Am I Going to be a Badass? Or Am I Going to be a Wimp?

There is a lot to be said for physical training. In order to achieve something like running a marathon—or in my case, running at ALL for that matter—the physical obviously ability is key factor. But it’s not everything. In my estimation, it’s probably half. I realize that I am not breaking new ground here. “Mind over matter” is an old adage, some might say it’s a cliché! Nevertheless, at week seven of running, I’m coming to the swift realization as I see the mileage go up that this is soon going to become as much of a mental game as it is a physical one (unless my body gives out completely, because I swear I feel 10 years older than I did seven weeks ago).

Let me explain a little further. It’s the days when I get home from work at 8:30pm, haven’t eaten dinner, and I still have a 40 minute run to finish—that’s the real training. It’s the days when it’s raining outside and I have no clean socks that are the real training. It’s getting out there and convincing myself that I actually want to go on a run. No program can train you to be tough mentally. Programs can put you in the right running shoes, tell you to only wear dry-fit clothing, and show you the most effective stretches. But they can’t be the voice in your head at like 22 of the race that says don’t quit!

So this is the question I have to ask myself everyday that I have to run: Are you going to be a strong, kick ass woman today? Or are you going to be a wimp today?

FYI – Phase Four is ALL about being a badass, hard-working, money-making, joke-cracking, difference-making, life-celebrating, grown woman. So let’s get on with it, shall we?