Pushing, Embracing & Respecting Your Body

Tags

Mental Health, training

Do any of you remember the old CBC show “Yes You Can”? I used to watch it fairly regularly when I was younger and one of my favourite bits was Coach Cuddles Ford (a character name that nowadays would never, EVER pass – for the record). The gist of Coach Cuddles is that he would eat a healthy food and explain how it would give him enough energy to do a certain exercise for X number of minutes. Pretty progressive stuff, looking back at it.

Invariably, Coach Cuddles would suffer some catastrophic injury and then there would be a cartoon about the damaged body part, its treatment and rehab. Again – probably way ahead of its time but it’s always stuck with me and definitely become more relevant as I am now a reborn runner and facing my forties square in the face.

At this point, you are either reminiscing with me or wondering when I am going to get to the point. Well, if you’re in the second category – way to stick with it! What I’m getting at here the importance of listening to your body, respecting it and taking care of it. A lot of runners have the tendency to push themselves very hard – “testing their limits” – and while progress and improvement definitely require hard work, a balance must be struck.

When I was younger, I definitely subscribed to the “no pain, no gain” school of thought. I don’t think that this is the best approach though and I have adapted it now to “be comfortable with being uncomfortable”. What’s the difference? It comes down to realizing that pain is most often your body’s way to tell you to stop doing whatever it is doing – right now. We all have different thresholds, but we all inherently know when we are tired/sore/achy versus when we are in pain.

I honestly feel as though the improvements I’ve made (in the past year in particular) are a result of training smarter and giving my body a break when it’s asked for one. I’m not looking to break any records or land a spot on the Olympic team, so staying healthy and improving incrementally are not just more realistic goals but more sensible given my desire to be a runner for as long as my body allows.

The “never give up” mantra is a tough one to overcome in any athletic arena, but it is one that runners constantly hear. There is a lot of inadvertent pressure and even shaming that occurs and drives many of us to the point of hurting ourselves, setting ourselves back or even ending our ability to run at all. I can stop at any point during a run. I can withdraw from a race if I’m not ready or in the best shape to run the distance. I can even drop out of a race and I should never feel ashamed or embarrassed.

Never giving up can also mean knowing when to call it a day and keeping the bigger picture in mind. Ultimately, what I never want to give up is my ability to lace up, open the door and hit the road for a run.

 

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Up Yours, Winter!!

Tags

bogtrotters, events, Mental Health, race event guide, spring, training

We have finally passed the first full day of spring, but it seems as though rather than going out quietly, winter would rather thrash around and pummel us a little further with its final death throes. No matter, I feel confident that we can all soon exhale and dust off our t-shirts and shorts for regular exposure to sunlight.
While I don’t feel as though I have been overly successful in organizing a regular run for the local group I started quite a while back, Saturday we had our second consecutive solstice/equinox run where we said goodbye to winter with a short and relaxed group run. The last semi-official Bogtrotters group run was on December 21st, the shortest day of the year, so this seemed like a good time to do another and maybe make a tradition of welcoming/saying goodbye to each season. We had a small but mighty turnout but it was still a lot of fun!

With spring here, racing season is just around the corner and if you look at any of the race listing sites (Race Event Guide is pretty darn good for all of Atlantic Canada) you can see that the calendar is really starting to pick up. While I am doing a greatly reduced racing schedule this year, I am really looking forward to having regular “mini-goals” to keep me focused.
I try not to be overly philosophical with my running and just try to enjoy it, but I do think that keeping my attention from drifting too far into the future and staying in the present with my running and life in general is going to be key to how things go over the next while. I will push myself when I feel strong, pull back or rest when my body tells me to do that and also remember that running is only as enjoyable as I find it on any given day. It’s ok to have other priorities, commitments and interests (although none come immediately to mind – haha).
So, here’s to spring, summer and warmer days ahead. Raise your toques and give yourself a salute for getting through another winter. Better days are ahead – and only memories and lessons learned lay behind.
Happy running!

The Road to STWM

Tags

marathon, Mental Health, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Toronto, training

This is a big week for me as I officially kick off my training for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon as outlined by my awesome coach, Chuck Dixon. This is going to require a fairly radical shift in my training approach, but not the actual mileage per week as I will be running much more frequently but at much shorter distances.

I ran 5km on Monday morning which is not a distance I run in training all that often, so the pacing and feel of it was almost unfamiliar to me. With most of my runs being 15km or longer for the past few months, I often don’t feel warmed up or into a rhythm until I have 7 or 8 kilometres under my belt. I will also be running 6 days a week most weeks now, after running only 3 or 4 times per week since December.

There are several lessons that my recent training has taught me. Some of them are obvious – maybe all of them are – but I still think they are worth sharing.

1) Even with specific race goals, the majority of your running should be FUN. Yes there are going to be tough workouts. Yes, there are going to be days that the motivation is low and it’s hard to get your gear on and get out the door. But if you’re regularly finishing your workouts and not feeling better or at least glad that you did it, then you need to evaluate what is going on. Unless you are an elite runner who is actually running for a living, then you need to keep perspective. If running feels like a job, then something needs to change.

2) Unless you want to have bigger problems and have them sooner rather than later, you should always listen to your body. Missing a workout is ok. Shortening a run is ok. Stubbornly ignoring pain is not ok. Being a total slave to your training schedule is not ok. The fitness lost for most of us by adjusting these workouts is not only negligible, but the benefits we gain from extra rest can actually outweigh any loss.

3) Having variety in your training routine is important as there are physical and mental benefits from cross training. The best example for me is how much I have gained (or kept from losing) this winter while using my mag trainer. Stationary biking has saved a lot of pounding on my legs, improved my cadence when I get out for my runs and been a nice change of pace. I think if I was doing nothing other than biking, it would quickly lose its charm, but having a solid option for alternate days or in case of really terrible weather has been a revelation.

Those are the main things that I feel that have really been driven home by my last stretch of running. I have started the year with decent mileage, a positive attitude and what I hope is a solid plan taking me through my third full marathon in October. As I mentioned, these haven’t been necessarily new lessons, but ones I am trying to make part of my everyday practice.

Do you have any lessons that you had to learn multiple times before you actually stuck with them? I’d love to hear about it! Comment below and share your own experiences.

Happy running!

WCS Thinking

Tags

Mental Health, running, training

Mood, like training (or life in general) has an ebb and flow to it. For most runners, mood and training seem to have a highly positive correlation – meaning that when training is going well, mood is elevated. The flip side of this is that when training is NOT going well, or is interrupted, mood tends to plummet off a cliff.

I’m speaking in generalities of course. Not every runner I know feels such an intense connection to their training – but a lot of us do. For me, I have come to view running as the number one anti-depressant in my life, so any issue interfering with that brings almost instant anxiety. Being aware of this helps, but it doesn’t prevent the tailspin from happening.

I almost made it through the entire month of January without this happening, but an unfortunate (if not semi-hilarious) injury has kept me from running for a couple of days. I won’t get into details other than to say it involved repeatedly stepping on a cat while trying not to step on said cat and ending up a crumpled heap on the floor. It would make a spectacular video, I’m sure. The result is strained intercostal muscles in my ribs and a couple of days of taking it easy.

Again, logically I know that a couple of days (or even a few) isn’t going to have a detrimental effect on my overall training or goals. What I’m still working on is the “end of the world as I know it” thoughts that come along with the smallest hiccup. I have dubbed this Worst Case Scenario or (WCS) Thinking. It’s not catchy, but it’s not supposed to be.

Here is an example of how it works;

Time: Random Winter Day

Location: Anywhere it is considered normal to experience heavy snowfall or even blizzards.

Rational Thinking: “Oh, poo. I may have to run on the treadmill. Or cross-train. At least I have food, shelter and literally dozens of modern conveniences within my reach. An extra day of rest might actually help me as well.”

WCS Thinking: “The snowpocalypse is upon us!! The roads will literally never be safe to run on again. If I dare set foot outside of my house, I will surely be hit by a rogue Camry with all season tire on or devoured by a yeti. Or, due to slippery footing, I will catastrophically tear all the ligaments in my legs.”

Would you like a second example?

Time: Any time I cannot run due to pain, illness or life in general.

Rational thinking: “As soon as I am able, I will be back out there running. It’s not like I have the Olympics trials or I am unable to do other things to stay fit and active.”

WCS Thinking: “I am never going to be able to run again. There is no point in putting in any effort, as another injury or obstacle will always prevent me from achieving even the modest goals I have set for myself.”

The first example is a bit extreme, but the second is literally the type of thinking I deal with on a regular basis. Battling the voice that wants you to give up, that keeps asking “what’s the point?” and makes it so much easier to focus on the setbacks than the progress is exhausting.

I wish this post was more about how this thinking is getting rarer for me or the tools I incorporate in my routine to quickly get back on track – but it isn’t. It’s just sharing the thought process as well as the difficulty it creates. I find it more than a little ironic that I have a hard time applying skills or habits I developed through more than a decade as a professional personal counsellor to my own situation. That being said, I did find an interesting resource here.

There are days that the WCS Thinking is the only thinking that I can focus on. And there is always the fear that it could be right. I’m very fortunate to have an amazing partner who helps me on these days, as well as some close friends and even the online running community. If you deal with this type of thinking or know someone who does, the only thing I can tell you is that –at least so far for me – that voice is a big fat liar. Remind yourself of that and identify the people or other resources that can help you when the thoughts get so loud that they crowd positive thinking out.

If you read this because you follow my blog, you follow me on Facebook or Twitter or somehow a search engine happened to bring you here, I want to thank you for taking the time to read this post. I also want you to know that if you ever need to talk about your own WCS Thinking, I’m willing to listen and talk to you as well.

Take care of yourself – and happy running!

Life Balance

Tags

chat, Life Balance, Mental Health, RunAtCan, running

“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” – Stephen Covey

This Sunday night, the #RunAtCan chat I have been hosting on Twitter for the past few months is going to be about the challenge of life balance for runners with multiple other commitments. These other commitments include work, family, volunteer opportunities and (gasp!) other activities we are involved with on a regular basis.

Ahead of the chat, I thought it might be helpful to put my own thoughts together on the topic – at least partially (it is a HUGE topic, after all). Life balance is close to my heart – having been a mental health professional for many years, I know how common a struggle it is as well as how difficult it can be to achieve. Ironically, while I feel as though I had a good professional grasp on what it took for a person to work towards improving their own life balance, it is something that I was unsuccessful at in my own life.

I believe that the majority of us have a tendency to focus outwards and examine how the other important people in our lives are managing their day to day habits. We feel a responsibility to care for those around us to our own detriment. While this seems like the normal (even noble?) thing to do, what we are doing is ultimately very unhealthy for us. It seems counterintuitive, but in order to truly take care and be there for our loved ones we have to take care of ourselves above and beyond anyone else.

Taking care of yourself so that you are in the best physical and mental state possible is NOT selfish. I really, really cannot emphasize that enough. Being selfish is making decisions or taking actions regardless of how they affect others – you are solely focused on how it makes things better for you. Making decisions to keep yourself physically and emotionally fit enable you to care your loved ones long term. It also models healthy habits to your loved one that may then emulate – which also helps them as it is a lifetime change rather than a temporary assist.

What are some things that you can do to evaluate and improve your life balance? Here are a few suggestions – although it is by no means an exhaustive list.

1. Prioritize!!! Before you do anything else, ask yourself who are the people and what are the things that bring you the most joy in your life. Make a physical list of what is important to you and do it with complete honesty. If you’re going to bullshit yourself, you may as well just stop here. Think of your list as a recipe for happiness. The list can also be referred back to if you find yourself wandering or losing perspective.

2. Track your time. Balance doesn’t mean paying equal attention to each aspect of your life. It means paying adequate attention to each aspect. If you don’t have a good handle on how you are actually spending your time, it is harder to adjust things or make educated changes. Getting solid, representative data about where your daily, weekly and monthly time is spent is really useful. Real life is complicated and unexpected things happen, but a few days or a couple weeks of tracking your time will help you immensely.

3. Compare your priorities list with where you actually spend your time. For most of us, it can actually be quite shocking to see these two things compared. Obviously, we can’t spend all of our time doing our favourite things or being around our favourite people (unless we are extremely fortunate) but we can certainly look for ways to include more positive things in our life.

4. Look for things to eliminate. Another benefit of tracking our use of time is that we get to see how much the little, insignificant things eat into the really important things. How much time do you spend watching tv? Staring at your smartphone? Playing video games? There is nothing wrong with leisure activities – but if they are NOT on your priorities list, why do most of us spend so much time doing them?

5. Ask for help or input from others. This doesn’t mean you need to seek professional help (although it is certainly an option) but it means that you are more likely to be successful in making positive changes when you involve others. Ask a family member or friend to be a workout or accountability partner. Talk to people who you see as more organized or balanced how they do it. Go online and read about life balance. If you feel that things are not going as well as you would like, then it’s worth trying something different. It can be scary and it’s almost never easy but things rarely change on their own – you have to put some effort in yourself.

Those are just some of my thoughts. I hope you’ve found this helpful. I would really love to hear from you. If you have any questions or any resources or tips on life balance you’d like to share, please leave a comment below!!

Happy running – and happy mental health!!

A Return to Trails

Tags

Bib Rave, BibChat, cross country, Fredericton Trail Runners, Mental Health, Northface Endurance Challenge, Trail running, trails, training

 

In high school I ran track and cross country during the academic year and it wasn’t even close which I preferred. As photographic evidence, I even dug out my high school jacket (class of 1994 – wooooo!)

 

Yup – I loved cross country running. In Corner Brook, Newfoundland it was actual, honest to goodness cross country too – rooted, stony, wet trails with lots of greenery and bugs as added attractions.

At my undergrad school (Mount Allison University), there was no cross country team, so I joined a local track club and continued road racing as well. By the time I finished my second year of undergrad, I was barely running at all. Occasionally over the next few years, I would attempt a run or two but always on the road and pretty much always ending with some reason as to why it had been a bad idea. I was a long way from my cross-country days.

Now that I am re-immersed in the running world with a couple thousand kilometres under my feet as well as two marathons (why, thank you) I am beginning to remember how much I loved trail running. It was complete serendipity that led me back to this aspect of running as during one of my first BibChats with BibRave on Twitter, I won a free entry to any of The North Face Endurance Challenge series of races – which are all trail races. I initially thought I wouldn’t be able to use this fabulous prize, but as it turned out there was a race in Ontario. Even better, it was timed such that my wife not only thought I could do it, but encouraged me to register.

Having some common sense (I swear!) I knew two things that had to happen before the trail race in July. The first thing is that I had to get some experience running on trails again as it is a much different experience and feel from road racing. The second thing is that I knew I had to get actual trail running shoes to help with the training and also, of course, race day.

By another stroke of luck, there is a really active (and even better – free!!) trail running group in Fredericton, which is where I am spending the majority of this summer. The Fredericton Trail Runners meet every Monday night at a different trail head with two separate pace/distance groups each going out for roughly an hour. It’s organized by The Radical Edge and both times I’ve gotten out with the groups have been excellent!

Even during my non-running years, I was a pretty avid hiker, so I really shouldn’t be surprised by how much I have enjoyed trail running. Even with a group, it is much more of a back to nature experience. The sights and smells as well as the technical aspects of your footing and so on really spark your senses and invigorate you more so than roads (and especially tracks).

With less than four weeks to go before my race, I can say with certainty that this will not be my last foray into the trail running world. The psychological and physical benefits of mixing up training and race terrains are more than worth a second pair of shoes. Finding new ways to keep running enjoyable is always exciting.

Do you have much trail running experience, either racing or just for fun? Comment below and let me know!

Happy running!

Running and Depression

Tags

depression, Mental Health, running

I figured it was time to do a little journal entry combining the two things that occupy most of my time (at least mentally) – running and depression. Hopefully, it’s not too rambling…

It’s the first of June. Summer starts this month and racing season is really hitting its stride (pardon the pun). Even though objectively I’m aware that this year has been quite successful and I feel as though I have improved in many aspects of my running, I’m still battling feelings of discouragement. One of the more frustrating things when you experience when battling depression is sometimes you’re not sure if low moments are part of the ebb and flow everyone experiences or something else. Another time and energy consuming aspect of depression is how you react to the normal setbacks that every runner experiences at one point or another in their training.

Rather than just being an off day or being due to factors outside of your control, an underwhelming performance is a reflection of your limitations. That negative voice that you work so hard to quiet and ignore gains a little traction and tells you that all of your hard work and training has been a waste of time. Doubt sets in and you wonder if that voice is right.

Tweaks and pains are not just part of training. They are the beginning of that inevitable breakdown that you feared (or knew – just knew!) was coming. Missing a few days of training isn’t rest or recovery – it’s the top of that slippery slope to becoming sedentary again. “Isn’t it just easier to stay in?” you hear that voice ask. “Why not have that junk food? In the big picture, it’s not a big deal.”

As I’m writing this just now, I’m feeling my physiology actually change. Something that takes the things that mean the most to you away first sounds pretty awful, doesn’t it? And that’s because it is. I hate that withdrawing from the people that I need the most, avoiding the places that calm me the most and neglecting to do the things that centre me the most are the signs that I am slipping. It makes me angry.

Fortunately, I have a few things really going for me. Since accepting that I, in fact, am dealing with depression it’s been much easier for me to face it down. Pretending that some of the things I was doing and thought processes I experienced were just a fact of life wasn’t very healthy or helpful. Dealing with a mental illness is like dealing with a physical illness. It doesn’t define me and only limits me as much as I allow. Negative thoughts and withdrawal from things I enjoy are immediate red flags and correcting those habits ASAP is sometimes difficult but always important.

I also have an amazing network of support in my life. My wife Stacey has been amazing and is not only understanding of what I’m going through, but also not afraid to call me on my bullshit or point out when I am pulling back from anyone or anything she knows to be important to me. It takes a lot of courage to do that to someone when they are struggling but it’s invaluable to me. Having other supportive people in my life to talk about how I’m feeling or even to just keep pushing me and motivating me to get out the door is also vital.

I know the rest of this year is going to be filled with challenges, accomplishments and setbacks. Part of the deal with surprising yourself is that it doesn’t always mean in a good way. Running and life are fairly unpredictable. Regardless of how well prepared you are, you can never prepare for everything and that’s ok. Experiences aren’t defined by what happens to us, but how we react to them moving forward. Sometimes it takes time to gain that perspective and sometimes we need to be reminded of it.

Happy running!

365

Tags

Boston, marathon, Mental Health, running, training

I’m writing this post today with a little hesitation. I wasn’t sure if I actually had the right to comment on how the past 12 months have affected my life as I wasn’t one of the hundreds and thousands of directly affected by the events of April 15, 2013. I wasn’t there, nor were any of my relatives and even of the few people I knew running in Boston, none were injured by the explosions that tore through Boylston Street – physically at least.

However, going for my run this morning was a very emotional experience right from the first few steps. Like so many others,  I was dedicating todays miles to Boston, but I spent the entire time just thinking about the senselessness of it all and how it’s changed my own perspective about the running community and about life in general. So what have I learned?

Every run is a gift.

Having nearly died a couple of years ago, I learned that every day is a gift. But knowing how many people who love running as much or more than I do had it ripped away from them or forever changed has made me appreciate not just every day, but every simple and enjoyable part of each day. I don’t think I will ever utter “I HAVE to run X today.” For as long as I’m able to lace up my shoes and get out the door, my attitude will be “I GET to run today” no matter how far, fast or difficult.

The running community is amazing.

I’m not sure what the purpose or goal of attacking the Boston Marathon was and honestly, I am not going to waste my time speculating. What I do know is that more runners were created one year ago today than any other day. And more people changed doing the Boston Marathon from a dream to goal as a result of what happened. We are galvanized. We are growing. And we are united.

Inspiration is never far.

There’s no doubt that seeing all of the photos of Boston survivors in recent weeks and especially all of the positivity they have expressed has been inspiring. Many of them are overcoming psychological scars which are just as haunting and real as the physical scars they bear to not only return to the marathon but compete in it. However, the running community is filled with literally tens of thousands of inspirational people. Go to any race and talk to people. Ask them why they run, how they started or what their goals are. From the person who breaks the tape to the last person across the line – every single of one of them has a unique story. We have all overcome our own challenges, fight our own demons on a daily basis and are capable of inspiring the next future runner.

It’s more than the run that matters.

Running is an individual pursuit that the group celebrates. Every runner has felt that satisfaction that comes with finishing a run, whether a race or just an easy leg stretcher. There is no describing conquering a new distance or setting a PB – but you don’t have to describe it to other runners. We all know. Even better – we all get excited about other people’s accomplishments and love encouraging and supporting each other.

I’ve met a lot of people in the past 12 months, many of them online, who support and inspire me on a daily basis. It has made a huge difference to my own confidence, happiness and overall mental health. If I’m fortunate, I will cross paths with them in real life at some point and get to thank them in person. I only hope that in some small way I also contribute to the community and have maybe even inspired a person or two myself along the way.

Happy running!

Surviving Pi(e) Day

Tags

humour, Mental Health, running, tips

It’s March 14^th, which, for math geeks and pastry fanatics alike, is a day of celebration. 3/14 – 3.14 – Pi – Pie? Get it? Basically anyone who is connected to social media of any form is aware of the punny nature of the day and uses it as an excuse – nay, a reason – to eat pie. But where does that put the runner in training who treats their body as a temple, or at least tries to eat right?

Fear not! Everything you need to know about how to deal with this conundrum will be provided in this handy dandy little post. This isn’t just about surviving Pi Day. It’s about surviving all of those occasions where you are tempted to throw all of that hard training away and dive into whatever tasty treats are placed in front of you. Keep these tips in mind and I promise everything will be alright.

1) Unless this is what you see when you look in the mirror, you at least have a little self-control.

 

                     

 

2) Unless maybe you see this.

3) Don’t use food as a comfort.

 

 

4) And don’t use it as a reward.

A common mistake I see when people are training is self-sabotage. People will say “I crushed that run today – time for deep fried cheese.” Or on the flip side “That run sucked – time for deep fried cheese!”  I guarantee if you do either 3 or 4 spontaneously, you’ll be chasing your with a dessert of guilt. With that being said…

5) Planned cheat days are better than spontaneous cheat days.

 

I’ve got a marathon in less than two months. I’ve been eating super healthy (especially relative to what my diet used to be). I don’t consume any alcohol or pop and very little “junk” food in any way shape or form. But am I missing out on Pi Day? Heck no! I’ve known about and enjoyed Pi Day with my family for several years now and I know that me having a slice of pie or two today is going to have zero impact on my results. Were I an elite runner or the race day closer, I’d have to re-evaluate but my reality is that I can enjoy that treat and not beat myself up over it.

A lot of runners I know have one day a week where they allow themselves a treat or eat something with a little more fat/sugar/whatever than usual. This helps them from temptation the rest of the week and also helps to keep that sense of being in control.

 

6) Avoid places/situations/events that are too tempting.

 

You’re only human. However, we rarely ever end up in tempting situations without advanced warning. If you’re trying to eat healthy then hitting the clubs, eating out frequently and so on may not be the best ideas.

 

7) Moderation is the key.

Sure it’s a cliché, but it’s a cliché for a reason – it’s true. Having a piece of candy isn’t a big deal. Swimming in Willy Wonka’s chocolate river, however, may hinder your marathon performance. That’s just a fact.

 

 

8) Surround yourself with like-minded people.

Some people are just not respectful of what you are trying to accomplish. They aren’t necessarily malicious, but they seem to take your dietary choices as a challenge. It’s easier to be around those who are trying to accomplish the same things as you. If not, they should at least be supportive and not hassle you about what you are or aren’t eating.

 

9) Find healthier alternatives.

 

As a species, humans are exceptionally creative. Did you know that you can actually find healthy foods that are actually delicious? It’s true! Gluten free pizza crusts, using honey as a sweetener, snacking on fruits and veggies – all things that are easy to do. Any time I’m at a function with snack tables, I head straight to the fruit, veggies and cheese to fill up my plate. I enjoy them every bit as much as the cookies and pastries and don’t feel any guilt. Winning!

10) Focus on wholesale improvements, not occasional slip ups.

The best thing you can do to improve your diet is to look at the big picture. Once upon a time, not so long ago, I had a pretty terrible diet. I was drinking litres of pop every week and chowing down on fast food regularly. When I turned my diet around, I used to get really upset with myself whenever I ate something that was sugary or ate at McDonald’s with my kids. Then I took a step back and realized what a difference there was in my diet in only a few short months. I’ve added many more healthy foods to my diet and we don’t have a constant supply of chips, cookies and other treats stashed in our house. I know my diet isn’t perfect, but I know it’s a lot better than it used to be and it’s going to continue to improve.

So, enjoy Pi Day however you see fit. Remember – it’s actually just another day. And you should make the most of it!

Better Days Ahead

Tags

Mental Health, running

Ignoring the forecasts calling for more storms and a continuation of the longest winter I can remember, I choose to be optimistic and believe that spring is just around the corner. Technically, it is only three weeks away but as many of us know, Mother Nature doesn’t go by a calendar and the snow will leave and temperatures will rise when she decides, not us.

As someone who personally struggles with winter at the best of times, I have to say that as difficult as the weather has been I will be coming into this spring in a very positive state of mind. Spring usually finds me exhausted and in recovery mode. I’ve spent most recent winters fighting off various bugs, feeling cold one hundred percent of the time and generally wishing a slow and horrible death upon Jack Frost.

When things go bad, people have a tendency to relive them over and over. It’s very easy to stay in that negative space and I’ve never been able to figure out if it’s human nature or just how society has groomed us.  When things go right it’s even more important to hold on to those positive feelings. My experience is that we see negatives as things we “deserve” and chalk up good things to “chance” when more often than not it’s the opposite – bad things happen by chance and good things are earned.

With all of that being said, what has worked for me this winter?

1) Focusing on family.

I use a broad definition of family, meaning I don’t define it as a genetic link. Family members are the people who love you unconditionally, don’t ever judge you and stay with you through thick and thin regardless of what is happening in their own lives. This includes pets, stuffed toys or people you have never met face to face. I truly appreciate every member of my family and try my best to communicate that to all of them as often as I can.

2) Getting my butt outside.

Fresh air and daylight (note I didn’t say sunshine – stupid clouds…) are a big key to me feeling decent. This holds especially true for training and I’m happy with the effort I’ve put in to my running this winter. There is a certain crazy pride in running in conditions that are described as a “polar vortex” or the “snowpocalypse”.  Pushing yourself to get outside in less than great conditions makes it even easier to appreciate the warmer, longer days to come.

3) Removing negativity.

This is probably the biggest work in progress in my life. The most negative thing I deal with on a regular basis is my own self-doubt. I have a difficult time accepting compliments, I am quick to point out my own perceived faults and I dwell far too long on my mistakes. Knowing this has helped me to at least start removing external negatives in my life. Filtering out those things or people that ONLY ever bring you to a negative space is very freeing.

4) Building on previous experiences.

I’ve been through enough winters and have enough life experience at this point that drawing upon what I’ve already accomplished (or survived) is a valuable resource. That doesn’t mean I’ve seen and been through it all, but it does mean that I know things get better.

5) Setting goals.

A proven way to look forward to the future is to remind yourself what is waiting there for you. Bad luck happens and obstacles can get in your way and sometimes we may even need to amend our goals, but we still need them. Setting small, realistic goals and developing a pattern of success helps us to make our goals larger and set in longer time frames.

If you have other things that have helped you get over the hump this winter or if you have a comment or question, please post them here. I always enjoy the feedback and love hearing and learning from all of you!