In the face of adversity…

I know that some of you enjoy the funny posts.  And I love to make you laugh. I promise to do more of that in the future. I do know that of you enjoy the inspirational posts, or the honest posts.  Life isn’t always perfect and so this is a mixed post of inspirational and honest….at least hopefully.

The past few weeks I have been struggling a bit.  An injury put me behind training and I have had to dig deep mentally to figure it all out. And it wasn’t a big deal injury, but it’s still a setback.  Being 6 weeks away  from such a big momentous occasion in life and in what I felt is such a critical time for me has been such a mind f*ck.  Coupled with the fact that I thought training for a marathon would leave me a smaller version of me.  I’m not complaining about weight so much, but I’ve read mixed articles on people who have lost and gained.  I haven’t gained but a few but that stupid number on the scale has always been my nemesis.  I hate the grip it has on me and I know I’m not alone.

I watch with awe people who are doing amazing things. I’m not comparing so much.  I am such a fan of those people.  I love to see my flexing friends and all of the healthy things they are doing.  Sometimes I get down on myself for not doing enough…and then I think how dumb is that . Because we’re all different. And currently I’m doing what I can. But I’ve got so much more to give myself. So how should we turn that thinking around?

Think about how are you’ve come.  Three years ago I said I would run a half marathon. And now I’ve run 7 and taking a plunge on the first full.  I could barely run or breathe and now I can.  I’m not a fast runner, but I have come so far. The best part…there is more left in me.  My coach just ran her fastest marathon in 3:03:42.  That chick is amazing.  I draw inspiration from her.  No, I am realistic in knowing that I am not ever going to be that fast…but I see how hard she works and how much effort she puts into it and it makes me want more for me.

Living in the present: I can’t change what happened two weeks ago. It was a race that I injured myself during. It wasn’t my best time, but its the best I’ve felt in a long time. It’s the fastest number I’ve seen all summer.  So I’ll live for today, and make a plan to stick to tomorrow. But we often times get so far ahead of ourselves.  Stop that…and just enjoy the now.  I keep telling myself… it’s one day, 26.2 miles.  And mile at a time and I’ll get there. I just need to finish…that’s it!   Do I find it discouraging that I’m part of the Turtle Running Team? DUH!!! Sometimes I do, but it really does beat not trying at all.  My mind thinks faster than my legs and lungs are willing to go.  Can’t all my parts just get on board?

Fake it till you make it.    I don’t mean fake it like be a total cocky bitch about your abilities and brag like there’s no tomorrow.  There’s a fine line between inspiring and being an asshole about it. Thankfully I know mostly inspirational people.  I feel like even in the face of self doubt, just keep telling yourself its going to be alright.   That you can make anything happen…cause if you tell yourself enough, chances are  you’ll actually believe this positive shit you spew.    For me there is no option for failure.  And everyday I picture the finish line.  It looks amazing and there are tears in the thought of the finish line.  But on the days I don’t believe in me…I fake it.

So this is how I’m dealing with set backs lately.  I used to think 13.1 miles was so daunting. But 26.2 leaves me clenching a bit (ok, a lot!).  So I deep breathe through the thought, think about everyone who believes in me, how far I’ve come. That I only have to be present in the current mile. Sometimes just the current moment.  I have trained after all…but the rest I’m totally bullshitting my way through.

Life is what you make of it. Draw your inspiration from whatever works…and know I’ve got your back. (Just don’t be an asshole about it)

Until next time…

DP Babbles