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Posts tagged ‘Motivation’

Jun 3

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Helping Others

I don’t really consider myself a selfish person. However, when it comes to my running, nothing will interfere with my workout time. Well, almost nothing…

Wednesday my sister called to remind me of the charity day at her school that I had volunteered to help with on Saturday morning. What time did I need to be there? 8:00 am and it is a 45 minute drive away. My first thought was holy cow, when am I going to run my 14 miles? It would be too hot to run during the afternoon and Sunday morning I was hosting a baby shower. Saturday morning really was my only chance to get in my miles.

Of course I told her I would be there because it was the right thing to do. She is my sister and she always does so much for me. However, I was really stressing out. (One of the few things I ever stress about.) After thinking about it for a day, I realized that I could still run, if I got up really early. And as Thich Nhat Hanh (my new favorite Buddhist monk) puts it, you should always put others before yourself. I got over my selfishness and then sent out an email to recruit a few more volunteers. My plan would be to get up by4am be out running by 5am. I’d run as far as I could and be headed to the event by 7:10am.

At the event, I had way more fun than I was expecting. I had two of the cutest 5th graders follow be around and help me with whatever I needed. One of them asked if I’d stay and play with her after we were finished, which I thought was really sweet. There was a 1 mile fun run that I ran with the kids. The 6th grade girl who won, crossed the finish line with her mom in a time of 6:58. She was awesome! There was face painting, tug of war, a dunking booth, and my personal favorite… a basketball shoot out.

When I was younger, basketball was my absolute favorite sport to play. Then I stopped growing and gave up on my basketball dreams. Here was my chance to relive my childhood. My task was to shoot 30 free throws and whoever made the most, won. I was the only female in the adult group but I was oh so excited to play. After rebounding for Alissa, a middle school basketball player, and Matt a varsity basketball player, it was my turn. Turns out I’m a 50% free throw shooter (15 out of 30) which I thought was pretty decent since I haven’t touched a ball in 10+ years. I didn’t win but I still had a lot of fun. Maybe I’ll play a little more ball this summer.

The lesson I learned from this weekend is that running doesn’t have to be my life. There are so many other things that I enjoy such as working with cute little 5th graders, cheering on students to their fastest mile, face painting, and playing basketball. More importantly, I learned that putting others before myself is an opportunity for a new experience. And I can always get in my miles… I just might have to run really early and in the dark.

 

A fun Saturday helping out the kids. I couldn't do the face painting but I didn't mind having my arm painted. :)

A fun Saturday helping out the kids. I couldn’t do the face painting but I didn’t mind having my arm painted. :)

Happy Trails and Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update:  I ran a total of 40 miles last week. Unfortunately I didn’t get in 14 miles Saturday morning because I didn’t have the time. But I didn’t let it stress me out. However, I will say I thoroughly enjoyed running at 5am in the dark. It’s so peaceful.

May 28

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Pain.

Pain is an interesting thing. People do not generally submit themselves to pain and it’s generally not a fun thing to experience. However, sometimes in order to improve, we must experience it.

This afternoon, in nearly 90 degree weather on a hot track, as I ran my 3rd interval, I started to question why I wanted to experience this discomfort. Yesterday I learned about the difficulty of running with a bloody blister on my foot and today, I was reminded of the pain. My shorts were too short today which caused some chafing and oh yea, it was hot. Somebody please, remind me why I want to do this? Oh that’s right. Now I remember…

I can not achieve my goals without a little hard work. I will never get faster unless I am willing to hurt a little. Training in the heat and on the hills, it’s an added advantage. I saw a video once and it said the following: In any fight, it’s the guy who’s willing to die who’s going to win that itch. I realize that unless I’m willing to do more than the next person, I’m never going to get where I want to be. Pain and hard work are part of the training. Embrace it. Welcome it. And let it make your stronger. Stay focused on the goal and it’ll always be worth it.

Here is the video:

 

Happy Trails & Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update: A successful track workout today but I was a little tired afterwards. Going into the workout, I was a little down because I wasn’t looking forward to working out in the heat. However, after the workout, I was proud of my consistency, my effort, and how I felt my form was improving. My next marathon is many months away but I’m really excited to make a gradual progression to (hopefully) my peak condition. Stats are here.

May 18

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Lesson #1 – Persistence

One year ago today I was sitting outside still sulking over my Boston DNF and my injury that kept me from racing again in May. As I sat sulking, I vowed to do something about it. I vowed to learn, to try, and to never feel that same way again… disappointed. Since then, 365 days have passed. During those 365 days, I have grown to be a runner that I never once thought possible. I am stronger mentally and I am stronger physically. Perhaps none of this would have been possible without the DNF in Boston and the glass of wine that brought me to my decision that Friday night. I am grateful for everything that has happened since I made that promise.

Boston, 2012

Boston, 2012

Earlier this week, I wrote down my five lessons learned throughout all of this and lesson #1 was about how running is a journey. However, I changed my mind. Last night I was fortunate enough to have dinner with Thomas Keller, one of the best chefs in the world. (You can check out a couple of his restaurants here and here.) As he was making his rounds and talking to people, he stopped at our table. I asked him what is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given him. His reply, persistence. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. 

Mario and me with Thomas Keller

Mario and me with Thomas Keller

Over this past year, the most important thing I have learned is persistence. There was a time, many years ago, when I thought qualifying for Boston was an impossible dream. Now that I’ve done it the last three marathons I’ve run, I know I do more. Before becoming the avid runner I am today, I had set my own mental limitations and boundaries. Running under 1:30 for the half was crazy and my marathon goals (which I’m keeping to myself for right now), were impossible.

The race that led to 5 weeks of no running. Lesson learned - never run/race through an injury.

The race that led to 5 weeks of no running. Lesson learned – never run/race through an injury.

 

I have seen my running go from point A to point B, and now I no longer think in terms of the impossible. I believe in myself and I know that if I want these things to happen, I have to continually work for them. A sub 1:30 is in my future, and with enough hard work (and no injuries), I believe it’s in me to run around 1:20. My marathon goals give me butterflies just thinking about them, and I’m not going to tell myself I can’t do it.  I’m certainly not going to let anyone else tell me I can’t do it either. These are my dreams. My goals. I will always strive to make them a reality. I will always be persistent.

In 365 days, I have learned to always keep trying.

Tracie, 2009

Tracie, 2009

 

Tracie, 2012

Tracie, 2012

 

Happy Trails & Happy Running,

Tracie

It has been a wonderful experience this past year and I am thankful for everyone who has followed along with me. After this post, I will no longer be blogging every single day. Instead, I plan to take this blog in the direction I’ve been envisioning for quite a while. I will miss the daily blogging but it will certainly be nice to have some of my time to do other things. There are a few other things I’m trying to get accomplished and it will be nice to dedicate myself entirely to these tasks. 

It’s crazy how quickly a year goes by! But at the same time, so much happens within a year. This blogging journey has made me a much better runner, both mentally and physically, and I am thankful for the many hours I spent in front of the computer. It has all helped me to become the person I am today.

Thank you everyone! 

May 6

possibility-potential-risk-59f4e6
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Possibility

I recently read this on Seth Godin’s blog, and it really resonated with me. For quite a while now, I think I’ve been unable to reach my running potential because I’ve been good at running. I’ve avoided the opportunities that bring possibility and in the end, it has led to failure. The time has where I realize that in order to move forward, I have to do something differently. Yes, I am a decent runner but I know I still have something to prove.

Competence vs. Possibility by Seth Godin:

As we get more experienced, we get better, more competent, more able to do our thing.

And it’s easy to fall in love with that competence, to appreciate it and protect it. The pitfall? We close ourselves off from possibility.

Possibility, innovation, art–these are endeavors that not only bring the whiff of failure, they also require us to do something we’re not proven to be good at. After all, if we were so good at it that the outcome was assured, there’d be no sense of possibility.

We often stop surprising ourselves (and the market) not because we’re no good anymore, but because we are good. So good that we avoid opportunities that bring possibility.

Happy Trails & Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update: Today I realized just how incredibly tired I am. I have been going on 5-6 hours of sleep for over a week now and it’s finally catching up with me. In addition to that, it’s Mario’s birthday and I really didn’t have much time to run. Coming home from work today, I decided not to run and take a nap instead. But then the sun came out and I got a short burst of energy. 3 miles later and a 6:52 mile, I was feeling much happier. I’d stil like to be in bed my 9:00 tonight. Stats are here.

Apr 28

willpower
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Willpower

This morning Mario and I watched another food documentary – Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. If you’ve never seen it, watch it! You can watch it on Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, or iTunes. It’s only 1 1/2 hours and worth every minute.

I won’t say too much about the film, but it’s basically about two men who go on a juice fast for 60 days and the dramatic changes that they experience. While making the documentary, the main character, Joe Cross, talks with ordinary Americans about his fast and their current state of health. I couldn’t help but be completely bothered by the number of people who said I can’t do that, I don’t have the willpower, I’m not strong enough, or fast food just tastes so good. However, my favorite was a man who had already suffered a heart attack, saying that he would never change his greasy diet- ever.  I am only here for a short time so I might as well eat what I want. I think I might live to 55. He said this all while sitting beside his (I’m assuming) son. Not cool.

Watching so many people say I can’t over and over again, really got me thinking about willpower. As a society, do we really think we are that helpless? Do we really think that we are unable to take charge of our  lives and of our health? Are we seriously going to let food control us? And how to we go from thinking I have no self control to yes, I can do this? Now I am just as guilty as anyone else. When it comes to chocolate, I have it pretty much set in my mind that I have to have a piece every single day. Granted, one piece isn’t that bad, but it’s the thought that I have to have this that’s problematic. No, actually I don’t and maybe I should try skipping it every now and then.

Tara Parker-Pope:

The ability to resist our impulses is commonly described as self-control or willpower. The elusive forces behind a person’s willpower have been the subject of increasing scrutiny by the scientific community trying to understand why some people overeat or abuse drugs and alcohol. What researchers are finding is that willpower is essentially a mental muscle, and certain physical and mental forces can weaken or strengthen our self-control.

Studies now show that self-control is a limited resource that may be strengthened by the foods we eat. Laughter and conjuring up powerful memories may also help boost a person’s self-control. And, some research suggests, we can improve self-control through practice, testing ourselves on small tasks in order to strengthen our willpower for bigger challenges.

“Learning self-control produces a wide range of positive outcomes,’’ said Roy Baumeister, a psychology professor at Florida State University whowrote about the issue in this month’s Current Directions in Psychological Science. “Kids do better in school, people do better at work. Look at just about any major category of problem that people are suffering from and odds are pretty good that self-control is implicated in some way.’’

Willpower is tough, yes. But it’s not unattainable. Today, I had no chocolate and I survived. I might just try it again tomorrow. :) It’s all about the small victories.

Happy Trails & Happy Running,

Tracie

Apr 27

luck
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Sacrifice

Life gets busier during the spring time. At least for me it feels that way. In addition to trying to run, blog, work, be social and keep the house somewhat in order, I’ve been working on a few other small projects. Wow, it can get overwhelming. There is little down time in the Rodriguez household but that’s okay. In order to make things happen, you have to work for it. Yesterday when I saw this video, I was reminded that hard work is always worth it. You just have to be willing to make sacrifices.

 

 

Happy Trails & Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update: Best 10 mile run ever! It’s amazing how great running can be when everything clicks. Your form feels great, your legs feel light, and you just feel like you can go on forever and ever. Those are the runs that make me believe more than anything that running is my sport. Stats are here.

Apr 22

hardworkd2
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Hard Word and Pleasure

I haven’t mentioned this yet because I don’t want to stress myself out… Exactly one month after Chicago I’m running the Las Vegas Marathon. (I know, not the smartest idea.) I’m running the Las Vegas Marathon to help raise money for the Multiple Myeloma Foundation. Our awesome neighbor, who lives two floors above us, leads a team every year and this time Mario and I decided to participate. I have no doubt this will be a fun and exciting experience.

Today both Mario and I received a training book, The Marathon Method by Tom Hollad. I briefly flipped through the pages and saw a few new strength training exercises to try. Then I also sat down to read the introduction. This was my favorite part:

Sigmund Freud postulated that we avoid pain and seek out pleasure. I contend that true happiness and fulfillment come from seeking pleasure through pain. Not injury – causing pain, but pain in the sense that your will is put to the test. You undertake something extremely difficult, entirely of your own choosing. You invest large amounts of physical and emotional energy based on faith and the belief that you can achieve something that is far from guaranteed. And the more you invest, the  more obtainable your goals and the more incredible the pleasure that waits for you on the other side of the finish line. 

This is why hard work is gratifying. The pleasure is so much more.

Happy Trails & Happy Running,

Tracie

Running Update: I definitely did a run more along the lines of a workout than an easy run today. I drove out to the greenway so I could avoid the sidewalks and traffic to do an easy six miles. The only problem with the greenway is it is uphill both ways. I’m not sure how this happens, but it is HILLY no matter which direction you are coming from. I really got into the groove and had some Eminem to cheer me along. Plus the not running on sidewalks or having to stop for cars was awesome. I went faster than I probably should have but I was so proud of the pace I was able to maintain up the hills.There is some serious benefit to training on those hills and this might be my new favorite route. States are here.

Apr 19

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One Year Ago…

It’s very distracting to blog tonight. My eyes have been glued to the television as the capture of the 2nd Boston Marathon bombing suspect unfolds. So instead of giving myself a few gray hairs as I try to think of something to say, I’d like to share this….

One month from today my 1 year blogging adventure will be over. On May 18, 2012 I made a pledge to blog every single day for one year and so far, I have successfully completed this task. It hasn’t alway been easy, (blogging from the car, at a wedding, or while on vacation) but it’s always been worth it. I’ve learned so much about running and made so many new friends. But more than anything (and this is what I find to be the most valuable), I’ve learned so much about myself. This blogging adventure has forced me to constantly question who I am and who I want to be. A year ago I was trying to mentally recover from what I considered to be an epic fail at the 2012 Boston Marathon. And today I am sitting here watching the apprehension of someone who bombed the 2013 Boston Marathon. A year goes by so quickly but at the same time, so much happens in a year. I can’t help but wonder where I’ll be April 19, 2014….

Happy Trails and Happy Running,

Tracie

I made this April 18, 2012 to keep me on track... A lot has happened since then.

I made this April 18, 2012 to keep me on track… A lot has happened since then.

Apr 17

martin

The Crazy Ones

Today a coworker asked if I planned to stop running marathons.

Someone else asked if I was afraid of big races.

Then a student told me he would one day run the Boston Marathon.

My faith lies with those who never give up. 

Happy Trails & Happy Running,

Tracie

Apr 16

Tracie
3 Comments

The Runner’s Spirit

The runner’s spirit is undeniably compassionate. It is not easily broken nor is it quickly deterred.

The runner is unique. With eyes wide open, he attempts to defy the norm and embrace the pain. It is a spirit in the forever pursuit of another level.

The runner is humble. Kind. Selfless. And supportive. I’ve never met a mean runner and I’m not sure they exist. Oprah once said running is a metaphor for life and she is right. Running is easy. It is hard. It can go uphill, and it can go downhill.

But above all, the runner takes each of these challenges and perseveres. Not only are we connected by our countless miles, we are brought together by a common understanding of what it means to suffer. And what it means to prevail.

Yesterday the running world changed forever, and although none of us can say exactly how, one thing is for certain. I, along with so many others, am damn proud to belong to this remarkable community. I have never been prouder to call myself a runner than I am right now. May our kindness, compassion, and relentless resolve continue to support those in Boston. For in the end, goodness will win and our community, those in Boston, and those around the world will be stronger than ever before. Because we are runners, and we do not back down.

And in the words of Martin Richard, No More Hurting People, Peace.

Happy Trails and Happy Running,

Tracie

Yesterday and today I ran for Boston. As I watched the news yesterday, I became so overwhelmed and left the house in tears. Today, I wanted to be out there with the thousands of other people wearing our favorite race shirts, supporting those affected by yesterday’s tragedy. And with every runner I saw, there was a smile, a nod, and a silent understanding. In our own way, hundreds of miles away from Boston, we were showing our support the best way we knew how. By running. There truly is no better sport.

 

 RememberBostonBib-419x286

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