A little friendly competition

On the first night of my Running Room Learn to Run clinic, I met my Sole Mate. We fell into pace during the first run and have stuck together ever since. We’re both running newbies. We're the same age. We get along, but don't know much about each other outside of running. She is a perfect training partner for me. We are so in sync that our RR instructor thought we knew each other before the clinic.

During our last day of Learn to Run, the instructor pulled us aside for a little chat about our first 5K race on Saturday. She told us to get our game faces on because during tomorrow's race Sole Mate and I are direct competition.

We hadn't thought of that. It never crossed our minds. When visualizing the finish line, I imagined crossing it with Sole Mate; one of those hand-holding, high-fiving joint victory moments. But one of us will have to finish before the other. There's no avoiding it.

This is my first race and I plan to finish in 30 minutes. I'm certainly not in it to win it, but I am competitive. It's one of my greatest strengths. My competitive nature motivates and drives me: to get the best grades; to do the best job; to do one more agonizing push up. I constantly try to one-up myself. My competitive nature is also a weakness. I am my own worst critic and expect perfection of myself. I also rarely take the time to acknowledge accomplishments because I'm already focused on the next goal (case in point – I’ve already signed up for Running Room’s 10K clinic).

The more I thought about it, the less comfortable I was considering Sole Mate “the competition.” Perhaps I can simply shut of my competitive nature for one race. This race is about celebrating; celebrating a new found friend and being stronger than I was before the accident. Instead of obsessing over beating other runners, I’m focusing on running a good race and attaining my time goal.

Regardless of who crosses the finish line first, I plan to give Sole Mate a big hug and marvel at how far we’ve come over the past 10 weeks. In the next race we may be each other’s competition, but tomorrow is just like every other time we hit the pavement.

SOTS wonders... what happens when your training partner becomes “the competition”? Is it possible to and should you try to turn off your competitive nature during a race?
Bella

2010 goal update

1. Try yoga.

UPDATE: Done. I started practicing yoga in January and haven’t looked back. I used to avoid yoga because I didn’t think I could quiet my mind. Plus, I’m not very flexible. Now I take an hour each week to focus on restoring and rejuvenating my body and mind.

2. Reach/maintain a healthy body weight.

UPDATE: Half way there. I’ve reached goal. Hooray! Now for the maintaining part…

3. Stop biting my hands.

UPDATE: So far no good. Any advice is welcome. This is proving to be a tough one for me.I’ve realized that I’m less likely to bite and pick my hands if my nails are polished so I’ll be giving myself more manicures in the future.

4. Go to spin class.

UPDATE: Not yet. I don’t have a gym membership right now and won’t until I’m employed. This will happen as soon as I’m back living the Goodlife.

5. Learn to run.

UPDATE: Heck yes! I run my first 5K on July 24. Eep, that’s next weekend.

6. Find a better life/work balance.

UPDATE: Well, I can’t really do this one yet since I don’t have a job. My doctors have approved my return to the workforce so I’m currently job hunting. I am looking at job opportunities very carefully to ensure the positions I apply to will allow for a healthy life/work balance.

2.5 out of 6. I better get a move on! Half the year is already gone.

SOTS wonders… how are you doing with your goals?
Bella

Run like a horse

I've decided to tackle something that's been bugging me for years. I want to be a runner.

Back in public school, I ran track and field. I have a box of red ribbons to show that I was a decent sprinter. My tiny stick legs were speedy and I loved being one of the fastest girls in class.

Then it all changed one fateful afternoon. I was running the 400 metre race at the local track and field meet. As I crossed the finish line, I heard one of the coolest boys in class say "she runs like a horse." In my pre-pubescent self-conscious mind that meant "she looks ugly when she runs." I'm ashamed to admit that I stopped running. I would only run during organized sports and even then I worried about how I looked.

Years passed and I spent a good deal of time on the elliptical and my bike. Once or twice I even ventured out to try running, but never made it past 5 minutes. Jealousy raged whenever I saw someone out for a jog. I wanted to do that.

A few months ago, I’d had enough wishing so I signed up for The Running Room's Learn to Run program. I'm not a runner yet, but I'm getting there. I have my first 5K race on July 24.

I’m horrified that one comment and my own insecurity kept me from running. Although at the time I thought the cool boy was insulting me, I think it was actually a compliment. I mean, have you watched a horse run? It’s damn impressive. They’re fast and graceful. I hope I still run like a horse.

SOTS wonders... what aren't you doing that you could be? What's holding you back?
Bella

Gettin' bendy

2010 goal number one complete!

Yesterday I tried yoga for the first time. My doctor recommended it as excellent post-concussion therapy so I booked a private lesson at my apartment. The majority of the lesson was mat work since my head can’t handle too many up and down movements. The instructor modified poses to take pressure off my head and carefully planned the session to encourage blood flow without a head-rush.

My first impression of yoga? AH-MAZING! I don’t think I’ve ever been so relaxed. For anyone intimidated by yoga (I know I was), a private lesson is a fab way to start. Since the session was tailor-made for me I could ask questions and learn proper positioning. Also, I noticed new things about my body: I carry tension in my hips and my shoulders are always tense.

Even now, my entire body feels relaxed. Yoga is definitely something I’ll work into my life. It gets me one step closer to balance, both physically and emotionally!

SOTS wonders…what’s your favourite type of yoga and why?
Bella

Get them in writing

Everything I’ve been reading lately says that if I write down my goals I am more likely to achieve them. I know, I know… most people post resolutions at the beginning of January. I dance to the beat of my own drum, so I’m posting them at the end of the month. Plus, I didn’t want to post some willy-nilly goals before I’d really thought them through. After much consideration, I’m prepared to commit. Without further ado, my 2010 goals:

1. Try yoga – I’ve never given it a shot, but my doctor’s is recommending it as part of my recovery.

2. Reach/maintain a healthy body weight – I can lose weight and gain weight, but never simply maintain weight.

3. Stop biting my hands – I don’t bite my nails, but I do bite/pick the skin around them until I bleed.

4. Go to spin class – I love to bike, but I don’t know if I love to bike with loud music and someone yelling at me to push it harder. We shall see.

5. Learn to run – I see a Running Room class in my future.

6. Find a better life/work balance – this one should happen naturally if I successfully accomplish the other goals.

SOTS wonders…what are your tips to successfully accomplish goals?
Bella