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February 28, 2005
When I felt like quitting
Today at lunch I went for a 5.5 mile run, the same route as the last time. Overall the run felt good! But there were three times when I felt like quitting:
· Before I reached the first long uphill run.
· When I first turned the corner to head back West into Downtown and a cold, powerful gust of wind hit my face and body.
· Right after the last long downhill run.
After I started up the hill it was no problem. I loved the challenge and enjoyed the straining of my muscles. But before the hill I must have been anticipating the tough climb and how hard it was going to be. Isn’t that how we sabotage ourselves in other areas of our life also? Often things get built up in our minds and could be insurmountable and we feel like quitting before we even get into the struggle.
The cold air took my breath away and the stong wind was pushing against me suddenly. Often things take us by surprise and it stings and makes our heart stop. We want to quit just because it suddenly became overwhelming.
After the last long downhill, the run was almost over and the terrain was flat again. But I had to work going downhill also and my legs took a pounding. I knew I was almost done and it was tempting to walk the rest of the way, after all I did all the hard work already. But to complete the entire run and compare my time with my previous time, I had to do the whole thing to my high standard. I ran 8.5 minute miles and was not dissappointed. I was happy I finished the whole job.
It seems to me there are a thousand reasons to quit, give up, but for me it’s usually a mental game. To get through it I try to look at the reason I’m doing what I’m doing, and ask myself if quitting will help me toward that purpose. I try and keep the bigger picture in mind. Then I remember that usually once I get into it, it’s never as tough as my mind makes it out to be. So I usually dive into things now and keep going.
I didn’t quit running today but I felt like it three times.
Posted by carl1236 at February 28, 2005 10:33 PM | Attitude