"It hurts up to a point and then it doesn't get any worse."
~Ann Trason, ultrarunner
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Monday, March 4
Morning motivation: reader favorite
This week's morning motivation first appeared more than a year ago, and remains a reader favorite:
"It hurts up to a point and then it doesn't get any worse."
"It hurts up to a point and then it doesn't get any worse."
Monday, February 25
Morning motivation: give 100% (or not)
Whatever you do, give 100%.
(Unless you're giving blood.)
Under what other conditions are you happy to give less than 100%?
(Unless you're giving blood.)
Under what other conditions are you happy to give less than 100%?
Monday, February 18
Morning motivation (Play ball!)
Today's motivation is in honor of baseball spring training and Babe Ruth's famous quote (grammar issues and all):
"Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."
Monday, February 4
Monday, January 28
Monday, January 21
Monday, January 14
Morning motivation (from Austin)
Sometimes motivation comes in strange packages...
Today's excellent advice is brought to you by bridge graffiti in Austin, Texas...
Today's excellent advice is brought to you by bridge graffiti in Austin, Texas...
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| Never Give Up |
Monday, December 17
Morning motivation
A series of life events recently reminded me of words of wisdom a co-worker spoke many years ago:
Each of the major steps we take in life is scary... moving out of a family home, starting a career, buying a house, moving to a new city, entering a relationship, ending a relationship, having kids, adopting kids, running a first 5k/half/marathon/triathlon, changing a career, traveling abroad, taking a leave of absence to pursue a lifelong dream...
All of those things are scary.
Yet all are richly rewarding experiences.
Likewise, we should not make decisions just because we are scared of what might happen otherwise. We shouldn't stay still just because the devil we know is better than the devil we don't.
So, it's with that in mind that today's morning motivation is to get out and do one productive thing that scares you... just one little thing out of your comfort zone.
... and when you do, post a comment and let us know what you conquered today!
"If something scared me, I knew I should probably do it."The speaker is a successful professional who traveled the world and later in life adopted two children. Heck, she's a busy lady. She might not even remember saying those words. But they stuck with me.
Each of the major steps we take in life is scary... moving out of a family home, starting a career, buying a house, moving to a new city, entering a relationship, ending a relationship, having kids, adopting kids, running a first 5k/half/marathon/triathlon, changing a career, traveling abroad, taking a leave of absence to pursue a lifelong dream...
All of those things are scary.
Yet all are richly rewarding experiences.
Likewise, we should not make decisions just because we are scared of what might happen otherwise. We shouldn't stay still just because the devil we know is better than the devil we don't.
So, it's with that in mind that today's morning motivation is to get out and do one productive thing that scares you... just one little thing out of your comfort zone.
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... and when you do, post a comment and let us know what you conquered today!
Monday, December 3
Morning motivation
Today's motivation...
"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction."
George Lorimer
"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction."
George Lorimer
Wednesday, November 28
Sleep in
One of the things I love (and miss) about San Diego is the daily surf report broadcast on local radio stations. My favorite is the FM 949 "Authentic Surf Report," hosted by a surfer known as "Bird."
Not being a surfer, I always listened for the "small" surf days. Bad surf reports were my cue to get to the beach before sunset. Ankle-slappers equate to perfect conditions for snorkeling or kayaking - my watersports of choice.
When I was in San Diego for work a couple of weeks ago, I flipped on the radio in my hotel room just in time to hear the day's report.
With a prediction of small, choppy waves, conditions were not looking good for surfers. The announcer's advice:
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| Image source |
Not being a surfer, I always listened for the "small" surf days. Bad surf reports were my cue to get to the beach before sunset. Ankle-slappers equate to perfect conditions for snorkeling or kayaking - my watersports of choice.
When I was in San Diego for work a couple of weeks ago, I flipped on the radio in my hotel room just in time to hear the day's report.
With a prediction of small, choppy waves, conditions were not looking good for surfers. The announcer's advice:
Sleep in, go to work early, or do something more constructive.
The comment made me smile. I'm not even really sure why...
Maybe it was the acknowledgement that runners and surfers are in the same boat because our passions aren't seen as productive. (Though I beg to differ with that common assessment!)
Maybe it was the feeling of a common bond, since surfers (like runners) will set an early alarm clock and bound out of bed at dawn just to carve out an extra hour of time for their sport.
Maybe it was the acknowledgement that runners and surfers are in the same boat because our passions aren't seen as productive. (Though I beg to differ with that common assessment!)
Maybe it was the feeling of a common bond, since surfers (like runners) will set an early alarm clock and bound out of bed at dawn just to carve out an extra hour of time for their sport.
Either way, the "sleep in" comment made my day.
It's just too bad I couldn't clear my afternoon calendar to go kayaking.
What personal passion keeps you from sleeping in?
It's just too bad I couldn't clear my afternoon calendar to go kayaking.
What personal passion keeps you from sleeping in?
Monday, November 19
Morning motivation
Yesterday morning, my training calendar mocked me from the refrigerator door.
And still the shoes sat there.
I'm sure you know where this is going, but 15 minutes into the run, I realized I felt fine. A little tired. A little hungry. But fine. No pain. No soreness. No lead legs.
I ran for the whole two hours, and celebrated with a long, hot shower, and a gigantic post-run brunch.
My mind nearly prevented me from going on what was a very successful long run. My mind thought "two hours" and balked, because that seemed so... l o n g. But when I broke the task up into just a small first step, and then a few more, it didn't seem so bad after all.
I wonder, if I stayed home, would I have the same feeling of accomplishment?
(Probably not.)
Would I have felt like a wuss?
(Probably.)
The moral of this story:
Get out the door. Some days that's the hardest part.
What motivates you when you need an extra push?
*A Twitter nudge from @TheStoutRunner and a Facebook comment from Erica helped with my motivation. True story.
"Run!" It said.But after much hemming and hawing, I pulled on a pair of running shorts and a sports bra, grabbed my sunglasses, and sat on the bottom step of my hallway stairs, staring at my shoes. I checked email. I Tweeted. I read a news article. In short, I procrastinated.
"My legs are tired!" I replied.
"Run!" It repeated.
"I hiked all afternoon yesterday. I should reschedule." I whined.
And still the shoes sat there.
There is an expression among even the most advanced runners that getting your shoes on is the hardest part of any workout.Finally, I decided that I'd go out and run for 15 minutes.* Just 15 minutes. If my legs truly felt worn out, I could postpone my 2-hour long run by a day. If, however, the legs felt good, I'd keep going and wouldn't come home until at least 120 minutes passed.
Kathrine Switzer
I'm sure you know where this is going, but 15 minutes into the run, I realized I felt fine. A little tired. A little hungry. But fine. No pain. No soreness. No lead legs.
I ran for the whole two hours, and celebrated with a long, hot shower, and a gigantic post-run brunch.
My mind nearly prevented me from going on what was a very successful long run. My mind thought "two hours" and balked, because that seemed so... l o n g. But when I broke the task up into just a small first step, and then a few more, it didn't seem so bad after all.
I wonder, if I stayed home, would I have the same feeling of accomplishment?
(Probably not.)
Would I have felt like a wuss?
(Probably.)
The moral of this story:
Get out the door. Some days that's the hardest part.
What motivates you when you need an extra push?
*A Twitter nudge from @TheStoutRunner and a Facebook comment from Erica helped with my motivation. True story.
Monday, November 12
Morning motivation
Today's motivating force is a little tongue in cheek...
Enjoy!
What's on your get-it-done list this week?
Enjoy!
What's on your get-it-done list this week?
Monday, November 5
Morning motivation
If the stories of random acts of kindness in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, and registered New York City marathon runners making the best of their cancelled-marathon situation don't warm your heart and inspire you to go out and do something great today, I don't know what will...
Have a great week, friends!
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| New Jersey children start a hot chocolate stand to collect money for Red Cross hurricane relief efforts Image source |
Have a great week, friends!
Monday, October 29
Morning motivation
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| There is no such thing as bad weather only... ... soft people. ... inappropriate clothing. ... different kinds of good weather. |
So for those of you in Sandy's path, I wish you safe passage through the storm.
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| Source: Uploaded by user via Beth on Pinterest |
What are you doing sitting inside? It's a beautiful day!
Get out and play!
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| Source: someecards.com via Jeanne on Pinterest |
What bad weather will keep you indoors?
Monday, October 22
Monday, October 15
Morning motivation
5 months.
2,500 miles traveled on foot.
More than 300,000 feet of total elevation gain/loss over the course of the trek.
And a few words of wisdom learned from the journey...
The video is about 90 seconds long, and the parting thoughts are worth the wait (there's an advertisement that plays first).
Happy Monday, all!
2,500 miles traveled on foot.
More than 300,000 feet of total elevation gain/loss over the course of the trek.
And a few words of wisdom learned from the journey...
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| Hiking from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail (video) |
Happy Monday, all!
Monday, October 8
Monday, October 1
Morning motivation
Today's motivation is more than an inspirational meme.
Def Leppard. Beastie Boys. Twisted Sister. Journey. Van Halen. Salt 'n' Peppa. Joan Jett. Run D.M.C. Starship. And, of course, Queen. All in one show.
Hubby and I went to see 1980s cover band The Molly Ringwalds. For two hours we danced like no one was watching. Hubby even downloaded a cigarette lighter app so we could wave lights in the air the way we would have during a rock ballad at a concert in the late '80s. (But this is 2012 not 1982. No one carries a lighter anymore.)
Then most of the band left the stage.
Spotlights converged on the lone remaining singer as he started a call-and-response homage to the late Freddy Mercury. If you were sentient in the mid 1980s, or if you watched the Olympic closing ceremonies this summer, you know what I mean.
In 1986 Freddie Mercury belted out a goosebump-inducing call-and-response with the crowd at Wembley Stadium. Even as he sang his heart out, Mercury was already suffering serious health problems from HIV/AIDS. He passed away a mere five years later. But, even knowing the history, what affects me most about that particular performance is the audience singing as one.
So on Saturday night, listening to the audience around me, all voices rising together, I had a sense of pride and joy. The same pride-and-joy I feel surrounded by a wave of runners and the sound of pounding feet at the start of a race.
It is an incredible sight to behold so many people working in harmony.
Once the audience proved it's ability to keep up with the call-and-response, the band returned to the stage and launched into a cover of "Under Pressure" that got the crowd dancing and singing.
So by now you're wondering:
What does this all have to do with motivation?
Hearing hundreds of voices belting out "Love Love Love Love Love" at the top of their voices made me wonder: If a little call-and-response can get us to all sing together, what else can a little nudge - a little inspiration - do?
So today your inspiration is to commit one random, spontaneous act of love. Love your significant other. Love an annoying co-worker. Love a struggling runner. Love yourself a little more.
And in the comments, let us all know about an act of love you've witnessed.
'Cause love's such an old fashioned wordBut first let me take a step back to Saturday night...
And love dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the night
And loves dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves...
~Queen, Under Pressure
Def Leppard. Beastie Boys. Twisted Sister. Journey. Van Halen. Salt 'n' Peppa. Joan Jett. Run D.M.C. Starship. And, of course, Queen. All in one show.
Hubby and I went to see 1980s cover band The Molly Ringwalds. For two hours we danced like no one was watching. Hubby even downloaded a cigarette lighter app so we could wave lights in the air the way we would have during a rock ballad at a concert in the late '80s. (But this is 2012 not 1982. No one carries a lighter anymore.)
Then most of the band left the stage.
Spotlights converged on the lone remaining singer as he started a call-and-response homage to the late Freddy Mercury. If you were sentient in the mid 1980s, or if you watched the Olympic closing ceremonies this summer, you know what I mean.
 |
| Image source |
So on Saturday night, listening to the audience around me, all voices rising together, I had a sense of pride and joy. The same pride-and-joy I feel surrounded by a wave of runners and the sound of pounding feet at the start of a race.
It is an incredible sight to behold so many people working in harmony.
Once the audience proved it's ability to keep up with the call-and-response, the band returned to the stage and launched into a cover of "Under Pressure" that got the crowd dancing and singing.
So by now you're wondering:
What does this all have to do with motivation?
Hearing hundreds of voices belting out "Love Love Love Love Love" at the top of their voices made me wonder: If a little call-and-response can get us to all sing together, what else can a little nudge - a little inspiration - do?
So today your inspiration is to commit one random, spontaneous act of love. Love your significant other. Love an annoying co-worker. Love a struggling runner. Love yourself a little more.
And in the comments, let us all know about an act of love you've witnessed.
Monday, September 24
Monday, September 17
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