Last weekend I accomplished my running goal for 2013.
I ran a timed 10 km race. I wasn’t first, but
When I
started running two years ago I couldn’t even run four minutes in a stretch.
It’s been a lengthy training and strengthening process and I’ve learned
a few useful tidbits on the journey.
Here are some lessons gleaned from the last two years.
1. Endurance is key, not
speed - keep a slow steady pace
2. When you think you can’t
go any further…you can
3. There are things to be
thankful for even in the midst of pain
4. To get your mind off your
struggles, talk to God
5. Set incremental goals
6. Celebrate small
achievements
7. Psychological
discouragement will come – plan in advance how to defeat it
8. Positive thoughts
energize, negative thoughts sap strength
9. Perseverance in the midst
of trials will get you to the finish line
10. Have a strategy for long
term success – if you don’t have a plan you’ll never reach the goal
11. Make time for what’s
important. Don’t compromise that time.
12. Achieving a goal takes
discipline. Keep showing up, even when
you don’t want to
13. When you have a problem,
don’t blame outside influences, do a self-assessment and see if the problem
starts with you.
14. Cheer people on, it keeps them
going
15. When you’re 3 km from
home, in desperate need of a bathroom, and your muscles don’t want to work
anymore, don’t quit. The
fastest way to the bathroom is to keeping running.
I’m
not sure if that last one is particularly helpful, but it’s certainly true!
I’ve expanded on some of these lessons over the last two years in earlier posts. You can find them under "Running" in the archive or by following these links:
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:
Are
there lessons on this list you can apply in your life? Please share your thoughts by clicking on
comments below.
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