Good Morning! (or day for some - wherever you may be). Take a moment now to think about what is most important to you. What really, is most important.... this is where any goal you set needs to come from. Your heart.
I do try for the sake of sanity to keep life simple. I regularly remind myself of the three big goals in my life (if your name isn't in this list it's only because this is the top three... there are hundreds more beneath...):
1. raise healthy happy children
2. be healthy and physically able to carry myself and others throughout this life
3. be happy. be accepting, kind and maintain mental health to be happy in this life, throughout this lifetime. to share that positivity with others to help them get through too.
So my own dreams and accomplishments will be chosen with a key focus on ensuring these principals are achieved. Yours maybe different... it is completely okay and important for you to know yourself and what is most important to you.
To have success in your goals/dreams, you need to have a WHY. Why are you doing what you are doing? If the WHY isn't STRONG enough... as struggles come along, and they most definitely do - they will knock you off your goal, flat on your butt and you will not want to move. You'll be so busy just fighting the new challenges that you'll postpone your dreams and goals as you won't see them as having the same importance as that immediate concern does. They are just a dream... you'll convince yourself...
The WHY is something you should be journaling. Why did you pick that goal and what does it mean to you. Knowing your reason to continue down a path is critical to keep going. There will be times that it will be very hard to continue, so if you do NOT have a strong, solid reason to continue... you won't.
Let's chat now about this marathon. Why a marathon then? How does finishing a marathon achieve my big three? Seems a bit dramatic yes? Well... hear me out and you'll see why for me... this is going to SAVE MY LIFE.
Mental Health benefits ( Most important to help me achieve principal number 3)
I do believe we each have struggles that we keep to ourselves. That sometimes our dearest friends have no idea how tough we find our lives, sometimes. Perhaps we don't even share it with our loved ones as we do not want them to suffer too. I've fought hard to stay strong and not bring anyone down with my past but I do suffer from depression. It will creep up on me when I'm at my weakest. It will pin me down and I won't want to do anything. Staying in bed is best. I'll make really good excuses not to see anyone. I won't want anyone to see my red eyes from my sadness. These past two years have been very hard on anyone who fights off this disease. BUT - know that we are not alone and we are not without help.
In an article by the Canadian Running Magazine, Kim Dawson writes “There is clinical evidence that running works more effectively than medicine or talk therapy in the first three weeks after a depression has taken hold. Aerobic exercise for 40 minutes a day is as effective as medicine.”
I have found time running, out on the road surrounded by trees and fresh air has been rejuvenating and leaves me feeling incredibly happy.
In an article in Runner's World, a study by scientists quizzed 8000 runners on aspects of their health and wellbeing. "The runners survey scored a 4.4 on the Oxford Happiness Scale, which is above the average score of 4 for the general population. 89% of runners said that running regularly made them happier, as well as having a positive impact on their mental health and body image."
Dr. David Linden, describes the potential reasons behind this feeling... "Exercise increases the levels of endocannabinoids in the bloodstream...Unlike endorphins, endocannabinoids can move easily through the cellular barrier separating the bloodstream from the brain, where these mood-improving neuromodulators promote short-term psychoactive effects such as reduced anxiety and feelings of calm."
Being happy is a choice that we can achieve through many decisions we make in our lives and getting out for a walk or run is such an easy, inexpensive, minimal risk or side effects, way to achieve this.
Physical Health benefits - will help me achieve the big important principal number 2
My body feels amazing when I'm running. I breathe better. My heart feels strong. I walk confidently. I'm physically strong when I need to do work around the yard or house. My back doesn't hurt. My legs feel great...I feel young again! Able to do anything.
The Physical Health benefits may be an obvious one... there are many articles online but a few of the key benefits I personally have enjoyed anytime I've been on a consistent long distance running regime are in line with this article by Christine Luff:
It strengthens your heart.
Improves your blood pressure.
Reduces your cholesterol.
Improves your immune system.
Helps you get deeper Sleep (see my last blog and Matt Walker's Ted Talk on why we need sleep)
Perseverance and Commitment - will help me achieve the big important principal number 1
This one is really the biggest WHY. I will finish the marathon to show my children, how no matter how hard things get, if we persevere if we don't give up... we gain a pride and feeling of accomplishment that carries us through ANY HARD TIMES. It carries us through the toughest times in life. I often will say... hey... this is like being at the 30KM mark... we're almost done! We just have to get through. Get to the Finish Line. This is my mantra and the marathon helps me focus on getting through ANY struggles in life.
Said perfectly in the Why Run a Marathon article by Angie Spencer, "Your mind is in the driver’s seat on your marathon journey and once you decide to see something through it’s amazing how much the human will can conquer. There are people who complete marathons in wheelchairs, those in their 80’s and 90’s, and those using prosthesis. Many runners are battling or have overcome cancer, accidents, heart attacks, obesity, depression, anxiety and many other challenges. In a marathon the average runner doesn’t run to merely beat others. Instead you run to achieve a personal victory. It’s a battle to become a better version of you...anyone who has crossed the finish line understands. It’s part of the mystique of the marathon. Everyone who crosses the finish line is a winner."
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Do you have a goal? Do you have a strong WHY? Then it's a given...you'll succeed. xoxo
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