Author: Colleen

RSD #1,480 #bettereveryday

The goal isn’t to improve my time or distance very day. The goal is to feel alive and healthy on the run. To enjoy and be grateful for the ability to run every day.

To be better every day to me means to continue to learn and grow as a human being. To improve my job performance, to positively impact the lives of those around me, and to continue to improve who I am as a person.

Happy Friday!

RSD #1,479 What are you feeding your mind?

I listen to books on most runs and reflect on how I can use the message, knowledge, or advice in my own life.

Today was all about the feelings of needing things, people, positions in life versus wanting them and the difference between the two. When you need something you are framing that your happiness depends on obtaining that need. When you want it and don’t need it you can be happy or successful without it and still desire it.

Where is the line between want and need? Do I want to run every day or do I need to run every day? Why?

For me most days it is a want and I enjoy it. When I reflect honestly there are days I need to run because I don’t want to end the streak because I will let myself and other people down.

This new framework with help to keep me in check when I am tired or in a rut. As long as I truly want to run and am enjoying it then I will keep on running.

RSD #1,478 When you’re from AZ you don’t complain about the heat!

Yes, it’s Arizona and it is hot! So we take weekend getaways to cooler places like norther AZ or San Diego. We plan indoor activities or lounge poolside with cool drink.

So how do I run in the heat? Most of the time it is early in the morning between 5:00-6:00am. Today I was a little late out the door at 6:10am and already 80 degrees with 40% humidity. Guess what…it felt great!

So there you go…some like it hot!

RDS #1,477 Daily Habits Are Difficult to Form

The goal of writing every day lasted 11 days. That doesn’t feel good and beating myself up about it is the easy thing to do. I could fill my head with, “Well if it was really important to you then you would have gotten it done.” or “See, you’re not a writer and writing every day it too hard.”

I’m choosing to celebrate that I started this journey of sharing my running story. The good and the bad. I love running and I know the more I write the more I will look forward to it and love it as well.

If you are struggling with a new habit don’t give up. Stay committed and stay positive. It will get better and it will get easier.

RSD #1,472 The 5th Thing I learned

The last, and definitely not least, thing I learned from running every day is the importance of a positive support system. First at home for those days where it would have been a lot easier just to stay in bed or on the couch. Having someone to give you that little encouragement or push to say, “You can do it” or “Go get it done”, just that little push can make all the difference.

The support of friends and co-workers was extremely valuable too. As the running day count grew it was awesome to have people start asking, “Are you still running every day?” and “What day is today?” Knowing people are watching, counting, and cheering me on was incredibly motivating. Some days the run was more for other people then it was for me. I didn’t and don’t want to let anyone down.

The most important support person for me was my husband, Robbie, and today is his birthday. So today’s run was spent thinking about him and having gratitude for all his support over the years. His support in life has truly made a difference in mine.

RSD #1,471 The 4th of 5 Things I learned running every day

Practice every day prepares you for the big race.

On day 165 of my running streak I was able to hike down and up the Grand Canyon in one day with two of my 20 something sons and their friend. The only training to prepare for this 12 mile down and out was three miles per day. We were all a little nervous about how I would do with these very physically fit young men and by the end of the day they were all impressed that I not only kept up, but at times lead the pace. It was a memorable time and I am so grateful that my daily running enabled me to spend priceless time with them.

On day 249 I ran a half marathon and I was again concerned that my conditioning wasn’t up to par. The longest distance training in preparation for this race was seven miles while still running the three mile minimum daily. Thanks to a great pace partner I crushed my best time by almost a minute per mile. These two tests of my endurance have shown me that doing the work, day in and day out, even when it is boring and you don’t want to do it, is important and prepares you for the greater challenges.

Isn’t life a little like that too. The daily habits, big and small, add up to the big things.

RSD #1,468 3 of 5 Things I learned

After the first year of running every day I looked back and it didn’t feel like a year and it didn’t feel like a big accomplishment. I remember a similar feeling after graduating from college. When I started it seemed so far away and like a tough journey ahead.

When I started running I didn’t realize it was a streak so didn’t see the journey like the goal of a college degree, however, the significance of achieving something and then having it seem ordinary is a strange feeling.

It isn’t ordinary and I am now taking the time to embrace the rare and special accomplishments in my life. The BIGGEST lesson here is that what seems difficult in the beginning is really not if you break it down and work on it daily.

I now know that I am capable of BIG things as long as I stick to a plan and execute consistently.