WORKOUT – gym time: Upright bike 60 mins/Elliptical 30 mins
Reading Tina’s Health post about fitness inspirations and “health heroes” got me all fired up Tony Robbins-style.
Most of the time all that goes on here on SR is me making fun of myself (the possibilities are endless!), but I want to get serious on you for a second:
If I could give one piece of (unqualified) advice, it’d be to GOAL BIG. Make big time, audacious, bold goals. Too many times we as women make fail-safe goals… I’ll have an “A” goal but then a lesser goal in case I don’t make my first one and then not really a goal but I’ll call it that because I can’t dream that big…. No, Goal big. Put it out there. Believe in yourself.
This is part of an email I wrote:
“I don’t want to get all Jessica Alba and every other celebrity on you: "I was such an ugly duckling in school! Nobody liked me, I was a loser!"
But I had a high school teacher who once ran a marathon and I thought it was akin to Mother Theresa – so amazing. But I wouldn’t even let myself DREAM of ever running one. It wasn’t even in my scope of dreams, let alone reality.
And here I am 10 years later (gawh, I’m old) , running marathons monthly (or twice monthly) and running faster than I could ever run from the cops!
I hope through all the jokes and making fun of myself that you, my readers, see that that sense of accomplishment and self confidence comes in part from dreaming big and going after it…. and reading a lot of PEOPLE magazine.”
Sometimes I’m guilty of negating my accomplishments or not believing in myself enough, but remember, the personal fan club starts with you – the president.
Run on, friends.
***The winner of the $100 Mission Skincare giftcard is #276 Courtney @ I CAN DO THIS. Courtney, please email me at skinnyrunnerblog@gmail.com.
***Interested in running a FREE race? Here’s the event. Email Diana at 1mileatatimeblog@gmail.com.
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{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
I.LOVE.THIS.POST!
Go big or go home! People magazine = fast race times! Got it!
SR, this post is truly inspirational!! I hope one day my body is able to run marathons!! I am now wishing I would have done it in my early 20′s when I was able! It’s true, don’t delay on going after your dreams, because you just never know when you might not have the ability anymore. Love this post! Keep on, girl!
You have no idea how much I needed this post right now. I just registered for my first marathon! It’s the Memorial in OKC on May 1st. I am so nervous. I ran my first half in November, and will do the Rock N Roll Half in Dallas next month. But a MARATHON? Holy crap! I never thought I would ever consider this!
Thanks for the great post!
awesome! YOU CAN DO IT. i seriously believe ANYONE can run/walk/finish a marathon.
This is a great post SR! Thanks for the inspiration!!
I hardly ever watch TV but last night caught 5 minutes of the Biggest Loser. Jillian is screaming at them as they run at a 12mph pace on the treadmill, if only for a short time. They’d said they couldn’t do more than 8mph. Her point–”what else are you doing half a&&ed in your life?” Point taken!
i too saw this…and today when i put that damn treadmill on 8.5mph for 4 min of tabata i thought if that girl can run for 20 sec at 12mph, then dammit i can run it at 8.5
working my way up!
I saw this tooo! I think I will be doing interval training on the TM and I will be trying to go faster like they did last night!
PS
Wasn’t it amazing what all the ‘parents’ did for their ‘kids’ I loved it. THAT is love.
Love this post! Very inspirational as well as your daily post about running!
This is a great thought. I do agree with you, but with qualifications. I think it is great to have huge, amazing goals. And I do believe that you can achieve a lot going after the big dreams.
I just think that sometimes it is more realistic to set mini-goals in order to get you closer to big goal. Without the intermediate goals, many people feel like they aren’t getting there or it is too hard or they are failing, and then give up entirely. I’m a dietitian and one thing I focus on is small, achievable goals. People really like to feel successful and it is very motivating. I wouldn’t recommend someone who is 300lbs overweight to cut all the foods they love and start training for a marathon. I would recommend they try to focus on, say, fewer snacks and walking around the block a few times. Achieving a mini-goal can be huge and keep people on the track b/c they are seeing wins and differences.
So I agree, I just think intermediate goals have a place. I would recommend going ahead and dreaming big and setting that huge goal, and then to brainstorm as to how you are going to get there and setting those small goals, too.
I’ve got to agree with Jess. I loved this post. Right now training for my first half and full marathons it’s really easy to get freaked out by the fact that even if you told me last year (when I ran regularly) that I was going to spend this year training for marathons, I’d have thought you were crazy. But here I am, setting a nutso goal for myself and then, on top of it, trying to raise tons of money for charity. I could have just kept going as I was, but why not challenge myself. i’m like 99% sure I can do it
Thanks for the boost!
P.S. I love your new header! It’s darling!!
Awesome post!
I’ve told myself I “couldn’t” so many times – and then done it! Imagine what I could do if I set a big goal for myself, already thinking I could do it!
there was an article in the NY Times about a year ago about how older women (in the late 30s) are more likley to win local road races than younger women. One of the explanations they gave is that as women age they are less afraid of setting big goals for themselves, because they aren’t as scared of failure. I think it’s a great message AND i’m really happy to hear you see yourself as accomplished, otherwise I would be extremely worried about you.
Hi there. I am visiting your blog for the first time after reading about it on Tina’s article and I have to say that I absolutely love you. I mean I don’t know you, but I read a few posts and your about me section, I love the blog, your style and can-do attitude. I’m glad to have discovered your little spot on the web. Keep up the fabulous work!
And I love your advice of Goal Big, so relevant for me to hear today.
This is SO true, especially about how we make fail safe goals.
I try to goal big in running. I want to be able to do it in other parts of my life, too!
I think I love you!! Ha!! Seriously, I’ve been thinking of signing up for a 1/2 marathon…it would be my longest race ever, but doubted I can do it….screw it…I’m signing up TODAY! This post was awesome! Thank you!
I read her post this morning & was so glad she mentioned you as her top 5. You are SO inspiring & so real at the same time! I always love reading
THANK YOU! im blushing under all this bronzer.
Awesome post! I’m big into goals these days – some are exciting, some a really intimidating, but I think it’s great to be bold. It’s the only way to really challenge ourselves and test the limits.
I so needed to read this post today. I just registered for a half marathon next month and the MCM in DC in October. Those races won’t be my first time but, still made me very nervous and felt almost sick to my stomach after registering.
Hmmm. Not sure I agree.
I had a goal time for my first real marathon and one of my regrets in life was crying so much after I finished (and missed my goal by a lot, conditions were horridly hot and I vomited multiple times during the race) instead of being proud of myself for meeting my lesser goal, which was to finish. I was so disappointed in myself for failing. Not good.
Particularly with running when there are so many outside factors that can affect performance, I think it’s good to have alternate goals (and/or mini-goals, as suggested above). My goal at Boston is a 13 minute PR. But if it’s 85 degrees, I’ll be happy with any PR. And if conditions are worse in some other way, maybe I’ll be happy to finish. I have an A goal, but I also have B, and maybe C. Works better for me based on how hard I can be on myself when I miss an ambitious goal, whether it was too ambitious or not.
I completely and totally agree. Thanks for this post. And now I’m going to share two of my favorite quotes
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Eliot
Magic happens when you set a goal that seems impossible. First, you get insanely excited because it’s something you’ve never dared to want before out of fear of failing. Then you recognize that yes, it is impossible—right now. There’s a tremendous gap between where you are and where you want to be, and to do it, your whole life will have to change – this is where real, lasting motivation comes from.
Set an achievable goal, and not much changes. Since it’s something you know you can achieve, there’s no need to take any massive action, to crash through your perceived limits, or to transform yourself into the incredible person you’d have to be in order to achieve that goal.
So motivating! I sometimes sell myself short, but what’s the point in doing that? Today, I was lacking energy & motivation cause of exam stress, and I thought I wouldn’t have a good run. Four miles later, I had the best and fastest one I’ve had in a while. Plus, a major burst in energy & optimism.
Ah this is a great post!!
P.s. Ordered a bic band (the one’s you posted bout) today for my mane of hair. And my sister ordered 3.
I am the queen of doubting myself but always seem to prove myself wrong. It’s so important to give yourself the chance to “goal big” so you can have that moment at the finish line or in life.
And, if you have a fan club, can I be a member?
I did Go big or go home…but the point is the same and I LOVE it! Dream/Goal BIG. Then plan small steps to achieve the big dream.
Great post!! I think it’s so easy to doubt ourselves but you’re right. Goal big!!!
I love this post! Goal Big is a great motto.
love love love the way you think and write, I am setting myself a HUGE GOAL beginning March 1st, please wish me luck. Oh yeah I wish Matti good luck in his marathon tooooo
I almost just signed up for a marathon right now because of this post, however decided to run my half first and then pull the trigger. Wimpy? Maybe
I think I just have a short attention span, because straight running is way harder for me than olympic distance triathlons. But I would love to run one someday.
This post came at a perfect time for me! I just registered for the Marine Corps Marathon and I am in the process of making my goals for this.
You are the perfect mix of silly and serious. Thank you for being real and sharing your life with so many people (and that sounds weird)
annnnd you should definitely register for MCM and travel to DC
Great post!!! There’s so much that we don’t do just because we’re afraid to dream that we can!
Well said daughter! I always told you that you could accomplish anything in life!! BELIEVE.
I love this post! It’s so true; I have definitely been guilty of not believing in myself. I found the healthy living blog community only a few months ago and I’m already seeing big changes in myself. Reading blogs like yours are so motivating. If all those other lovely ladies can do it, then I can too! Thanks for posting this!
Wow, sweet, I won!
Thanks for the giveaway, SR.
And I have a LARABAR giveaway going on over at my blog right now, so check it out.
http://superfoodsuperfood.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/larabar-giveaway/
I couldnt agree more and great timing. I was thinking during my run today how there is so much I WANT to do (..i have my BIG goal) but I find myself being too much in my “comfort zone” and afraid to jump into making it happen. Great post!
I totally do this. Bleh! I hate that I TOTALLY do this! Thanks for calling it to my attention girlfriend!
What a GREAT post! Thank you!! You are changin’ my life . . .
I read your blog all the time. I love this post. Thank you for sharing with such honesty. I appreciate it.
i love this post. congrats on all your accomplishments. You definitely are an inspiration to many. Thanks for the reminder to continue to GOAL BIG!!!
Amen!!
This has always been a favorite quote of mine by Michelangelo:
“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”
Aim High!
GO Big Or Go Home is one of my favorite sayings ever! It just says it all.
Great post! No more dancing around that I want to do a 1/2 marathon this year.
I am gonna DO at least one!
Goals are so important! Running helps me to keep my goals solid, especially to focus on them! Believing in yourself is HUGE though..without believing in yourself, you won’t have motivation to push yourself!
Woop-woop! Go SR! As the saying goes “If you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right” Very true.
I needed this “Goal Big” reminder today
I feel like a tragedy these days and just need to get it together, post my goals and go for it.
Today I registered for my first marathon (marine corps marathon in DC). Within minutes after I hit submit, I began to regret it immediately. I really needed to read this today and remind myself of why I wanted to sign up in the first place.
THANK YOU for this post. You rock, SR.
Great post. That is something I try to instill in my students and soccer players, but it’s also one I need to keep reminding myself of!
This is so true! Thanks for the reminder!
LOVE THIS!! And so true..everyone should DREAM BIG!! We should not doubt ourselves. By second guessing ourselves or doubting ourselves we ultimately are just setting ourselves up for failure or letting us believe we are not worth – when in fact WE ARE WORTH IT! WE ARE WORTH OUR DREAMS!
I agree and am defintiely guilty of the back up goals and back up to the back up goals. Of course I am never satisfied if I don’t beat my original goal anyway – what am I even thinking trying to fool a smart cookie like myself?!
This is one of my favorite posts of yours.
hey I was just curious – i had a recent knee injury and it’s sidelined me from running on the mill or outside for that matter (I live in ND and we have a lot of snow
) but we just bought an elliptical because doc said that’s alright because it doesn’t bother my knee. but anyway, I was wondering when you get on the elliptical, do you just do whatever you feel or do you set the different programs??
i just do different programs on there, whatever i feel like.
I’ve been gone a few days and just catching up – also since i’m trying to get used to this elliptical, is your speed pretty much the speed you run at? because it seems like if I pump it up fast it’s like I’m flying and gets hard to control like I’m going to fly off the machine! Thanks!
i normally go a lot slower than my running pace. i put the resistance up to 13 or 14 and then do it.
Love it!
I just posted on my blog that I want to run my half marathon in under two hours. I felt so nervous putting it out there just incase I don’t make it. It is my goal though and I am going to work very hard to accomplish it! I love your blog!
I’m sure you’ve mentioned them in a post somewhere… but I’ve had no luck finding it. Where did you get those skirts?
I just signed up for my first triathlon. Oh my Gosh….puking, puking, puking…..
Great post! You should probably trademark that Goal Big slogan it is good
Hi SR! I am recently new to your blog. My sister told me about ya and I love your blog! Your posts about your workouts totally keep us motivated to workout! Cute post about whats in your bag. Cute bag too! I might do this today. I just scored an awesome B. Makowksy bag at Marshall’s and it is deserving of it’s own blog post. hahaha.
Nice to meet ya. Keep up your great and funny posts.
Congrats about being a “health hero”!!
Loved this post.. a great reminder and encouragement to GOAL BIG. It really is so important. You inspire me to make big goals for myself!!
I totally LOVED this post!!! It is honestly one of the best posts I’ve ever read. Thanks so much for sharing it ~ it’s EXACTLY what I needed to hear to get me to GOAL BIG ~ seriously! No more half @$$ing it…..
Thanks girlie!
Danica
SR, you may have already done this but I bet your former teacher would love to hear how his/her real life experiences with running turned into a passion for you. I know that if I was a teacher, I would love to hear that kind of news.