Good morning NYC! Well, obviously you may be reading this from another city but today is the day after the NYC Marathon. I am feeling very proud to be a New Yorker and especially for those who ran! As I walked through Central Park these past two weeks I witnessed the daily building of the bleachers, fences, tents and signs for the NYC Marathon. Along with the beautiful yellows, oranges and reds of the leaves on the trees, the park has transformed before my eyes! And what is most remarkable to me was the energy and determination of those individuals who were working tirelessly in the park to set up for the big day! And more impressive is the energy and determination of the runners! I marvel at their drive and their joy!
Training is not an easy task. As I have learned, from myself and others, training leads to transformation. And it is usually not easy. Whether we are talking about physical or mental hurdles, the effort to pursue our goals comes with perseverance to stay the course. True confession: there are times when I would like to give up. I think it would be so much easier and I wouldn’t have to work as hard. I think that falling back into old habits is easier than making new ones. But, truthfully, I know that giving up or giving into discomfort is not an option that would better serve me. Taking moments to “re-group” is ok! By allowing myself to be flexible allows me to improve my relationship with myself, and with others as well.
Being able to step in the direction of self-care can be a new way to grow.
When I watched the runners their faces and bodies told many stories. Some made 26.2 miles look easy. Some looked like it was taking a toll on their bodies. But all were smiling with such joy as they passed those of us who were cheering for them. And that is the joy I saw as they did what they had to do. Congratulations to those who achieved their goal yesterday and to those who are still achieving goals!
If you are struggling with your own motivation and you think I can help, feel free to reach out to me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com