Sunday's super awesome run!

I first have to admit that I have been reading a book called "Running for Dummies". It's an awesome book, so don't laugh. I have specifically been reading the chapter on training for your half marathon. Although I would like to run a full...I figure I should train for the half first. In the book, it suggests to use Saturday or Sunday for your long run and then rest the day after...so I have chosen to do my long runs on Sunday.

I left at about 7pm for my run. And I ran. In my head, I visualized certain landmarks along my route as the finish line...and raced to them. First, I ran to the river. Then I ran to the Northern store. I ran towards the Prairies and then turned to run towards the corner Pocket. Once I got there, I took the road behind it, and ran past Jeffery's home until I got to a fork in the road. There, I took the quad trail. It took me through the woods to the baseball diamond and from there I ran home. I walked three times during my run, and each time for less that a minute. And get this...I ran the whole time. No jogging, no fast walking...I was all out running. My body felt great and wasn't hurting at all. My breathing wasn't too laboured, so I was able to physically push myself. But the part I am so proud of myself for is the excellent mental state I was in. I was able to convince myself and my body that the finish line was really where I was imagining it to be...the river, the northern, the RCMP station, etc. I was able to make my body run faster by simply tell myself too with my thoughts. I had beautiful form and continuously was evaluating it during the run to make sure I didn't forget anything (arms not crossing over, feet not slapping down, lean back a bit). I ran past each imaginary finish line and immediately worked to convince myself that I was just starting a new race...and I would push myself to run even faster.

I don't remember ever having such excellent control over my running. It really is all about your mentality. You will believe what you tell yourself to believe. And this is true for all areas of life. I can't is only true if you believe it. I can is only true if you believe it. So, tell yourself you can. Believe you can. And if you fail, it's just part of getting there. It's not the finish line. I can run a marathon. I would fail if I tried today....but I am training so I can get there. How silly to say, "I can't run a marathon".

There is power in positive thinking.