Hello and Happy day to you!
It’s no secret…
I have been completely MIA for the last few weeks.
Technically, it has been 18 days since my last blog post.
Whoops.
Where the heck have I been?
To be honest, I have been hiding under a rock.
As many of you know, I have been struggling a lot lately.
(I blogged about it here and here, if you want to catch up)
Apparently, I have been riding the struggle bus for the last month.
Time flies on that darn bus!
Anyway, I decided during the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon this past weekend…
(stay tuned for that race recap, it’s a doozie)
that I needed to start writing again.
I need to crawl out of my hole, hop off the struggle bus, and get it together.
I missed you guys!
I’m just a girl, standing in front of a blog…
Just kidding, we aren’t going there.
I am done with my pitty party, for reals this time.
Exactly.
So let’s switch to a new topic!
Again, another idea I had during my half marathon this past weekend.
🙂
What motivates you to run?
I totally enjoyed writing the SMART goals blog post a few months ago, where I featured a number of YOUR goals.
So, let’s do something like that again.
Why do you run?
Why do you push yourself to be better every day?
What led you to start running?
Whats your running story?
What motivates you to keep going?
Who knows, YOUR story could be the one that helps someone get moving, get out of a funk, or push through when they want to give up.
Tell me everything!
Comment below, tweet to me on Twitter, post a photo on Instagram with your story in the comments (don’t forget to tag me in it!) or email me (ratherberunnin@hotmail.com).
Rather Be Runnin' 
Hey Hey Ashley,
Hope you are well despite the struggles with motivation.
I believe that although maintenance of motivation is important, also important is to recognize the why behind becoming de-motivated.
Anyway, I stay motivated by focusing on my goals, and no matter how lofty, or pie in sky, they maybe I could accomplish them. But I need to work hard at them to make them happen, which will mean sacrifice.
I also stay motivated by reflection on how far I have come, and looking back on what my goals were even just a year ago.
I also stay motivated by the small but significant subtle elements that take your breath away throughout training. Crossing the finish line; powering and overcoming an extreme low during a race; the smile and encouragement of a volunteer; high five from the RD at the finish line; or simply meeting some new amazing individuals at a race, or on the trails, and sharing your wins and losses together.
Above all it is the community. Being a runner is kind of like the right of passage to belong to an incredible community of individuals who inspire us to be our best, help us up when we have fallen, gets us back on track when we become lost from our goals and training, and create a sense of care for you possibly not offered by those in your circle of friends and family from before you became a runner. All in all, the community, whether online, in person, on the trails, at home, work, school, or at a race is all around, and if you are willing to embrace it, you will find everything you need, and everyone who needs you, as you are apart of something that only survives if everyone participates. Thus, it is in this realization of responsibility that I find motivation, in addition to the knowledge that I cannot wait to share my journey, and hear about others, and assist them, in the community, that I continue to run.
I know that if I look after the community, they will look after me, and so the cycle continues. Thus, I am motivated to run in the interest of something bigger than just myself, I run for the health of the community!
Have a wonderful day!😃👍☺
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Thank you so much for sharing your story Adam!
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When I was in high school, I joined the track team TWICE, both in my freshman and sophomore year. Both times, my parents practically forced me to drop it. The doctors were contemplating a diagnosis in chronic fatigue, and they were worried about me passing out or just not keeping up with the other girls. I remember being so heartbroken; I’ve always wanted to run. Now that I’m 25 and not afflicted with any chronic condition, I’ve set my sights on completing my first marathon. I’m currently wrapping up Week 3 of the C25K program. I just really want to run. I don’t like being told that I can’t or shouldn’t. Struggle shouldn’t be feared.
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I started running because some idiot at work said we should run a half marathon together and I was too stupid to say no.
Turns out not only am I foolish but I am weak as well and am now a running junkie, can’t go more than a few days without a sweet mileage fix.
Let this be a lesson to all couch potatoes everywhere it’s a hard habit to kick.
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Hahahaha! I love that!!!! That’s a good story!
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My “why” right now is my next vacation…39 days! My friend and my fiancé and I are challenging each other (holding each other accountable) so it’s friends and family as well and will be the wedding next so o have plenty of drive right now!
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Keep my sanity! Ha!! Well it’s not too far from the truth..when I started my own blog about doing my first 5k, I wrote one called Remember The Why? I was having one of those moments and I had to ask myself why was I doing this thing. The answer was because I wanted to go the distance and second I had never set a goal is didn’t meet. Now, what motivates to continue is running has become like my meditation and it’s not for anyone else but me. It has nothing to do with taking care of my grandmother, (she’s a sweet ole girl), nothing to with work or school, or driving lessons for my friend’s kid, or all the other stuff, it’s just ME. It’s the one thing I do for myself.
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Absolutely! Isn’t that the best part? 🙂 It’s just for you!
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Glad you’re back! I’ve been thinking about that – I don’t have a crazy awesome “why” like some people do… I think I just run to prove to myself that I can. Because I love it. I get to jam out and be outdoors. It feels good.
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YES JENNA YES!!!
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Good to have you back 🙂
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Thanks JANE! 🙂
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