Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!
Now let's get started by talking about what day it is today... Valentine's Day! And while this holiday has a dark history, it has evolved into a day where we celebrate romance and love by doing or buying nice things for our significant others. So by all means celebrate today by going for a long run or walk with the person you love but also use this day to practice some self love or self care as well.
What exactly is self care you might ask? Well, Let’s clear up one common misconception from the get-go: Self-care is not synonymous with self-indulgence or being selfish. Self-care means taking care of yourself so that you can be healthy, you can be well, you can do your job, you can continue to run well, you can help and care for others, and you can do all the things you need to and want to accomplish in a day. And it's very important because as runners, who are known for their passion and drive as well as their all-in attitudes, we can get burnt out or injured if we don't take the time to be kind to our bodies. Which brings me to the point... use today to do at least one thing that your body will thank you for. If you can't think of anything, check out my five suggestions below:
1. Take a rest day. If this is something you haven't done in quite a while, Valentine's Day is a great day to show yourself some love. Taking a day off to let your mind and body completely relax will reap dividends later. It will also allow you to spend more time with that significant other that would rather celebrate this day with food and flowers than with miles. After all, not everyone is lucky enough to be married to a fellow runner like I am. So you purposely taking a day off from your beloved sport for them screams, "I love you more than running!" This will benefit both you and your beloved.
2. Get yourself a massage. The benefits are numerous. You can even schedule a couples massage if you have a special someone in your life. Whether they’re a runner or not, you’ll both feel the love from time spent getting your muscles manipulated.
3. Buy yourself or your husband, wife, girlfriend, or boyfriend something nice. For a list of ideas, check out what Runner's World claims are the "14 Best Valentine Day Gifts for the Runner in your Life." And don’t forget… a paid entry into the Bass Pro Marathon/half or the Dogwood Canyon trail run makes for an awesome gift! And I mean awesome!
4. Nothing says family love by making Valentine's Day a family affair. If you're blessed to have little ones, go for a run or walk with them today. Talk about all the things you have to be thankful for as you remind them that movement of any kind is a gift. This will be a mental boost for everyone and will help pass on the love of running to the next generation.
5. Go somewhere quiet and watch the sunset. Whether you do this alone or go with that special someone in your life, there are lots of benefits in taking the time to be still and enjoy the beauty of watching the world slowly shut it's eyes. As a lover of both sunrises and sunsets, I will tell you that they're good for the mind, body, and spirit. Viewing the enormity of creation helps us to put life's problems into greater perspective and it creates a bond with those who share the experience with you. Bring a blanket and a beverage to make it an even more special experience. You can watch it from the car as well if you're not a lover of the cold. On that note though, did you know that the fall and winter seasons have the best sunsets? That's what science says and I believe it.
So there you have it friends. Today is a great day to celebrate love and romance runner style. But no matter how you choose to celebrate Valentine's Day or who you celebrate it with, I hope you'll take the time to do something that's good for own your mind, body, and soul. You're worth it!
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