I had one simple goal today.
After indulging in many gluten filled treats over the weekend (and then paying for all those wonderful indulgences–oh, it still makes my stomach roll over!), celebrating my birthday, and taking care of a sick little boy all week, I had one goal.
My goal: Combine an hour run with a tempo pace. That is, run a bit faster than I normally would for an hour run.
I started off well. I did choose a relatively hilly portion of the Santa Fe trail…probably should rethink that next time.
I felt great. My legs, my lungs, my mind. All in sync.
Then, boom, around mile 6 it hit! I was tired, I didn’t want to finish. My breathing was more like heaving, not rhythmic. Usually I make myself slow down but not stop. Usually I tell myself, buck up girl, this will help you get to that big goal–Boston qualifying time!
But I stopped. Right in the middle of the trail. I stopped. I didn’t care that the runner behind me passed me. I took several lugs of water. I stopped until my breathing became more normal.
The stop was only 4 minutes. But after I started running again, I was fast. I finished strong. I felt great.
Isn’t that how life is? At least for me, I often challenge myself to just keep going, slow down but DON”T STOP! Because I’m afraid that if I stop, I won’t start again. When actually, I should have just stopped for quick moment.
For me, stopping looks like this: a 20 minute nap in the middle of the day, not folding the three loads of laundry that have been staring me in the face, choosing to order take out for dinner one night…the list goes on. But simple things. Simple things that revive me and I am a stronger, better wife and mother after I STOP.
So today, if life is hectic and harried…just stop for a moment. Whatever you like. Light that candle, read that chapter in the book you’ve been meaning to, call that friend you miss, journal for a bit, whatever gets your engines moving.
Because I have a feeling that when you stop for a bit, you’ll finish stronger than you ever thought possible!
I was born in Jos, Nigeria many years ago. I spent the next nineteen years living in Liberia, Kenya and Ethiopia.
I love this post! You are so right. I tend to be this way too. I push and push myself then I’m so exhausted I’m no use to anybody. My son has been sick for the past 5 days, and after I put both kids down for their nap after lunch, I took a 20 minute nap. I felt SO much better afterward, and was able to attack dinner with much more energy (I cook while they nap — it takes me so much less time since I’m not continually getting interrupted and having to solve issues between them!) But I rarely do this. Usually I just give myself a pep talk and press through, but then I’m dragging all afternoon. Thanks for this great reminder!
Love it!!!!