Shame on me. It's been way too long since I wrote my last bloughts (blog thoughts). As I sit here on a Sunday evening, cooling down from my evening run-walk-run-walk-walk-walk, I am thinking about and looking forward to entering the Tulsa Run for the first time. See, many years in the past, I have proudly proclaimed that I will enter the race but to only chicken out (insert obnoxious chicken sound). This year, I will not chicken out. I will do it. You have my word.
This year the Tulsa Run is on my birthday, which gives me extra excitement and incentive to participate. It often falls on my birthday but I have not actually taken the plunge and registered. So I am calling this the Tulsa Birthday Run. I just might wear my crazy cupcake costume in the race...
(<---me, circa 1999?)
Over the last month or 2, I have really become fond of biking. I purchased a new hybrid bike to replace the bike I was riding that hails all the way back from my teen years. Without hurting my brain on figuring out how old it really is, let's just say that the bike is only about 10-11 years younger than me. Surprisingly, it is still in really good condition for an old bike. I wouldn't get too excited and quite call it "vintage" but it is old. And needed to be replaced.
With this new love of biking and the goal of running the Tulsa Birthday Run in 12 weeks (let the countdown begin!!!), I am certain of a few things:
- Goals need to be written down. No matter what they are or what they are aiming to accomplish, they need to be written down. You need to be reminded of what it is you are trying to reach and achieve. Then you can measure your progress.
- I shouldn't jump in the deep end if I can't swim. I am not known for my speed or longevity for running. I have never been one of the graceful athletes, and any of my high school friends who may find themselves reading this can attest to that. :) But I am so excited and want to get to the point of being able to run the 15K. But HELLO! I can hardly run 1 mile without gasping for air. Take it slow. Work up to the goal. Let the training take its proper course.
- Do it anyway when I really don't wanna. I fight this. BAD. But you know what? I swear to you that I feel so great every time I am done running or riding and wonder what the internal tantrum was all about. Nothing worth fighting for was ever easy, right? Nike had it right: "Just Do It"!!
- This is the best "me" time I could ask for. I have the tendency to make sure that others are taken care of before I even consider myself. I have a career where I am helping others reach their goals, but I forget that I have my own I want to achieve. I can't feel guilty for setting a goal and making sure I make steps to achieve it. And this is so much better than wasting time on the couch eating Ben & Jerry's while watching Millionaire Matchmaker.
-With One L
*Disclaimer.... the Tulsa Run logo does not officially have a birthday hat on it. That was added by me.
