeks, and I’m definitely not as far along as I thought I’d be by this point. I went down a pant size at Old Navy, but that wasn’t enough – I needed to see improvement in my TIME and DISTANCE.

A little backstory.

When I was a kid, I played every sport I could get my hands on. Except soccer. I excelled in volleyball, basketball, baseball (my number one favorite), and tennis (my number two). When it came to soccer, I joined my friend Rebecca’s practice ONE time. Oh dear GOD. How does anyone do this? How does she do this? Not that it was intentional, but my experience in sports had been with short, powerful bursts of energy: running a base, setting up a shot, etc. I have not needed continuous endurance required by soccer players to run down the field and back again. I certainly had a new appreciation for how hard Rebecca worked every day to improve her performance, and I was stunned at my inability to keep up with her – AT TWELVE YEARS OLD! Looking back, it seems ridiculous, but her ability and my inability has plagued me for years.

Almost 20 years later, I am thrilled to report we are still friends, even though I couldn’t keep up with her on the soccer field. She has gone on to become a sports therapist, and is actually graduating from her doctoral program in just a few short months. It is incredible what incredible people accomplish in their lifetimes when they follow their heart’s desires. I am so proud of her, and look forward to rekindling our friendship soon when I am able to travel in a moment’s notice – which is imminent! 🙂

Today. My sister is here. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am! She’s on the couch right now, working on her DMP. We just returned from our running at the local arboretum. I am delighted that she and I can be on this MKMMA journey together, because it is incredible the comfort I find being able to exchange ideas and theories with my favorite person in the world. She reminded me today that at least I am training. At least I am running. At least I am doing something about my health, taking control of my life. I’ve been eating clean for almost 6 weeks (we’ll say 5 straight weeks with 1 week’s worth of “cheat” meals mixed in) – and I have more energy than I ever have without soda. I’m drinking more water, and I am confident to say that I am a person of my word. For the last 6 years, I’ve been saying “I’m Serious!” about my health, weight loss, etc. But I continued to justify every can of Coke, every cookie, and every piece of pizza. That was the old blueprint. The old blueprint reminded me constantly that “life is hard, and you deserve a break… have a cookie!”, which is totally not conducive to a healthier lifestyle. I honestly never thought I’d see the day that I’d enjoy running. It hurts, and I’m slow, and I get winded – but Oh My Goodness… the feeling I get seeing the report of how far I went and the time it took? Unbelievable.

Like, holy cow. Thinking to myself: Do you see what you just did? YOU did that! Did you know you were capable of that? No? Well holy crap, you did it. Imagine if you tried a little more next time!

I get tempted to beat myself up about the time it takes me to run 5K, but I have so much to be proud of! I need to CELEBRATE it! And then push harder next time. I have a long way to go from 3.1 miles to 13.1 miles – I have to keep a consistent, steady pace for at absolute MAXIMUM, 3 hours and 29 minutes. My goal is to run my very first half-marathon in under 3 hours, so at least a 14 minute mile. Even if I run with a 15 or 16 minute mile, I will have finished in the allotted time – no big deal. BUT, if I don’t push myself, how will I know what I’m truly capable of accomplishing? I have to get UNCOMFORTABLE to get COMFORTABLE. If I desire a new blueprint with a healthier, slimmer version of myself, I have to put the work in. If I desire a new blueprint where I’m on the path to fulfilling my ultimate desires in life, I have to put the work in with the MKMMA. I still haven’t hit 100% of the honor requirements for the course, to be perfectly honest. Every day, I’ve completed most, but not all, of the required silent and aloud readings. Tomorrow is a new day, but I can also change today’s progress, as the day is not over yet! IMAGINE what I could accomplish in the MKMMA program, in training, and in LIFE if I DID my best instead of tried to do my best?!

I hope this finds you well. I hope you read this and realize to make a SIGNIFICANT change, you HAVE TO PUT THE WORK IN! Yeah, it is difficult trying to find your stride and perfectly schedule all of your weekly requirements when your schedule changes daily……

BUT IF IT MATTERS TO YOU – IF IT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU – IF YOU ACT LIKE (because it does!) YOUR LIFE DEPENDS UPON IT…

You will find a way.