MAY The Force BE With You!

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” 

― Robert F. Kennedy

Running (Blog) Reminder...

Looking at the currentt number of my  blog posts for 2015 is very encouraging for me.  

I'm beyond my least productive blog year and almost half-way to my most prolific blogging year. 

Behind the numbers of blogs are stories written from the heart and my hope, as I wrote them,  were to inspire readers and motivate them to work on their goals, take the first step in realizing their dreams and never give up no matter how many obstacles there are along the way.  

I  promise myself, I would make even more effort to blog.  Not solely to share thoughts, experiences to all my followers - family, friends, fellow runners and health enthusiast - but most importantly to remember what matters most.

Since I begun with blogging, the main goal has always been focused on keeping up with communication to stimulate interaction.

Perhaps most of the time it seems on the outside mostly one sided; the readers silently sharing my experiences, sometimes leaving comments of encouragement, congratulatory messages or words identifying with what I have shared. 

There are many tools and ways to generate more blog readers but since my focus and energy are mostly channeled to bringing myself outdoors, participating in life as much as I can, and  creating a blogpost about each attempt, I am happy to say, that I am very satisfied with the "number of people" (mostly silent followers :) ) I have met through this blog (and on my other blogs).

They (their friendships, their words of encouragement both public and private) have enriched my life, as I hope in some way reading my blogs have enriched theirs.

I feel truly accomplished and at peace with myself, like I have never been before.  

The feeling of silent bliss is there, even if I just recently came out of a depressive cycle of my bipolar disorder.  

The feeling of success is within me, even if my last marathon attempt ended at kilometer 32 and not at the finish line.

POST 32K THOUGHTS

Running Connections . . .

My family and I are closer than ever before, and I am proud of each one them - my partner, our kids (total of 5 together), and their family.  

When you deal with something that greatly influences your quality of life, you have an even deeper appreciation for the people, who are dear to you.  Most specially for those who are witness to your struggles; they are the very same people who keeps you going the most.

I have always valued my friendships, and even more the past years.  

You Got Mail, Mom!

From Ireland with Love XXX

Running Friends Lifts You Up

Baby Steps . . .

My health has greatly improved both mentally  and physically.  Still, I often forget how far I have come compared to 20+ years ago.  

This is why I have this blog, as a reminder to myself that blogging helped me, and continue to help me focus on the progress and let go of the (unhealthy) impetus for perfection.

Focus on friendships, connections and let go of the critical voice in my head, which tries to alienate me from myself and others.

Running has been a great factor in the many health choices I made.  It is not only in my daily life but in the grand scheme of things; I make many decisions that I will could maintain a healthy body able to run and be able to run to not only clear my head but run with a lighter being.

Letting go of unhealthy relationships and unhealthy behavior patterns are just some of the major changes I have done shortly before I started running and I continue both in the pursuit to be a better runner and better person.

Future Path...

In the past 3 running years, I always have a goal for each year to focus on.

This has changed, this year.  You can read more about this change of perspective - well, let's call it an improvement of perspective on my last day of April Instagram post.

Short excerpt:

It is no longer the hunt for the quick runner's (race) high but establishing a strong relationship with your passion to be active outdoors, with the running community and with the road/trail/beach...the ground you choose to connect with… 

Running is a way of life not merely a way to reach a goal, nor a means to reach destinations.

I hope to make it clearer for you in my blogposts this May, how I will go about this.

For now, I wish you all a great month of May, and send you positive energy from the beautiful Holland; the small but very active country, which helped my feet take it's first happy steps towards empowering changes!

Finding "The Force" to Run

image from Google

As much as there are a LOT  of excuses one could think of (or one legitimately has!) to skip running/training or to finally begin with running, there is a much longer list of  how to motivate yourself to run, and keep yourself motivated.

Truly.

I won't list down the excuses I feel, I  "legitimately" have every day, nor the excuses that my left brain has nagged me (and keeps on nagging me!).

Excuses, which sadly successfully broke me down in the past until I gave in, resulting to more than a few painful experiences in my races and running.

This would be very counter-productive!

Nope. Not going to give my left brain further satisfaction, than it already has.

Instead, I will share, focus and highlight what keeps me motivated.

Below are my top 5 of how I keep myself motivated on days I feel very low on #LoveRunning positive energy.

I chose to share 5 because it equals the distance (5K) I ran in my first race.  A distance most aspiring would-be runners aim/train for, when they begin with running.

It can be considered a "relatively short" distance but when one is simply beginning (or returning to running after a break), the effort equals running a marathon in one's mind.

Perhaps, I will be sharing more sources of motivation every Friday. For now my top 5, mentioned in no special order. A baby step.

1. Recalling a great memory of a memorable run/race.

“Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.”

― L.M. Montgomery, The Story Girl

Many runners experience even after years of running: a struggle to begin.  A feeling as if one is literally in pain (all in the mind though!) while preparing to go out for a run.

This run maybe a "simple run" after a required pause due to injury, or stress in personal life, or a vacation.  Even when prepping for a race, one has trained for, one can struggle to go to run the race.

image from Google

When one has don on one's training/race gear, and is one step out of one's home, a huge step has already been made.

As soon as you are on the move for 5-10 minutes (10 minutes max. Promise!), you will be filled with gladness that you conquered yourself, and broke through the worst barrier you are confronted with: your own voice in your head that seems to constantly say, "Not today!".

Each run you will do, will one day be an accumulation of memories (see No. 3) you can fall back on , when you struggle.

Keeping this scenario in mind should be enough to animate you to run to create (great & unforgettable!) running memories.

YES, today!
This is what I told the voice in my head last June.
You would not see it from the look on my face on this photo but I struggled to go to our village local run - Driedorpenloop 2013 for many reasons.
There were many more great memories from this run ; I'm glad that I did not stay at home.
I ran one of my fastest pace continuously on this day.

2. Rewarding self OR accepting an unexpected reward.

image from Google

This varies for every runner.

I have a long list of ideas for personal rewards for running achievements or for reaching simple running goals.

Today I will share what for me is the most obvious reward, a runner can give herself/himself: a pair of new running shoes!

After a succesful year of continuous running (August 2011 - August 2012 : my first RUNniversary!), I rewarded myself with a new pair of running shoes.

My Nike Lunar Glide, bought September 2012

A few months later (December, 2012), I got a DM (direct message) via my @PaperInEurope Twitter inbox  from @NikeRunning.  They wrote, that they have noticed my runs, and I will be receiving a reward!

As promised, just in time for Spring Running (March, 2013)! I received these beauties:

3. Recording running adventures on different social media channels.


My story on No.2 of this list (just one of many rewarding stories!) will probably show you, when you simply go about your running business, record it, share it  (on your blog, on Facebook, Twitter, instragram, etc),  you will not only have a clear picture of how you are progressing  but in the process receive a pleasant surprise!

Happy Feet in the Netherlands FB page

@HappyFeetNL

Surprise gifts are awesome. 

What is more awesome are the great connection with others, whom you can meet through the various channels of social media. 

These connections are priceless.  These people who share your passion or respect you for your passion, can help you keep motivated if you allow yourself to be open to the connection.


4.  Give as much motivation, if not more as one receive.

A philosopy I learned through life experience. An age old wisdom: giving is better than receiving!

It is not only through the running community, that you can give and receive motivation but in daily life.  This topic deserves a blog in itself because of the magnitude of how it has positively influenced my personal view of life, and lives of many others.

Basically, the more you give positive support (energy) to others, without expectations the more energetic you will feel.

Below are the running pages of social running groups, where I met very good and supportive running friends for life.

Loopmaatjes FB Page

Running Junkies FB Page

5. Follow the running adventures of fellow runners & athletes you respect and admire.

Blogged : In the Presence of an Olympianleft: moi middle: Churandy Martina right: Udjen Lewis

As with No. 4 I need another post to write extensively about how I keep myself motivated by following the running adventures of athletes I admire, and fellow runners I am friends with in real life. 

Or those magnificent (running & non-running souls), whom I've met online and communicate with via their blogs.

In brief: we identify with the struggles and celebrate with the success of those who share our passion.

Knowing we are not alone, that even those who have achieved (world wide)  success in their field (what their passionate above!) struggles and overcome obstacles,  can keep us motivated towards having a positive attitude.  If they can conquer and achieve, so could we!

Whoever you are, wherever you may be, I wish you a great weekend, and leave you with the words of Yoda: May the Force (literally!) be with you (on your weekend training)!