Of Motivation, Mayhem, and Chaos

We've all seen the Allstate Mayhem guy.  I don't know how it is for you, but it seems like Mayhem and Chaos like to follow our family around.  Our family blog is called Utter Chaos for a reason, just  like this blog is about life BEYOND the chaos.  Mayhem and chaos, in the form of a huge work backlog, conflicting schedules, meetings, and/or kids sporting events are just a part of the fun wheel of life.  Finding MOTIVATION to do what needs to be done, on the other hand, is often easier said than done.

I am a master procrastinator.  It comes from being stretched so thin--I often like to put things off as long as possible because there is always something that needs doing. 

When I'm doing distance training, I tend to put start procrastinating.  Its really hard to say "Go for a 6 mile run!" when you are as slow as I am . . . its not exactly a 30 minute affair.  But for some reason, finding the motivation this season is SO much easier than it has been in the past.   And strangely, it isn't the Ragnar relay looming 10 weeks away that gets me out and running these days.   Its this basic principle:

2012 has been an amazing year for racing for me . . . but I've also seen and heard some crazy stories.  One of my gym friends was hit by a car while running.  The lady I volunteer with at races was telling me about the pro volleyball player that she used to work with who broke her back.  My good friend (and Ragnar co-hort, yay!) TooTallFritz who completely ruptured something important in her foot while training for a Ragnar ultra team.  My amazing yoga friend Susan, who I often forget broke her back in a car accident.  The ladies on Team Tough Chik who are injured and unable to do what they love--those ladies encourage me daily just by saying how they love hearing what we are doing while they can't.

Life is short and you don't know what is around the next corner.   You never know how long you will be able to do what you can, so there is absolutely no excuse not to get out there.  Yes, you may be tired.  Yes, there are 100 other things that need your attention.  But part of the journey is challenging yourself.  Enjoy that journey. Embrace it. Because you never know when the chance is going to be gone.

What motivates you to get out the door?

More than miles

One of the things I am (sort of) dreading about really getting into distance training again for the Ragnar Relay is focusing on the mileage.  Because I don't want my entire week to be defined by how many miles I did.  My kids are little and while I love for them to be exposed to an active lifestyle, I don't want to cross that line where they feel like ALL that I do is run.  They will only be little for so long and I don't want to look back, regretting not spending more time with them. 

So I absolutely love it when a run turns into a fun fitness experience for the whole family.  As a part of our weekly routine, we usually take my older son to school and then my daughter and I do the 3 mile loop with her in the jogger.  We did this last week . . . our 3 mile loop took longer than it should have, but we bird watched, we chatted, she got out and raced me a few times.  Those were the best three miles of the week, even if they were the slowest.  Or day like today, when the 1 mile trip to school becomes a race to who see can bike the fastest (while I wheeze and groan as I try to keep up with the two of them on foot).   Because while I want to get stronger, be faster, and go longer, I also want my kids to love that I do it.  So that they will continue to love it too. 

So while I strive to improve myself every day, I also focus on more than just the miles.  Living a life with no regrets.  Helping others on their journey through encouragement and kind words.  Helping my kids grow up to be productive, responsible individuals that can change their own little corner of the world.

Make the things you do count.  Count your miles, but also count the ways you make positive changes--in your life and in the lives of others.  In your kids.  In your friends at the gym.  In the way you treat a perfect stranger.

Have a marvelous Monday!