Good evening lovelies! I’m starting a new series on the blog entitled “What I’ve Learned.” I plan to do a few posts about running, college life, and anything else I think of that I feel qualified to write about!! 
Before I get into the meat of this post, I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind lately. As you’ve all noticed, I haven’t been posting very frequently…at all. I’ve said it numerous times before, but second semester of my junior year has been insane. Usually, when I find (or make) time for myself, I just want to veg out and watch one of my favorite television shows. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE to blog. I love to really reflect on my experiences and share them, and blogging allows me to do that! However, I’ve been feeling a bit guilty about my lack of posting…
I thought about quitting the blog altogether because it didn’t seem fair for me to only post once a week or once every two weeks. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that I WILL keep blogging. Sometimes I just feel the urge to write. Just like with food, I need to listen to my body. I will blog when inspiration strikes or when I need an outlet. I am not going to force myself to blog though because I CANNOT handle anymore obligations at the moment.
Anyways, I just wanted to inform you all of that. I’m still here Just not as frequently as I have been!
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Now, onto the good stuff!
Yesterday was my long run day, and I totally beasted 5 miles! Let me rephrase that, I physically beasted 5 miles. Mentally, I was struggling.
Backtrack to Sunday morning. I wake up and begin getting around for my 5 mile run. All the while I’m rationalizing in my head why I should run 4 miles instead of the 5 I had planned. For an entire 20 minutes the only thought going through my head was “I should do a 4 mile run. 4 miles will be great.” Over, and over, and over again…
Until I finally said to myself, “SHUTUP!”
Then my head was quiet.
And I asked myself, “Why shouldn’t I run 5 miles? I’ve successfully ran 4 miles on numerous occasions. This 5 mile run is part of my half-marathon training. I need to keep increasing mileage (albeit, slowly). SO WHY ARE YOU SO ADAMANT ON RUNNING 4 MILES INSTEAD OF 5?”
Then the realization hit me: I didn’t want to plan on 5 miles because I was scared of failure. I was scared I might not complete my planned workout.
So, I made a mental list of all the reasons I should plan for a 5 mile workout:
1. If I feel too tired before 5 miles is over, I can always stop.
2. I can take walking breaks whenever I am tired.
3. Even if I quit at 2 miles, I DID NOT FAIL. I (and you!) should be proud of ANY workout whether it is walking a block or running a marathon! We are challenging and bettering ourselves!
And with my new mindset, I set out to complete 5 miles. And I conquered it! Sure it was a slow 5 miles (12:00 mile pace), but I felt great at the end!
Take note: Do not be afraid to set goals out of fear of failure! At worst you can learn from your experience, pick yourself up, and try again.
Have a fantastic week my dears.
XOXO,
Jamie
Nice job!!!! It’s so crazy how much of running is mental. I know that, and yet I’ve never been able to go more than 7 miles! I’m making it my goal to do 10 at some point this year!!!! I need to stop getting freaked out about running!
If there you can do 7 then there is no reason you can’t do 10! If running makes you bored out of your mind though, don’t force it! Just listen to yourself
It really is all about the mindset at times. But once we’re done it actually feels so much better that we forget why we felt so “blah” to begin with. And then the same thing happens again. So it’s great that you got to figure out why you felt that way in the first place
We all need to start being kinder to ourselves, not just physically but emotionally too. Congrats on the 5 miles!!
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