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I ran a local 5k race this past weekend and instead of celebrating my finish, I found myself consumed by negative thoughts about my performance. I obsessed over how slow I ran, how people pushing baby joggers (double ones!) passed me, and that I couldn’t find my focus. At one point I found myself thinking “I’m not even having fun and I paid money to do this!”.
I was even more frustrated at how tired I was after just a mere 5k. I used to run marathons, how could I let 3.1 miles wipe me out? Running used to be my greatest joy and yet now it is has become a major stressor.
After wasting way too much of my weekend dwelling on the negative, I stopped and realized that I need to look at the positive side of things. Less than one year ago I had comprehensive knee surgery and worried I would never be able to run again. I had a baby two months ago, so I have not been running over the past year and should not expect my body to be able to pick up right where it left off.
Negative thoughts like these serve absolutely no purpose! They are not going to help me lose weight nor make me a faster runner.
Was my time slower than my personal best time from 3 years ago? Sure it was.
Does that really matter? Of course not.
I’ve had a lot of life happen in the past 3 years and although I don’t want to use that as an excuse, it has affected my running and training. I need to use this opportunity to re-up my commitment to getting back into pre-baby shape.
How am I going to do this? With consistent exercise and a cleaner diet.
Will I have bad days? Probably.
Will I dwell on it and give up on my goals? NO!
My goal is to better my time (and attitude!) in my next 5k race. I’ve signed up for one in 3 weeks. I will achieve my goal by running at least 3 times a week and eating better.
I can do this. I will do this.
Take out a piece of paper right now and write down a fitness goal for yourself.
How are you going to go about achieving it?
Now you have a written goal and a plan, what is stopping you?
NOTHING!
Do not let any negative thoughts stand in your way.
Put your plan in action and get it done.
Written on Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 2:34 am
Filed under about me.
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October 30th, 2007 at 11:44 am
That attitude will take you far. I suspect it’s part of how you got to the point of being able to run marathons.
Sure a 5k is a step down but this is a journey and you’ve just accomplished something (running a 5k) that many, many of us are aspiring to. I’ve set a goal to run in one this spring but I have a lot of work to do to get to that point.
You are already there. Congratulations!
October 30th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
A setback is the hardest part about being goal oriented, and you’ve got the right attitude.
I’ve had to suffer through the initial frustration, but then try to recalibrate my goals, so that the next week, instead of benching 30 lbs less than I did 3 months ago, I see it as benching 5 lbs more than the week before.
October 31st, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Great advice. I ran the LA Marathon a few years ago, trying to qualify for Boston. It was such a hard marathon and I didn’t make my time (the last 4 miles were uphill!). I was bummed about my marathon, until my husband said “you ran the best marathon of anyone I know today”. He was right, instead of being mad about my time, I should be proud having finished a tough race.
November 1st, 2007 at 2:38 am
You ran a 5k two months after having a baby?!!! You go girl! Sure, it’s going to be normal to have those negative thoughts, but you’re on the right track. Positive, Positive, Positive Vibes are being sent your way. I think it’s awesome that you’ve been able to get those running shoes on and get out the door. We are our hardest critics. You’re doing a great job.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:48 pm
thanks all!
Cindy, you are right. We are our hardest critics!
November 6th, 2007 at 3:31 am
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November 11th, 2007 at 2:24 am
I think it’s awesome that you ran that race, and also that you’ve been able to look back and realize all the positives about it — even though you weren’t feeling so great at the time. You’re right; even though you’ve been better and faster in the past, you had a lot of different factors involved this time…and you STILL did it! I think that deserves some congratulatins (especially since there are so many able-bodied people who would never consider running a 5k at all!). Great job!
December 4th, 2007 at 4:19 am
[...] last month when I ran a 5k and was a little disappointed with my finishing time? I promised to sign up for another race and I [...]