07/17/2024
Wellness Wednesday:
I am training for my first ultra marathon. I get my running gear and advice from the amazing folks at Swag's Sports Shoes--another southend legendary business. I have now entered the distance where it is more of a mind game than a physical limitations game. I have a ton of excuses to not even start my long runs, quit in the middle, let my mind win, etc. So I asked one their managers what advice has gotten them through that slump on ultra marathons. And what she said really stopped my in my tracks at first.
"When you are struggling, think about the worst thing you have ever experienced in life. Whether it is a death, a near-death experience, loss of your home, a traumatic event, etc. and remind yourself, you survived that too. There is always a finish line. No matter how awful it is, there is always a finish line. ANd the only way to get there, is to get there."
This morning, I set out to knock out 15-18 miles, in the pouring rain, at 530 am when most of the world was still comfortably nestled in their beds. I didn't want to. I scrolled on facebook, I played with the dog, and then I reminded myself, "Look self, the only way you will get to the last mile is to start the first one!" and so I laced up (the wrong pair) my shoes, put my running gear and nutrition pack on, and hit the sidewalk. Along the route, I kept reminding myself I have survived every horrible day and experience in my life so far, and this run doesn't even compare to those. I got this!
And this is a great reminder, not just for my long runs, but for life in general. There is always a finish line, and the only way to get there is to get there. You've survived everything thus far, just keep pushing.
The only way to get there is to get there.