Run With Sheri

Do you ever have days that you wake up and don’t feel 100%? Not because you are over worked or battling illness/injury. Maybe you got bad sleep for one night, ate something that didn’t agree with you or there may be no reason at all. You just know you are not operating to your fullest for that day.

What do you do if that’s on a run day? Or worse, a speed work out day? Or even worse, on race day? There really isn’t much you can do about changing the way your body feels but you can change your perception of the situation. This happened to me this week for my speed workout day. I knew in the morning I only had about 60-70% in my tank. So what did I do? I took a page out on the book, “Inner Excellence “. You know the book Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was reading on the side lines at the Super Bowl? In this book, Jim Murphy talks about giving 100% of all you have that day. So if on that day you only have 60%, you still give 100% of that 60%. This resonates with my core value of determination which is one of my purposes for running. A determined person will accept the hand they are dealt and play the best hand possible with those cards and not be wishing they had a different hand. So as I went into the 15 interval workout that day I gave all I had even though I was not at 100% because that’s the way I like to show up in this world as a runner and as a person. And to my surprise, because I had no expectations, I still progressed and got stronger each interval. All because of my mindset going in.
Having a strong sense of purpose can help you change the way you approach every day challenges. What core value or purpose did you lean on this week?

When you set running goals is your worth or success as a runner dependent on outcome goals? So many runner fall into the trap of letting their outcome goals define their performance and who they are as a runner. But how many times in life have you allowed outcome goals to drive you and once you achieve that goal you feel empty? I can say from experience that I’ve fallen trap to the arrival fallacy and frankly it just doesn’t feel as good to reach that goal as I ever dreamed it would. When I decided to used outcome goals to allow myself to change how I approach a training cycle and use process goals as a way to measure my success, I was truly able to enjoy my journey and use running as a tool to change my mindset. Once you have created a new mindset in one area of life it becomes easier to have that transcend to all areas of your life. So back on March 2nd when I achieved my goal of qualifying for Boston at all the 6 marathon majors and ultimately receiving my 6 star medal I had tears in my eyes. I reflected on the amazing 8 year journey I took to arrive at that moment and all the beautiful lessons I learned along the way. Instead of feeling empty and thinking, “now what?” I was able to feel at peace and excitement about all the new adventures that await through running.

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This will be my last time visiting my family at their home in Central Missouri as it will close with its new owners on June 30th.

As I run through the familiar streets I can't help but think of how this road is a metaphor for life. These hilly streets have their ups and downs but ultimately that road always leads home. And by home I don't mean the physical structure.

Every time you step out of your comfort zone you will ultimately learn more about who you are regadless of the outcome. Whether you took that road and owned it or fell down a few times and had to crawl. You always have the opportunity to come back to who you are at your core and remind yourself how utterly amazing you are.

As I take one step in front of the other, I'm not saying goodbye, I'm saying thank you. Thank you for guiding me on my journey, allowing me to continue to define and discover who am I and giving me the courage to always go to any road curious with an open mind. This road may be ending but my road is endless with opportunity.

Looking for a running coach to help to on your road to discovery? I would be honored to be your guide.

Www.rws-endurance.com

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