01/16/2022
I admit, just because I know movement and exercise is important, it doesn’t mean I don’t struggle to do the “right” thing. Like getting up in the morning to workout. “I’m too tired!” or “I’ll get to it later” are my common excuses.
Last week, I finally broke my “sleeping in” streak. Hopefully this story encourages you to get after it this 2022!
It was last Saturday at 4am when I crawled out of bed. Picked up a friend, and was at the El Capitan Trail by 5am. This hike is a brutal 11.5 miles, with steep inclines and harsh declines sprinkled throughout.
Now while the hike had been planned for awhile, I’d been procrastinating on training. It was easy to put training on the back burner...especially with the holidays, school, and work.
In a blink of an eye, I found myself a day away from the most difficult hike I’d ever attempted (Disclosure: I don’t hike regularly nor often). I was sort of ready; had some trail shoes (thank you, ), a water pouch , and a whole lot of nervous energy. My husband came up to me that evening and said, “Mom, you really don’t have to go. Nobody would blame you if you didn’t. If you think you’re going to get injured, don’t go”.
I was on the fence myself. My husband’s concerns were well founded, I had slightly tweaked my back and obviously hadn’t done the proper amount of training. But to be honest my biggest barrier was mental, and deep inside I knew it.
So I did it! Yes, it was really hard. Yes I could have/should have/ will train MORE next time. Yes, I was sore the next few days (was surprised I didn’t have more blisters, must have been my new toe shocks ). But best of all...the feeling of accomplishment.
Our mind can be our biggest obstacle, more than physical ailments. If this is you, I encourage you to go beyond and try something out of your comfort zone. Be brave.
Of course be smart and listen to your body. But, also know, you can always do more than you think you can. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. weekend!
