Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog.
Now let's get started by talking about the value of flexibility in getting your workouts done.
Just what does it mean to be flexible you might ask? And why is flexibility such a valuable character trait to acquire and hone? Well first of all... consider that flexibility is the quality of bending easily without breaking, the ability to be easily modified, and the willingness to change or compromise. Now with that in mind, consider this... when a person is able to bend without breaking (able to adjust to the most unexpected, negative and difficult situations and people without throwing in the towel), is willing to modify the way they do day-to-day things to reach their ultimate goal and willing to change or compromise their attitude or actions as needed to ensure their ultimate success, they WILL reach the finish line. It may not always be as quickly as they planned but it WILL happen... unless they give up. Unless you give up! So determine first that giving up is not an option and resolve yourself to do whatever it takes to reach your goal.
Now to see what that might look like in real life, consider the words my dear friend Laura Murrieta, a busy mother of three, posted after completing the Taji 100 challenge last month, a 28-day test-of-will to log 100 miles in the month of February presented by TEAM RWB. She, along with many others (including me), was part of the Fort Leonard Wood chapter team and was bound and determined not to let her teammates down. That being said, check out Laura's story...
Well I did it! I started this challenge already defeated, so many reasons ran thru my head as to why I wouldn't or couldn't finish, but God showed His face so many times this month and made a way for me to accomplish the challenge set in front of me.
Not every mile was created the same, some miles were at 4 am, some slow, some fast, some late, some were up and down a staircase at a hotel because their workout room flooded, some were running up and down a basketball court, some were pushing a stroller and some only as fast as a 1 yr old could run because she didn't want to be in the stroller, some done as I was a "single" parent because daddy was out of town.
In the end, the miles all came together to finish the mission. When motivation isn't enough we must rely on determination. The miles I do this weekend will be the cherry on top.
I started this challenge already defeated? So many reasons why I wouldn't or couldn't finish? Talk about starting off bent! But guess what? Laura didn't allow herself to break. She was ready, willing, and able to adjust to the most unexpected, negative and difficult situations her crazy life could and would throw her way. Do you see how being flexible was a choice? And I guarantee you, like Laura knows, no athlete (that's you) has ever found success without making the choice to be flexible and to not break under difficult situations.
Not every mile was created the same? Do you just love that or what? Laura was so flexible... she knew that a mile was a mile no matter where it got done, when it got done, or how long it took to get it done! Laura modified her workouts to fit in where she was with what she had! See how being flexible worked to her advantage? And it can work to yours' too. Find ways to get things done knowing that each and every one of your miles adds up!! Keep your eyes on the big picture but remember that there are hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of different-sized and different-shaped pieces that must come together to complete your puzzle, aka your goal.
In the end, the miles all came together to finish the mission? YES! This is my favorite part! Because Laura was willing to change or compromise her attitude or actions as needed to ensure her ultimate success, she was indeed successful. She kept her mind focused on the big picture but looked to find ways each day to make sure the pieces would come together to finish the puzzle, aka the mission! See all the ways being flexible can benefit a person?
So there you have it friends. As I said in the beginning, the only way a person can truly fail is if they give up. So make the determination today that when anyone says "they" gave up, that "they" doesn’t include you. As that old saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try and try again. But if you want to increase your chances of succeeding the first time.... be flexible in your approach! Bend without breaking, modify your workouts as needed, and be willing to change or compromise your attitude and your actions to ensure that you reach the finish line. As a runner who has been blessed to cross many finish lines, I will tell you this... the training was never, ever, ever easy but it was always, always, always worth it. Keep pressing on!! You'll be so glad you did.
Happy Running!!!
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