The Power of Goals March 29, 2009

The past few months I have gone running every so often. Maybe once or twice a week. And I am hardly able to go a mile which was frustrating to me, but I figured it was because I wasn’t going often enough. A few weeks ago, some friends of mine mentioned that they ran down to a nearby high school, a distance of about three miles there and back. I thought about that for nearly a week–what an excellent idea!, thought I,  I should run to that high school! Then a week ago Saturday was a gorgeously warm day and my husband and I saw people running everywhere, all day long. It made me want to run as well. So Saturday night, I ran (“I just felt like running”). I ran towards the high school. I didn’t make it there, but I did run TWO miles.  Just like that! It was even pleasant! Then, two nights later, I decided that night was the night, and I ran all the way to the high school and back. I did it! I was pretty sore the next day which was exciting to me because my sorry little mile runs made my lungs tired more than my legs. It was seriously a very awesome moment when I finished that run. I felt so happy and grateful. And I am telling you, it was because I had a goal. It was so motivating and empowering to have a goal, and to envision myself making the goal. So set a goal. Even if you don’t make it right away, the effort will be rewarding and the attainment will be unbelievable. I tripled the distance of my running and I hadn’t even done any running in at least three weeks. Although, I should add that I had been biking to work and that was a pretty good workout. But anyway, get a goal. It works.