The Comparison Trap

Most of the time I'm really great about paving my own path and not comparing myself with others. I also think staying busy really helps with that. It's funny though how comparison photos on social media pages are all the rage right now. Sometimes comparing ourselves with our past selves can make us feel better and sometimes they steal our joy. 

It's always funny how I find myself comparing each training cycle to a previous one, when in reality I should just be focusing on where I am right here, in this moment. 

Everyone has setbacks and obstacles that we face. Sometimes the obstacles are bigger than previous ones and sometimes they force us to question ourselves/ motives/ future goals etc. I'm still in the process of learning and accepting all setbacks and obstacles that I face in running/life/work etc. So far, any obstacle that I've overcome has made me even stronger. What about you? 

It's difficult to realize in the moment that everything is temporary and the hardships will eventually pass. I've found that keeping monthly goals and things to look forward to really help keep me from looking backwards. Dreams/ goals/ aspirations and having a vision for myself in the future has also helped keep me accountable. What helps you stay out of the comparison trap and excited for future endeavors? 

What's one thing you're doing today to better your tomorrow? --> Researching vision boards. Has anyone done one of these before?!? Any tips/suggestions? 

Feature Friday- Having COURAGE & Importance of Taking Time For YOURSELF

Happy FRIYAY friends! I hope you have a fun weekend planned- I sadly will be teaching skiing at the mountain, but only have a few more weeks left so I am powering through! When things get really busy (like they have been for me for weeks!), I always try to take a bit of time each week for myself and do something that is totally FOR ME. Whether it's cooking something delicious, painting my nails (or going out to get a pedicure), reading when I should be working on something/doing a chore, or relaxing by the tv with Alex and our furry animals. I really try to savor these moments and not think of anything else I have to be doing at that exact moment! If I didn't take the time for these 'zone out' activities, I honestly think I would burn-out super often (and that's definitely happened in the past). How do you take time just for yourself? 

I was also recently thinking about how important it is to be resilient and have courage when pursuing your goals/dreams. I've always prided myself in going after any dream that I have with 110% fearlessness and steadfast determination.

While I don't always succeed with my goals and sometimes change my mind (and sometimes having too much determination can be seen as something negative), I pride myself in being courageous when going after my dreams. While I'm still figuring out what my next 'career path' steps are, I'm taking the time that I haven't taken before to figure out my strengths/weaknesses and courage definitely comes up as one of my top attributes.  What do you think of having courage? How do you take the step from 'totally scary' to 'let's give this a try'? 

-->My thought is that if I don't try something then how will I ever know and that I always want to go through life with NO REGRETS. So, sometimes I have that extra cinnamon roll or take that extra trip that I don't really have enough time/ money/ resources for because you really never know what will happen in the next day/hour/second. Have the courage to pursuit whatever sets your soul on fire!

What sets your soul on fire? 

How do you take that first step to pursuing something that completely scares you?

What are your weekend plans?!

5 Ways to Mentally Crush That Last 10K of a Marathon

Happy Tuesday! 4 days until the weekend (not like I'm counting or anything ; )...)! I wanted to share with you some tips that I've learned through my past races that help me get through those last 6.2 miles of a marathon (when everything is hurting and 6 miles seems really REALLY far). Today I have 6 easy miles on the schedule and will also be fitting in some strength training as well. I hope your Monday was great one and that you're equally excited that we're getting closer to the weekend. 

Tip #1: Stay positive. It's amazing how remaining positive really helps your spirit and makes those last 6 miles seem like nothing. I also love to dedicate those later miles to people in my life or a cause that is the reason why I'm running or racing.

Tip #2: Keep getting those fluids and gels. I've had some races where I'm so tired and so over the race that I just don't care and through my past training with gels and fluids out the window. I've also had races where I've stayed positive and kept up with my hydration/fueling to the very last second of the race. Trust me, the latter is the way to go. It will give you a boost and make those last few miles seem DO-ABLE.

Tip #3: Have parts in the race that you're looking forward to from miles 20-26.2. When I knew that I may seem my mom or the half-marathoners were joining our marathon course over these miles, it really helped push me to 'just get to where the courses merge' or 'just try to find my people'- It makes these later miles exciting and something to look forward to when you're just absolutely exhausted.

Tip #4: Have something to look forward to AFTER the race. Celebrating with a post-race rollercoaster definitely is one of my FAVORITE ways to celebrate running 26.2 miles. After the Disney Marathon, you better believe I was on ALL the rides that afternoon (including the Aerosmith Rock'n Rollercoaster). 

Tip #5: Never give into the pain. Do whatever you have to do to keep your mind focused on that finish line and the feeling that you'll get as they put the medal around your neck. It's like no other feeling when you cross a finish line leaving it all on the table and never giving into the pain in those later miles is key to ending in a positive mindset. 

What keeps you going until the end of a marathon or hard race?

What race are you training for this Spring?!

Feature Friday-In The Running News & Perserverance

Happy FRIDAY! I'm currently back in Maine visiting family and enjoying the beautiful Fall Foliage (with some apple picking on the menu hopefully), but wanted to bring you a few of my favorite running-related headlines and also talk about how persevering/ accepting the pain has really helped me push through really tough work-outs (cough..cough..strength workouts...cough...cough..). 

Here's the top headlines that really caught my attention this week:

• Eliud Kipchoge won the Berlin Marathon last weekend with a time of 2:03:32, but didn't break any world records. He was part of the Nike breaking-2 project and came SO close to breaking that barrier, but fell short. This course is supposedly really flat (also added it to my bucketlist!), so it had been talked about being a possibility of creating a new world record (current one is 2:02:57). Honestly, regardless of whether it was a WR or not, this time is SO fast and hats off to all the runners who performed well! I'm certain that within the next 5 years, we'll definitely see at least a new WR (and possibly a breaking-2 barrier as well)...

• Fenway Park Marathon- 116.5 laps around Fenway! This race wasn't a Boston Qualifier (it was USTAF certified) and only had 55 participants, but talk about some serious history in the making on this course. I can't even imagine running around ANYTHING for 116.5 laps, but I feel like the amount of history and pressure put on by runners (and the fact that it's an open course) would push you to not walk and power through all the marathon pains. This was the first-time that a marathon was held on Fenway and hopefully it won't be the last! Hmmm...I may have to add this one to my bucketlist. 

• Best National Parks for Running- Ok, this one is an older article, but I loved revisiting it! I've been (and ran) at a bunch of these, but thinking maybe Hawaii or Northern Cascades should be next on my list to visit (or run/ race in)! 

Perseverance. I normally equate this word with going through difficult life choices or decisions, but starting to relate it more to those really tough runs or races where you really just want to quit on yourself and throw in the towel. I'm sure most of us have been there. Everything hurts, you're tired, and another mile or 2 seems so far. I definitely remember my last marathon and just totally giving in to the pain train and not even caring what time the clock said when I finally got to the finish line. The strength work-outs in my training plan definitely simulate that pain you feel at the end of tough race. I've been running through them and thinking that there was no way I could do this repeat again, but I pushed through and felt stronger afterwards. I love to repeat the saying to 'dig deep' when things get tough and remember that the pain is temporary. We should expect the pain to come and even embrace it, because living through tough situations/runs/ races is always temporary. 

What phrases do you repeat to yourself to get through tough times?

Favorite running headline from the week?

Can you imagine running around ANY field for 116 laps? 

Gaining Inspiration

I've been thinking about writing this post for a few days and always got to a certain point and then lost my words. I lost two very special close to me this weekend and it was pretty difficult processing both, while being so far away from family and friends. They were both wonderful souls and inspired me to run in very different capacities. My grandfather, who suffered from MS, inspired me to start running and continued to push me to run farther and faster. My friend, whom I grew up with through High School, was a phenomenally talented person and an amazing runner- my inspiration for whom I'd love to become one day.

While it is always difficult to say goodbye or not get a chance to, but I found myself feeling strengthened and empowered on my runs these past few days. I could feel their presence with me as I worked through my emotions out on the trails and know that they were accompanying me, pushing me to go faster and not give up. It was an amazing feeling.

While out on the trails on Saturday, I looked up and saw a bald eagle soaring high above. I just knew it was my grandfather following me on my run. He was so strong, resilient, powerful, stubborn- all the qualities that I believe a bald eagle emits. He continued to watch over me as I finished my run and rather than feeling sad or lonely, I felt humbled and complete. 

I will continue to carry the wonderful memories shared with these two beautiful souls and bring them on all the adventures that I embark on. When I feel myself slowing or slogging through a race or training run, I will power through because these individuals never gave up or gave in when things got tough.