8 a.m. Hubby asks, “Are you ready for go for our run?”
“Yes, but give me a few minutes,” which was total classic avoidance/procrastination technique. I commenced looking for immunization records, which seemed like a logical thing to do on a Sunday morning when you are facing six miles on the coast with enough heat and humidity to down you in five minutes.
10 a.m. Hubby repeats, “Honey, are you ready?”
Darn, I guess I should get this over and done with. “Yes, honey, I am SO ready,” I bellowed out with enthusiasm and total fakeness.
Running is a total head trip. Don’t get me wrong. It takes some conditioning and muscle to pull off six miles, but that can be obtained long before you learn to master your noggin’.
However, that’s the fun part – the mastering of your thinking. If I were to buy into what my mind says, I would have never completed a marathon, because it tried to convince me that such a feat was hilarious and totally impossible. I would not have signed up to run the Chicago Marathon on 10/10/10 (how cool is that?), because, again, the head said there was no way I could do it again.
In fact, come to think of it, I wouldn’t have done anything momentous in my life, because that seems to be when the head trip always begins. It’s knowing how to navigate such mental baggage that brings success and satisfaction.
Once I had my tennis shoes on, I decided to make the next hour fun, creating mantras to get me to my destination.
Here are the phrases that powered me through my head trip:
You go girl!!!!!
I am becoming stronger.
I amaze myself.
If an 80 year old can do this then so can I.
I love sweating. It is so cleansing.
U2 Rocks!!!!
That’s what I’m talking about!
It is going to feel so fabulous once I finish.
I am creating my best body ever!
Just to that next marker (and repeat until you get to where you are going.)
I love that I can do this.
I feel so alive.
You are rocking it.
My legs are powerful.
I am living creatively.
I am living intentionally.
I love doing what I say I’m going to do.
The best stuff in life often meets the most resistance.
These people are cheering me on (as I ran along a busy highway).
I can pass my husband.
This is what life is made of.
I can feel the universe supporting me.
Running is where it’s at.
I love fully engaging in my life.
I am ruling my own little world.
The cool thing about these mantras is that they really did help me get through a tough run, but even better, the more I said them, the more I felt them as energy in my body. The words became things in the form of physical energy, which will grow muscle, help power me through a marathon and, ultimately, the words will help me overcome the head trip.
Words, mantras, thoughts, beliefs…..all become things.
As I’m always looking for inspiration, I’d love to hear how you handle your own head trips, whether it’s running or preparing for an exam.
Leave your comments below, and include your own groovy mantras!
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I am so with you….had several similar mantras (I AM Woman Who Runs! is my favorite) as I fought my way up the hills here in Asheville. Congrats to you for doing it!
I am considering Chicago on 10/10/10. (Have to raise $1500 to do it.) But not sure about the time/distance. If I get to mile 16 in the training (I am on a plan!) I will do it. If I do….wanna meet somewhere and run an 18 or 20-miler together….
O.k. I needed this one tonight. I had a yoga class this a.m. and came home just exhausted – this is NOT me – I just don’t get exhausted. I planned a Stability Ball class this afternoon as usual, but mid-afternoon I started hearing in my head – “listen to your body, listen to your body” – and you know what, my body said – “don’t be obsessive – you were up waaaayy too late last night and you’re tired today. Rest” – and I did and now I’ve read this post and I’m quite certain that I’ll be up and moving after a good night’s sleep tonight. Thanks as always………
Dianna
Oh, the Universe loves me and I love Tonya – just what I needed to hear today. A friend just talked me into doing a 1/2 marathon, and while training (I use that term loosely as I’m unfortunately, um… deconditioned …right now) it just felt *so hard.* It really is a mind game, I rarely hear people talk about that aspect. Love the mantras! Thanks Tonya.
And I love Karen!!!! Thanks girl. As Dianna says in her reply, listen to your body. The mind will play tricks on you, but the body never lies. YOu are going to do great!!! Keep me posted.