I need exercise! My body is saying, "Move more. Eat less. Hydrate. Be happy!" Okay! I'm listening. So what am I going to do? I need to get motivated. Here is my simple checklist:
- outdoor activity
- must be FUN!
- do something new
- social opportunity
- enlist others to join
Thanks to my friend, Amanda, I found the perfect solution!
Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon/5K- April 27 ! My close friends are probably laughing right now because they know that I am NOT a runner, or jogger. I am a hiker and a walker. This will be my first 5K run/walk.
Believe it or not, but several years ago I completed the LA Marathon. Yes, a full marathon! I did not "train" for it. I had no clue about the distance of a marathon, or how much time it would take to complete. All I knew was that I needed to exercise, my friend already signed up, and I had never done it before. It sounded like an adventure- so I registered!
The LA Marathon proved to be a test. Yes, it tested my physical strength. Could my body endure this activity for many hours? Thankfully, it did. But this test encompassed so much more. Soon after I registered, I thought, "What have you done?! You are nuts!"
My friend, who signed up first, was really excited. She shared the news about the marathon with everyone: her family, friends, and coworkers. She began to train by going to the gym and running after work. I told almost no one. The ones I did tell, they thought I was nuts. Was I?
I was psyched. More accurately, you could say I was psyched out. I needed to get psyched up. At that time, I was strongly encouraged to get my doctor's approval to participate in this event. A little after the fact, I thought, but it sounded like a good idea. Dr. Hines ran the usual tests and everything was normal.
Then, my wonderful doctor asked how I felt about all of this. Aha! That was the real test. Knowing that I was healthy, I quickly closed my eyes and reviewed by body for, what I call "emotional feedback". I sat there on the padded medical table, and rapidly scanned myself and listened. I was a little worried, a little apprehensive, and I was a little...annoyed. Annoyed?? Yup. Annoyed.
I knew where that was all coming from- within. I could hear the sound of friends chattering. I needed to quiet their voices, and hear myself. For the next few weeks, I decided to do a little research, not about the marathon itself, but advice from experts about this type of activity. I learned the importance of shoes, and their weight. I learned about the importance of socks, the arch support they can give, and how to keep feet dry. I learned about appropriate apparel, and the importance of fabrics as it relates to perspiration, environmental protection, and body temperature. This newly found knowledge addressed much of my worry and apprehension.
What about the annoyance? I needed to resolve that too. I knew it was a matter of mindset, attitude, and action. I decided that yes, I really wanted to experience the LA Marathon. I had registered and wanted to finish what I started. I didn't care long it was, or how long I took, but I was going to complete this endeavor. I learned that at the end of the marathon you got a medal. Cool! Yes, I wanted to earn that medal, but also, I wanted to finish...for me.
The date soon approached- three, two, one more day! I bought comfortable and feather weight shoes. I now had slightly thick socks with a tightly ribbed arch, and breathable athletic wear. I began to ask my mind to imagine myself at the finish line- victorious and happy! I wanted to see the end, now. I needed to believe that I could and would complete the marathon.
Our last supper, if you will, before the challenge was enjoying fabulous pasta at Maggianos! How I was going to walk tomorrow after that delicious meal was beyond me. I knew that "athletes" ate pasta before their game, or race, or fight, so I would do that too. This proved to be the right thing to do.
The night before the race, I had one thing on my mind. Wake up early. My friend and I had to be at the subway station by 5:30 AM, that meant waking up at 4:15. Alarms were set. We were prepared. Best of all, I felt ready! Really. I was ready for the day, for the experience, and for the great feeling of accomplishment.
Mind over matter. I resolved my issues through a process of change in mindset, attitude, and action. I became proactive by doing research. I wanted to overcome and conquer my inner resistance. I eased my mind through positive self-talk. I told myself that I was going to put one foot in front of the other. If at any point on the course I could not do that, then I would stop and call for help. I was going to take one step at a time, and enjoy the walking the marathon. That's right! This was not a race against time, a competition against others, or a challenge about the pavement against my body.
The LA Marathon became a pivotal event in my life. It was a time to appreciate my good health. I was surrounded by people-- in and out of shape, with and without legs. I felt grateful for my willing and able body. I gave myself the confident that yes, I could do this, but also the acceptance, that if, for some unseen reason I could not finish, that would be alright too. I would be happy, regardless.
Since this journey, I have applied many of those lessons in my life. I learned that goals get accomplished step by step, but first I need a picture of what success might look like, and I must include myself in it. I now look forward to change. It is not as scary as it used to be. I know that with change comes opportunity for growth, improvement, and a glimpse of the strongest, happiest, and best self possible.
I'm beginning to feel that it is once again a time for change. Is it because the snow is melting, the sun is shining longer, more birds are chirping, or Spring is on its way? Perhaps. Whatever the reason, I see that it is a time to look up and out, listen, breathe, and move. It is time to appreciate my good health, and participate in activities I can enjoy. I am alive and well, and happy! 5K? I can do this!
"Arise and shine forth"...live and thrive! So, who wants to join me? Sign up today!
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A note to all who are wondering:
I have asked and received approval from the Mission President and Zone Leader to participate
as a missionary at this event. The only restriction is no sweats.
