Sometimes all you need is a little motivation to get out the door, whether it’s the 5am alarm clock, or the after work run that you choose over the lure of happy hour cocktails.
This quote, from an old Nike ad, was one of my favorites in high school. It hung on my bathroom mirror, reminding me that, like with all things, it takes a little discomfort to do anything truly great. For me, one of the greatest feelings in the world is the accomplishment of reaching the top of a mountain, of finishing a run workout, of taking yourself places only attainable through hard work and dedication.
Is it just the endorphins that get me going? Sometimes. But it’s also the journey. It’s knowing that each workout draws me closer to my goals. Like my swim coach, Gerry Rodrigues says, “there are no short cuts.” Just taking steps – sometimes baby steps and sometimes steps that feel like they’re going in the wrong direction – is what it takes to make progress.
Right now, I’m on a journey with the 2012 season and beyond in mind. A lot of training days lie between now and my first race day. Some days are tougher than others, and this morning was one such morning. Luckily some good training partners and the purplepatch journey got me out the door, and I’m feeling good for the rest of the day, even if I am still at the bottom of this mountain.
Follow Jennifer on: