Why Do We Do It? It's a Struggle Sometimes. But Always Worth It.

Running truly does translate to life.  It makes me strong in everything.  

This morning was one of those mornings that I woke up and just questioned everything. Why I'm training, what I'm doing with my career, and the differences (or not) that I'm making in the world.  As I pulled myself out of bed to run before my kids woke up, I was not feeling any desire or motivation to do it.  It was a battle.  So much of me wanted to just fall back asleep for another hour.  With one eye open, I growled at my husband, "Why am I doing this?  What's the point anyway?  I mean, it isn't like I'm an Olympic athlete or anything so why am I taking this so seriously?"  I know the answers to these questions but it sure was hard to see them clearly as I pulled on my workout pants and tied my shoes.

My husband said something to the tune of :  "You're training because you want to push yourself and see what you can do with this one life.  You're a runner and you want to challenge yourself.  When you do this with running, it translates to other areas of your life and you're stronger in everything."   This really resonated with me.  I didn't instantly jump up and get all perky or anything.  I was still grumbling and feeling like a limp piece of lettuce but it did make me feel better and it got me out the door.  Once I was out there running, my body started to wake up a bit and I was able to use my five mile run to focus on my life, what I wanted to make of the day, and where I'm at with my goals. It didn't take long for me to remember why I'm doing this but it sure was a struggle to get up and at it this morning.

We all have our reasons for why we do it.  Why we push ourselves.  Why we train.  Some of us do it to challenge ourselves and see what we are capable of.  Some do it to escape.  Maybe we do it to lose weight and be healthy.  Others are doing it to qualify for something.  And there are those that start training for a cause that is dear to their heart and then they end up realizing how amazing it feels to be taking control of their fitness and health.

Whatever our reasons for training, there will always be those times when we just don't want to do it.  We'll have those days where we battle with ourselves just to put on our running shoes and get out the door.  I think this is true with any big goal we are working towards. If it wasn't somewhat of a challenge then it probably wouldn't be a goal, right?  But when we push ourselves and stick to our goals even when they are hard, IT. FEELS. SO GOOD.

Today I'm THANKFUL For:

• Getting out of the door this morning for my 5 mile morning run.  2 of them were at 7:30 pace with the last quarter mile at 6:31 pace. Just getting my legs used to moving faster.
• Afternoon 6 mile run. 4 of them @ 7:30 with .5 of that @ 6:59 and an 8:00 mile to end.  Felt strong.  Ready for some more structured workouts.  
• 20 week marathon plan starts on Saturday.  Yes, decided to do the 20 wk plan.  
• Thanksgiving is this week.  My favorite holiday.  I love that grandparents, cousins and so many more family members pile into our small home to eat, give thanks, play games and just BE together.   
• Being a mother!  I am absolutely certain that I am doing exactly what I am meant to be doing.  Although there are times that I miss teaching and going to graduate school, I know that I will have this again someday if I want. My doctorate can wait. Right now it feels good to be right where I am.  
• Movie night with my husband tonight as soon as the kids go to sleep. He has been working so hard the past few days so it will be nice to just be together without other things to do.  
• Friendships
• Good food.  
• Feeling motivated and excited to train for Boston.

Choose one.  Or all.  I love to hear from you.  
1.  What do you tell yourself when you are struggling to stay motivated?
2.  Why do you train/run?  
3.  Please share one of your big goals that you are working on.  Running or other.  I would love to hear.  
4.  What are some things you are thankful for today?  


Amanda

Get 'er Done!

I'm sitting here in my hotel room in San Francisco. Resting after a busy morning and feeling TIRED.  Pooped.  Ready for a long nap but the time is getting away from me and I know I have a challenging workout ahead of me.  It is looming over me like a heavy cloud.  I need some major motivation!  I keep telling myself how wonderful it will feel to be done and have that high that comes from running hard.  I'll have earned that pitcher of beer I plan on sharing with my husband tonight and the high calorie and non nutritious meal will taste that much better!  So, why do I feel so 


UNMOTIVATED?!  


Ugggg, I just need to.....


GET 'ER DONE!  Really, I never use this phrase.  It just came to me when I was thinking of a title for this blog.  So I googled it to see where the phrase came from.  Really kind of funny what I came up with on Urban dictionary:

Get 'er Done git 'er dun

3.	Get 'er Done	48 up, 157 down
	buy get 'er done mugs, tshirts and magnets What one rednecks say when they have an orgasm, usually from riding in their "hot Chevy" or watching too much Girls Gone Wild.... MMM...Yeah, 60 miles per hour damnit, GET Er' Done!!! by Uncle Ray Ray Aug 17, 2004 share this
1.	Get 'er Done	240 up, 16 down
	buy get 'er done mugs, tshirts and magnets A redneck term used to prod a fellow to complete a task; i.e. finish a beer. Get 'er done, boy! Finish that natty! by Tommy Wommy Womsters Sep 24, 2003 share this
2.	Get 'er Done	27 up, 107 down
	buy get 'er done mugs, tshirts and magnets used as an exclamation for something cool or nifty if a loud jacked up truck drives by, you can say, "Get errr done!" followed by "dats right." by Manzy Nov 9, 2003 share this

So, I guess I'll be doing this run redneck style and "completing this task!" (middle definition).  Of course it will be way more enjoyable to use this term to refer to finishing my beer tonight..."Get 'er done girl! Finish that Natty!"  Natty?  Does that stand for Natty Light, meaning nasty cheap beer that we drank in college?  Well, for me it will be "Get 'er done girl!  Drink up that Amber Light!"  


My favorite definition for this phrase is the last one to refer to something cool or nifty!  I think I will try this one next time we see a cool building here in San Francisco and then I'll make my husband follow up my "Get 'er done" with a "Dats right!"  


Before I go "get 'er done", here's a picture of my awesome blog buddy meet up this morning.  This is Marjorie from Taking It On, one of my favorite blog connections.  She's as genuine and warm in person as she is in the virtual world.  Love this girl's sense of humor, wise words, adventurous living, and so much more!  Not only is she a mom of four beautiful kids but she is a world traveler, runner, writer, and she used to be an Olympic rower.  So, go say hello to Marjorie at Taking It On!  Thanks for showing us around your city a bit!  

1.  What is your favorite Urban Dictionary definition from of the phrase "Get 'er done" from the ones listed above?  


2.  What do you do to get yourself motivated to get your run, workout, etc. done when you are just not feelin' it? Something that you know you will be happy about once you finish and disappointed in yourself about if you throw in the towel.  


Okay, Peace out!  I'm off to get this tempo run DONE!
Amanda


P.s.  I got 'er done!  
Windy as heck!  I have never in my life felt so much wind while running.  Good Grief!!
2 mile warm up
3 mile tempo @ half marathon pace (barely was doing 7-7:15ish pace in that wind)
1 mile @8:50ish
3 mile tempo @ 7-7:15 ish (slower than I had hoped but I'll take it!)
2 miles @ 8-10 pace


11 miles total
Now on to Happy Hour!  Woot woot!  


I LOVE SAN FRANCISCO!