you just need to be you

and it was awesome. really really fucking awesome. how did i go from fighting with myself about ellipticalling to running 13.1? well first of all, i haven’t stopped fighting - right now i’m lying around telling myself to get a workout in today because i’m leaving tomorrow for the holiday and there is no ellip at my parents’ house. but mostly it was just fitting in workouts. 

like, every day.

i know that sounds really annoying and nearly impossible. i also know it sounds nearly impossible to actually LIKE running. i know all the “yes yes i know it worked for you but i’ve TRIED damnit” lines going through your head right now. i was THERE.

but 1.5 weeks ago i was also at the finish line in a half.

a few tips that worked for me:

1. have a plan but don’t in any way get bogged down in it. if you’re supposed to do a run of 4 miles and you end up doing 3, dude - you got a run in! similarly, if your long run is supposed to be 7 but you really do feel like you could push a little more? do 7.5! you’ll know you did it!
2. breaks are ok, don’t beat yourself up over them. i took a week off (not intentionally, just was really depressed) before my 10K and i still beat my goal. would i do that again? probably not, but i’m sure my legs were incredibly well rested. real life happens, which is good!
3. at the same time, don’t give yourself leeway to do whatever. eating a pint of ice cream once in a while is fine. doing it three days in a row is a problem. same with exercise - missing a workout or two is fine but you really do have to get back up there on that treadmill or hop back on the bike or just hit the pavement. now. no seriously, stop reading and go do it!
4. make sure you have friends who are supporting you. more importantly? FRIENDS WITHOUT BAGGAGE. i don’t know who your people are, but my mom - god love her - does not motivate me. she stresses me out. same with my (now ex) boyfriend - he was completely well intentioned and loves playing basketball and “knew” i’d love working out too. but all i heard was “you’re fat”. make sure the people you ask to actively support you (ie, harass you when you’re not doing something, and buck you up when you’re feeling down) will do just that, and not come with other shit.
5. be proud of yourself. it’s really hard, i know, to feel like you’re doing something amazing. but you ARE. really!! even 15 minutes of the easiest cardio ever is more than most americans are going to get today, this week, this month. you are really great for taking care of yourself. i ran my half in something like 13 minute miles which sounds slow, but did i mention i FINISHED A FUCKING HALF MARATHON! DUDE! I ROCK!!

and so do you.