Lessons from the long run

Saturday mornings are my usual "long run" day. I'm using the term long run to refer to anything in the 10 mile area length, which for many people would not be considered very long, but for me, is plenty long enough! I always look forward to these runs - some how I feel a sense of accomplishment at the finish that I don't get from my usual week day runs/rides and I always feel like I've bettered myself in some small way. Running long has taught me three important lessons:

1) Nothing happens without those first small, seemingly insignificant steps. You have to actually get out of bed before you can get out the door. The first few small steps across the floor to the bedroom door are essential to getting started. Most things in life are like this. The tasks often is not as big as you imagine or fear - sometimes showing up with those first few small steps is all you need to get the momentum going.

2) When you start to lose motivation, keep your mind on the end-point and what will be so great about achieving it. Pumpkin pancakes aren't breakfast for quitters....

3) We have to accept that there will be days you will feel like you don't have it in you, until you just get moving. Sometimes the best efforts start off with the worst beginnings. You can't really judge how successful a project or task is going to be in the earliest phases. Feeling tired? Bored? Unmotivated? Fine. Those aren't reasons to quit. Your feelings and impressions can change on a dime. When we choose to stay committed, stay true to our word (to ourselves or someone else) we keep putting one foot down in front of the other. Before long, you'll be amazed how many times the feelings of fatigue and "blahness" sweat their way out and are replaced by positivity, satisfaction and accomplishment.

Go ahead and get after it!