Remember How Far You’ve Come
October 2015 after finishing a 5k…a bit dramatic I know lol
We live in a fast paced world that is filled with sources of gratification, competition, and pressure. It’s only too easy to set a goal, accomplish it, and then immediately move on to the next thing without giving much, if any, thought to what we just accomplished. There were two things that occurred this past week that brought this to my attention.
The first was a facebook memory of the first time I was able to do 6 pull-ups. In this video I was so overjoyed. It took 2 years for me to accomplish this many reps (see video below). If you fast forward a few years to the present day, while I am happy to be doing 5-6 pull-ups, I also find myself feeling somewhat disappointed. A year ago I had completed my highest reps of strict pull-ups to date, 9 pull-ups, and catch myself thinking that anything less than 9 is slightly disappointing. It took me seeing this memory to remember how grateful I would have been a few years ago just to be able to do 5-6 pull-up reps on a weekly basis. When did what I once thought would be a huge accomplishment become a disappointment?
Videos of my pull-up journey over the past 4 years
The second thing that happened during my long run this past weekend. If you are following my stories on Instagram, you might know that I had a setback or an injury of sorts during my run on Sunday. I set out planning to run 12 miles and at mile 10ish I got a massive pain in my calf and had to walk the rest of the way. Thank you to Sarah for coming to my rescue and picking me up at mile 11. I have a high pain threshold and can be very stubborn but I also know how to respect and listen to my body. That pain in my leg was more than a warning, it was a bright red light demanding me to stop or face consequences. I hobbled around all day on Sunday and Monday trying not to feel disappointed in myself for not completing the goal that day.
It wasn’t until my friend, Sarah, pointed out that 3 weeks ago I was so impressed with myself for being able to run 10 miles. Why was I disappointed today at running 10 ½ miles? This mileage is way more than I ever imagined I’d be running let along during the winter months of January!
Picture from my longest run to date on 1/1/2021 (13.5 miles)
Whether you're a highly competitive individual like myself or someone who is constantly changing their goals I think we can easily be a disservice to ourselves. We don’t give ourselves enough credit where it's due or take time to appreciate our abilities. The next time that you're feeling disappointed with your performance whether it be a workout, a run, a race etc. can you take a minute to remember and reflect on what you felt like a few months or years ago. Hopefully what you’ll remember is that you’d be amazed, excited, and even joyous at your accomplishments today even if they seem mediocre in the moment.
I want to pause here to take a minute to recognize that I also understand that what I am able to accomplish is a privilege. I have access to equipment in my home and have a body that (mostly) cooperates with what I ask it to do. I understand that some individuals may not be where they were a few years ago to age, illness, jobs, family, income, and many other circumstances. But I think (and hope) that the same rules would still apply. When you look back on what you accomplished, hopefully you are proud of these feats whether its completing a fitness goal, starting a family or career, or any other accomplishments in between.
If your anything like me maybe you’ll remember that you once were the girl that would get an exercise routine from her mother and say nope I’m not going to be doing that, that fainted during her first boxing class, that could hardly do a chin-up, that once was terrified (although excited) at the thought of running a 5k, that wouldn’t have dared to run in temperature less than 60 degrees, and that suffered through a ½ marathon and just barely made it.
From the starting line of my first 1/2 marathon and what would be one many runs to come with Sarah (@thebalancebeast)
Maybe when you stop to reflect you’ll realize that your also the girl that stood back up after the boxing class and signed up, that took control of her fitness and became a personal trainer, that learned how to do 9 pull-ups, than ran the farthest distance she’s ever run (13.5 miles) pain free and simply because she wanted to, that ran in 14 degree temperatures and up mountains, and that despite numerous injuries and setbacks she still keeps going and preserving.
Maybe we just need to take a minute to remember and appreciate just how we’ve come.
Thank to everyone that has supported me on this crazy journey. Below are a few memories from the past years from own journey that I wanted to share with you.
At the finish line of my first 1/2 marathon
Running in freezing temperature 12/2020
Trail Running Fall of 2020
Heavy Bag Workout 2018