Mind over body and Run for Sherry

I have always been envious of people whose minds aid them on their journey to reach their goals. They set their mind on achieving their dream and they seem to just go for it without doubting they will ever get there. Their minds know that no matter what obstacles are on the way, they will overcome them. Their minds know that stumbles are only opportunities to learn, grow, and get stronger.
Just watch this lady. I want to be like her when I finally grow up.





And here is me:
I've been always saying that my mind has a mind of its own. Somewhere deep inside it, hidden from me, live beliefs that I can accomplish amazing things. These beliefs are why I even consider challenging myself. The majority of my mind though is filled with lack of trust that good things will come my way and in my abilities regardless of my previous successes.
Do you really want to know how pathetic it can get? Say I had a fabulous 26.2 mi run. I finished it quite happy, not that exhausted, and without any major aches and pains. Yes, I am talking about my marathon. A few days later, feeling actually quite recovered, I was planning a 3 (yes, three) mile jog (yes, I said jog, not run), and my mind started questioning if... I would be able to run that far. Now how is that for silly? So I had to dig in very deep to find my little sparks of inspiration, blow on them gently to start the fire that would propel me for the three miles I wanted to run. 

So how was it that I was able to run the marathon? Sometimes friends provide such sparkles of inspiration with their encouragement and support. A few kind words of advice and not only did I run the darn thing, I totally enjoyed it.


It happened again when JoLynn inspired me to do a Cinderella Challenge bike ride. My first thought was to do it. Of course, I wanted to do it! Then the true battle begun. My mind started raising doubts and questions about my ability to even train for such a challenge, and soon walls begun to grow and I thought of giving up.

You should have heard my mind when I saw the climb...

I am very grateful to JoLynn for the encouragement, and help, without which I would never even attempt to train, much less to ride these hills ------------>

But I did and I survived to tell the tale, but since JoLynn tells stories better much better than I could, read her post. I am going to miss next week training so two days later, this time by myself, I did a 55miler. It was not a very hilly ride because my brain told me my legs would hate me if I hit the hills so soon after our last ride. What my mind did not tell me was that my legs and my a$$ would hate me anyway. 

My body seems to be able to endure a lot. It performed superbly well on my three week backpacking trip in the Sierras last summer. It ran a marathon. It biked for hours and did not die on the hills. It is my mind that keeps telling me that I cannot, that I have to stop, that maybe it would be better not even to try. One of these days I'll learn not to listen to what it says, until then  all I need is a little help from my friends to shut my mind up.  


What I love about our blog community is how supportive it is. All your comments matter a lot. I know I am not the only one out there doubting my abilities. Some of you are battling food addictions, some have what might seem now, impossible fitness goals whether it is to be able to walk around the block, run 3 miles, or do an ironman. I strongly believe that if we stick together sharing our stories and encouraging each other, we will reach and exceed these goals, that we can reshape our minds to believe in what seems to be impossible.
I think I am beginning to...


Thank you, friends.


And how is your mind treating you?

ONE MORE THING. I JUST LEARNED ABOUT THIS VIRTUAL RUN/BIKE/WALK FOR SHERRY

PLEASE READ AND JOIN US. 

LETS MAKE A STATEMENT 

WE WON'T LET ANYONE MAKE US AFRAID TO PURSUE WHAT WE LOVE!