The Voice From Within. And Guess What?

I've written a lot about the mind of a runner lately and the mental, emotional, and reflective aspects of running.  I've posted about:
* The Mind of a Runner...What you think about when you run 
*  Creating Running Journals to inspire, motivate and reflect 
*  What you tell yourself to get yourself through the toughest of workouts and how we feel when we've pushed ourselves
* Why We Train and things that get us motivated, inspired and pumped up!

I believe that the mind is more powerful than we can even begin to comprehend.  As an athlete, I'm constantly working to stay mentally focused on my goals and dreams.  I'm doing what I can to believe in myself as a runner, visualize myself doing great things and having the right mental focus to push myself to new heights in my workouts and races.

Recently, as most of you know, I've started a running journal.  It is a place for me to record my goals, workouts, reflections, highs, lows, pictures that inspire and motivate me, photographs, racing stories, things I eat and how they affect my performance, etc.  It  has already become a powerful piece to my training and it serves a wonderful purpose for my personality and thinking style. I LOVE IT!

 During my workout today, the coolest thing happened and I wasn't aware of how awesome it was until I was finished with my run.  In the middle of my 5 miles I was trying to hold on to around a 7 or low 7 min mile pace for a couple of miles.  This pace, in addition to pushing myself for 2 min fartleks at around 6:18-6:30 pace, was definitely making me work.  On my last mile, I stuck with a 7:15-7:30 pace even though I was tired and just wanted to stop.  With about a quarter mile to go, I realized that my voice from within was repeating a power phrase over and over.  In fact, I might have been almost whispering it.  I was so focused on keeping my pace that I must have been repeating the phrase for awhile.  This was mantra for today:

"It's gotta get harder before it gets easier!"

I guess the coolest thing about this is that my inner runner voice was giving me just what I needed to hear!  When I finally heard myself, I felt strong and capable.  I believed in myself and knew that I was right.  In order for 7 min mile pace to feel like my base pace again, I need to spend more time running 7's and sub 7's for longer periods of time.  My workouts will get harder before this pace can seem easier!   I Believe!  Love the Power of a good Mantra!  This will be a great one to get me through my training!

I really think that these motivational collages I made from my Athleta catalog are serving a wonderful purpose too.

Last night at the gym, I was visualizing strength, focus, and determination to go along with strong arms to get me to muster up enough courage to do some pull ups.  I used to do pull ups all the time.  I had no reservations about getting up there with the men at the gym and doing 7 or 8 proper pull ups but since having kids, I've been kind of shy about the whole thing.  Besides the occasional attempt on the monkey bars at the park, I usually don't do them.  But I had my journal with me at the gym and I was jotting down my stats from my run and I saw these pictures.  I got myself up there and did 4 strong pull ups!  Hoping to get back to 7 or 8 and then 10 by the end of the summer!  

Oh, and Guess What?

Yes, that's right!  My BFF Jenny (in the picture with me above from Hood To Coast 2002) called me up and asked if my husband and I would want to be on a Hood To Coast Team with her and her husband and some of their family!  Uh, YES!  This is the first year since kids that I've wanted to do this race again.  My last time was in 2004 when I was just pregnant with my firstborn.  Since then, sleep has been WAY TOO PRECIOUS.  Even Hood To Coast didn't sound good if it meant giving up sleep.  I'm so excited for this year!

Happy Valentine's Weekend!  My husband and I get a date tomorrow night to go over to a friend's house and then we have a babysitter planned for Monday night!  

What are you doing this weekend or for Valentine's?  

Please share creative date ideas if you have any.  I'm wanting to plan something simple, inexpensive but special for my husband on Monday!  I would love some inspiration!


P.S:  As many of you know, I am very supportive of chiropractic care and how it can greatly help you as a runner.  I'm also a fan of supporting my friends and my friend Dr. Nicole Murphy is the owner of Whole Life Chiropractic.  If you are in the Kansas City area or even if you are not, please consider becoming a facebook fan of Whole Life Chiropractic or going for a visit if you live near.  Check it out:  Whole Life Chiropractic. Thank you!

Amanda