Redefining Disappointment

It is already April, robins have returned, the temperatures are getting warmer, and you are about to sign up for the Bellin Run.  These are all sure signs of spring.  So far we have 32 employee team members, last year at this time we had 43 already signed up.  Those that have already committed, Thank you!  For everyone else, please sign up today, the earlier you commit, the better experience you will have come race day. 

Redefining Disappointment

A couple weekends ago I had a long run to do for marathon training.  I wasn’t looking forward to it, I was getting sick of the cold weather and a Sunday afternoon watching college hoops sounded much more appealing.  I have slugged through 30 minute, 45 minute, or even hour long runs, but running for 2.5 hours when you have no desire too, plain and simple, just isn’t any fun.  But I mapped out a route (a new one to keep it interesting), laced up my shoes, and out the door I went.  It took a long time for my attitude to change, much longer than normal.  The run was much tougher for me than normal, my pace was slower than normal, and I had to take a few walk breaks.  This could have been the type of run that left me discouraged, disappointed and wondering why I committed do this again.

But I chose a different attitude.  Notice I said chose.  Without going all Dr. Phil on you, I am a firm believer that attitude is 99% choice.  We all know life doesn’t always go our way, but we can limit the stress that this creates by making a choice about how our attitudes reflect what just happened to us.  Stress and poor attitude can have a direct impact on our wellness, both mentally and physically.  It can be easy to get so caught up in the negative experiences that it limits our ability to enjoy the good ones or learn from what just happened.  Many of you are parents, so you know the value of taking advantage of those “teaching moments” with your children.  Do you apply that to yourself as well?  Ok, Josh, let’s get this back to running…

After I was done with that “disappointing” run, I chose to not let it defeat me.  I finished the distance, when my mind was screaming at me to stop.  I learned that I can turn my mind off, knowing my body can carry me for the distance.  I learned that one hard run does not define my training or fitness.  I also was reminded that the hard things in life are often worth doing.  “It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great.”  Whatever distance you will some day run or walk, it is your mental stamina that will get you to the finish.

HERE is a link to the newsletter from last week about our fundraising effort for myTEAM TRIUMPH.  Please contact me with any questions, and please consider a donation.  Your donation is used locally and will go a long way in helping someone achieve something they didn’t think possible.