Man oh man… these writing sessions are getting started later and later each day. No joke, I actually considered taking today off. It was a good day. I had a morning training call then got myself a nice little massage and then attended my first run clinic had some dinner with the hubs and finished the night with a movie.
A couple of things I discovered about myself today.
First off… I need to get more massages. This isn’t news to me, I knew my body was achy for weeks but I hadn’t done anything about it. Note to self, starting getting monthly massages! Your body will thank you!
Second thing I realized today was during the run clinic. If you know me, you know I dislike running. I wont say hate because I just think that’s just harsh for anything. I ran a half marathon at the beginning of the year because I truly did not want to do it. And I believe in life there are far worse things you have to do that you don’t want to. I am fortunate enough to not have to do many things I don’t like doing… I guess it’s the benefit of having your own business. But I knew I needed to challenge myself over a period of time and so I figured why not run a half marathon. It was something I said I would NEVER do. Jokes on me I guess. I survived it but dreaded every pound on the asphalt, mainly because my knees and hips feel like an old woman who needs hip/knee replacements. I remember my sister asking me right after I crossed the finished line if I would do it again and I responded so quickly I don’t think she even completed asking the question… No. I may or may not have added an expletive in there but it was simple. I won’t do it again. I never experienced the runner’s high or got into a groove. I felt like my knee was going to break in half and I would have to be taken off the course by an ambulance or something. Seriously, I remember thinking about when I was going to have to stop and ask for help. It was not the ideal situation especially after training for 3 long months prior.
When I started training I remember telling friends, I just want to get through the training and that I could care less about the actual race. Thank goodness I had that mindset because the race was disappointing.
Anyway back to today. The clinic was great. Learned about the correct posture, technique and breathing. I’ll be honest I never thought there was so much detail in running. In classes, I just go as fast as I can until the knee starts to act up, and then I end up on the bike. I never really paid attention to the technique I ran with. So after practicing the different aspects of the run we took it to the treadmills. I was quite surprised that the running was easier. Say what? I actually didn’t die… and what’s even crazier is that since it was “easier” I actually enjoyed myself. Now I’m not naive in thinking I’m going to run a marathon again… nope not happening. I don’t even think the technique I learned today will make my knee and hip issues go away. But it makes me wonder if I knew “how” to run better, would I enjoy it more and possibly do it more often. It pains me to say this, but yes I think I would enjoy it more. Which brings up the question, what other areas in my life that I don’t “like” doing… could it be because I don’t know WHAT I’m doing?
The first thing that comes to mind is cooking… and guess what, if I’m being honest, I would have to say the answer is yes. Yes I would enjoy it and eventually do it more because its enjoyable. The other thing I don’t like doing, jumping rope. Yup child’s game that I don’t like, mainly because I’m horrible. And while we’re at it, writing. Another one of those things I didn’t like… Ugh. This self-discovery thing is no joke. It totally makes sense though doesn’t it? We like to do what we know how to do… so why not learn how to do things better?
My gut answer is because we are afraid that we wont be good at it. Well, duh we are newbies. Who likes being bad at anything?? Um, no one. So here’s my challenge to us all. Can we stop pretending we dislike everything we’re not good at? If we could practice whatever it is we don’t “like” for 30 days. What do you think will happen? I can tell you writing is becoming more enjoyable and easier. It used to take me 30-45 to write 600 words. These days I’m averaging more like 1000 int he same amount of time. Say what? And that’s after a long day, and not wanting to do it, and having written 36 days in a row. I mean c’mon I totally thought I’d be speechless by now or have had some kind of writer’s block.
That was my big takeaway of the day… but I do have to say, the movie I saw tonight, A Star Is Born. I honestly didn’t care to see it. My hubby chose it because he likes Bradley Cooper so we went, and I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed it. Yup, it some regards it is just like doing the things I didn’t like above, and found out that I did like it after all.
I guess the moral of the day is… sometimes do the things you don’t want to. Go with an open mind and you might just surprised the heck out of yourself. Better yet, do a challenge. Three days ago, I ordered a jump rope because my chiropractor suggested I do it to help my knees (I don’t understand why, but I’m trusting his judgement) I bought it with the notion that I would jump rope daily for 30 days even though I’m not a fan of it. I have no expectations as to how long I’ll do it everyday, but I got the one that has a cool bluetooth counter on it. I don’t know if it’s efficient or not, but we shall see. I don’t like it but I’m going to do it.
Side note: Is it me or is it kind of crazy that I bought that jump rope a few days ago and now I’m writing about my dislike of things. Just proves to me that I’m on to something here, and well I’m going to follow through.