Green!!!
‘Just make it to the light and then you can walk’ - This is the pep talk I give myself every evening while running. I’m at the bottom of the hill and all I can ever see is the red traffic light at the top…a half a mile up! I never make it. I run as fast as I can or I try to pace myself but that red light never gets closer…actually, it taunts me as it scoots back!
Tonight was amazing…I had downloaded a Benni Benassi megamix; the weather was perfect; and my spirits were high. One mile down-I turned the corner and started heading up the hill. I looked up and saw the light….red! Okay, go! I stopped looking at it. Instead, I looked at the ground right in front of me. I paid attention to my breathing and every step that I took. I didn’t even realize that I had gotten to the top of the hill until I looked up and saw…green! I made it!! I almost pulled a Rocky ‘Victory Dance’ but I hadn’t downloaded the song yet. Instead, I finished my hour.
Have you figured out that this is not really about a light? I’m 5 weeks out as of yesterday. My first competition will be on October 6…there is no stopping me. When I realized that I had to look for a plan B…that big red Light was creeping away from me. No, I don’t have everything that I need…but you know what? I need to focus on my breathing and taking this one step at a time. I’ll look down at my next move instead straining to see the end!
Instead of focusing so hard on the finish line…Run the race! My Coach is always saying that to me…it bugs me. LOL!!
What’s next in line for you? Whatever your goal is you have to learn to be patient. You have to put it into perspective and you have to slow down enough to run the race without burning yourself out. Don’t let anyone or anything (especially yourself) get in the way. There is always an obstacle…what are you going to do with it?
You can accomplish your goals…the light is red right now…but, wait…oh, there it goes! Now its green so go!
September 2, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Amen!!
September 2, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Thanks for the pep talk, it is inspiring.
September 3, 2007 at 6:02 am
ANOTHER AMAZING BLOG!
September 4, 2007 at 8:57 am
Inch by inch it’s a cinch, yard by yard it’s hard. One step at a time girl but you are doing it! Keep it up.
September 4, 2007 at 9:46 am
You found the trick to running… look at the ground and don’t think about where you are. If you keep running, you’ll eventually get to where you need to be - the finish line.
Did you dance naked when you got home?
September 4, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Very inspirational. With a mind set such as the one you have, anything is possible. Because we all know that it all starts with getting your mind right. Keep up the good work, you look excellent.
September 4, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Just what I wanted to hear!
September 8, 2007 at 12:33 pm
cheryl, you did exactly what i always do when faced with a big hill! look down and trudge on..awesome job! and october 6th is just around the corner!!!! you’re gonna make it and your’e gonna kick bootay!!