You guessed right!!!! Here comes round number two. I registered for my second half-marathon. This time I'm running in Los Angeles. You heard it right. LA!!!!!!! Who wants to join me in the LA Rock N' Roll Half-Marathon on October 24th?
I invited PangChee and Sam to join me on the run, but it looks like they won't be able to make it. My trainer Saul will be running with me and maybe even possibly my former trainer Paul Joseph. I'm super excited and have started training again. I'm working out more intensily at the gym and just picked up running again since the last half-marathon. I have new goals and have no doubt I will be able to beat my time of 2 hours and 34 minutes. I'm pushing for 2 hours, but will take 2:33.
I ran my first 3 mile this week. My legs are pretty stiff, but I'm confident with time I will get even stronger. I was breathing pretty hard by the end of the run, but that is expected. It feels good to be out running again.
I also started weight training this week. It might all be in my head, but my arms and legs look better. My workouts at the gym are killers, but I'm willing to take the pain. It'll only make me stonger and improve my game.
For all you runners, keep pushing hard! Happy running!!!!!
Much love,
Hua-
-- By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer
If you put yourself in a positive frame of mind, you can accomplish anything. If you can clearly see your goal, see that it’s within your grasp, there’s nothing stopping you. That’s why surrounding yourself with positive images and visual reminders can be just what the doctor ordered.You may already have an inner voice telling you that you can do it, that you can reach your goal. But sometimes, that inner voice could be distracted, a little discouraged or even intimidated. Sometimes, it lacks conviction. Sometimes, you need an external voice telling you the same thing, reinforcing your confidence and determination.
Think about what might happen without that positive reinforcement. Suppose you had a parrot sitting on your shoulder, cackling in your ear all day long that your efforts are useless, that you will never reach your goal. Or suppose that every day, you were faced with a taunting picture of you looking your god-awful, embarrassing worst. Sounds pretty discouraging, doesn’t it?
Surrounding yourself with negativity will drain the energy, life and hope right out of you like a leech. Seems pretty obvious, but too often, we allow these negative messages to seep through.
Thankfully, the opposite is just as true. One of the quickest ways to boost your spirits and keep motivation high is to keep a positive picture of your goal close by. A picture or other visual of your ultimate goal is a huge motivator. Having it around all the time is a voice of encouragement whispering in your ear, helping you stay focused on the prize and energized to overcome any obstacle.
Everyone runs into a wall at some point. You’re not alone if you feel discouraged. To keep it from happening, or to deal with it if it does, try these ideas:
- Use positive images. Find a visual that shows why you want to get healthy in the first place, or what you’ll be doing after you reach your goal. A picture of your family, the new dress you want to wear, or a basketball.
- Use positive words. Keep notes of encouragement with you or choose a few favorite inspirational words. You can get plenty of these words on the Message Boards.
- Use positive books and movies. Watch and read positive things that show you what’s possible. Trade your favorites with friends. Find a hero and try to adapt their qualities to your journey.
- Use positive quotes. Keep some inspirational quote books handy. They could give you that lift right when you need it most. Choose one as your personal motto and plaster it everywhere.
- Use positive music. Let music that makes you feel good become the background theme of your life.
