Saturday, September 26, 2015

September 26th, 2015 A Mental Juggling Act

September 26th, 2015 A Mental Juggling Act

Setting up accountability and support measures are two of the most critical important points of focus in my opinion. Without mine in place, I wouldn't be writing this--and honestly, I'd likely be back to my heaviest weight in record time. 

Over two months ago, I declared my goal in this blog and on my radio show. I'm going to jog the Carter's Run 5K without stopping or walking. I couldn't imagine jogging too much more than a minute without stopping when this declaration was made. This is a prime example of employing accountability and support measures. Had I kept it to myself, I wouldn't have done it, I guarantee. I did it this morning.
photo at20the20finish_zpsbx3ggaks.jpg
My pace was slow, but I never broke the jogging stride. It was a struggle. Right after the starting gun, I naturally started trying to keep up with others. I quickly had to slow my pace and refocus on the most literal interpretation of consistency beats intensity. I wasn't competing against other runners. I was competing with myself.

I took the wrong course on Wednesday's trial run. Upon arriving this morning, I discovered the opening leg of this 5K went up and around a big hill. I wasn't planning on this. Between the automatic response of trying to keep up from the start and this hill, it wasn't looking good early. I was surprised at how my brain immediately started generating really good reasons why I couldn't or shouldn't do it without walking or stopping and this was in the first five minutes!! I mean really, there's nothing wrong with walking or stopping--it's just, I couldn't. This was a goal that meant something to me. I had to quickly change my focused thoughts by concentrating on the music and the thought that every stride is getting me closer to the finish, while maintaining a pace I could handle for the duration. It was a mental juggling act.

Once I made it past the half-way point, I started getting mentally strong. And once I crossed the bridge toward the home stretch, there wasn't any way I was breaking the jogging stride.
  photo runningthe5K_zpsmwphzeai.jpg
Finishing the 5K and accomplishing my goal was incredibly rewarding. I sat down in the sun, drank some water and ate a couple of banana chunks. It felt incredible. And it was awesome to be a part of something incredibly important. This run was in benefit of autism research and awareness.

I took this natural high to my car and ran some errands with the medal around my neck and my bib number still attached. I was proud! I bought a few things and headed home to prepare a good lunch.

A midday nap was needed and I took it in order to be my best for the wedding I was asked to dj tonight. The wedding couldn't have gone better.

The 5K this morning, the wedding tonight-- it was a full day I'll not soon forget.

I wanted to elaborate on the latest Winning Loser Video Blog, but I'll need to save that for tomorrow night. I'm exhausted tonight.

Letting the tweets take it the rest of the way.

My Tweets Today:




































Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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14 comments:

  1. SLM0406September 27, 2015 at 6:34 AM

    Congratulations on meeting this goal, Sean - awesome job! I know the biggest thing I learned recently about running (okay, jogging - not actually ready for running yet!) is that you can "recover" from that hill you were sure was going to flatten you, and without stopping or walking. Amazed me how a little level ground will do the trick! I guess that jogging must be mostly a mental thing, just like weight recovery.

    I love your "consistency beats intensity" mantra! Going to do my best to adopt it.

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2015 at 7:15 AM

    You did it! I am so proud of you, Sean. Shirley from TN

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  3. MarisaSeptember 27, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    I know a lot of cross country runners (some of whom ran the 5k yesterday) and have learned from them that the mental game is critical.

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  4. MarisaSeptember 27, 2015 at 8:14 AM

    I know a lot of cross country runners (some of whom ran the 5k yesterday) and have learned from them that the mental game is critical.

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  5. Connie4933September 27, 2015 at 8:42 AM

    This post brought tears to my eyes! I got very emotional reading it and seeing your post-run picture. You did great Sean!! Just so very proud of your accomplishments!

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  6. CaronSeptember 27, 2015 at 11:47 AM

    Fantastic! Love goals met. I need to make one or two goals myself, but they will not include running. :) At 67, I'll just walk and do my Silver Sneakers classes and ride my bike.

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  7. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2015 at 11:56 AM

    WTG Sean! You did it! How fantastic for you!!
    :)
    Now, rest.
    Rosie

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  8. KerstinSeptember 27, 2015 at 12:09 PM

    What a great day and achievement, congratulations Sean!!! You keep being such an inspiration and there is so much I am learning from you :) Thank you!

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  9. NancySeptember 27, 2015 at 1:27 PM

    Congrats!!! You did it!!!! HOORAY !!!!!!!!!!!
    N~

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  10. DeeSeptember 27, 2015 at 4:34 PM

    So happy for you Sean, congratulations that's awesome. Dee x

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  11. RettaSeptember 27, 2015 at 5:55 PM

    Yay! You won the battle of the mind, and finished the race the way you wanted to. Very inspiring!

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  12. GingerSeptember 27, 2015 at 6:41 PM

    Congratulations, Sean! Way to go! I know that it wasn't easy for you to jog 5K without stopping or walking, but it was necessary for you to do it in terms of holding yourself accountable for the promise you made to yourself, to your blog/twitter followers and to your listeners on air. So impressive!

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  13. saraSeptember 27, 2015 at 8:31 PM

    Awesome accomplishment! Congratulations Sean.......

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  14. HelenSeptember 28, 2015 at 12:21 PM

    90 percent of all runs are 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical. "Just keep running" has always been my own personal mantra. You know, you say it to drown out that negative left brain!

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I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Thank you for your support!