Setting Goals (And Keeping Them)

I just completed my long run for the week. Woohoo!! It was a bit windy and much hillier than I anticipated, but I did it! Currently, I am training for a half marathon at the end of May. I've trained for races before, but for some reason, I am more focused this time around. My current running mantra: "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you." (No, I didn't come up with that on my own.) Basically, I want to run better than I have before; I want to prove to myself that I can change by way of new challenges.

In order to be a good runner, it's important to fuel your body. Which means, I've cut out processed foods and been focusing on eating clean. I haven't always had a very good relationship with food, and I am learning to be gentle with myself. I make mistakes, but I'm trying much harder than I have before, and I'm feeling much better -- both physically and mentally. The way I've been holding myself accountable is by way of a challenge group on Facebook. Basically, we just report to the group what we eat each day, along with water intake and exercise. While my focus does seem greater, it's good to have a group that offers support. The idea of intuitive eating and putting real foods in my body that will fuel me has really been the driving force for me during this challenge.

As a high school teacher, we discuss goal setting quite a bit. The dreadful question "Where do you see yourself in five years?" seems to pop up in this process. While it is a good idea to think this through, I've learned that I can't make those decisions for someone else. I can nag, nag, nag, but if a student doesn't have the drive to achieve certain goals, that's his or her decision. Until someone really wants to set goals and make a change, it won't happen until that person is ready. I have a good friend that recently lost a significant amount of weight. I asked her what made her decide to make a change. There was a specific moment when she realized that she could no longer live with the extra weight; she decided to make a change. She set out on a challenge, and she continues to grow and change. What a great feeling!

Lastly, as a runner, it's hard not to get discouraged at times. For me, I'm not terribly fast. I wasn't born a runner, so it is a little bit more challenging compared to others. But the fact is, it's not about others. My race is just that: mine. Each time I go out, I am thankful for the ability to run. I try to soak in the scenery and enjoy the fact that my legs are able to move. Running is one of the aspects of my life that makes me feel normal. I'm proud to be a part of the running family and plan on continuing to push myself. When I want to quit, I thank God for the gift of running.