As with any training, for any endeavor, there are highs and lows. I would be a robot if I could wake up at the Oatmeal’s “ass o’clock” and workout, shower, eat breakfast, commute to work, head home, workout again, hit the sack, and then do it all over again the next day without any emotion. I get tired. I have doubts. I compare myself to others. And sometimes, I give up a little. I’m human and I know these things are normal. I hate when I feel down and out, but again, I’m fairly certain it’s totally normal. (If it’s not, feel free to just leave me a comment about how I’m a freak. Haha.) As a word lover, I often find quotes and phrases can help get me through rough patches. You should see my Pinterest quotes board.
I read the quote below a bit ago on Erin’s blog and it really stuck with me.
I love competing. I’m a competitive person…but sometimes the thoughts of how others are training or racing can take a toll. This quote is a great reminder on keeping that joy on what you have accomplished regardless of what others are doing.
Today, as I got up to swim I was really tired. Shocking, I know. Who isn’t tired at 4:30 in the morning? I got to the pool and saw it was long course and debated getting right back in my car. I had 3,000 yards on my plan. Long course is 50 meters, which would put me at 3,280 yards, but I usually just stick to the numbers on my plan and get more bang for my buck, so to speak.
Anywho, as I began my warm up, I started feeling better. I got to my first main set of doing eight by 100’s and I kept thinking about the fight to get through each one and keep going. This quote helped me get through all 3,000 meters today:
I’m not a “big dog” so to speak but I fought for that swim this morning and I’m happy that Mark Twain had a little something to do with it.
Got any motivational words that help you along? Have a great Wednesday!
This is my quote for today:
Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure… than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt
It seems relevant as I am heading in to my second marathon ever and my first in ages. Eeek!
It sounds like you are calling me a robot. Not sure if that's a compliment or not….
Another great quote: "there will come a day when we cannot do this anymore. Today will not be that day"
and one that gets me through a lot of tough workouts: "This is why we're fucking rockstars"
no idea where those came from but they are not Flynn originals. Now get back to work. It's a recovery week, so I did a 75 minute yoga workout this morning and will run 10 miles tonight after work – like a robot.
"I get tired. I have doubts. I compare myself to others. And sometimes, I give up a little". Yup, all of this happens to me. I try not to compare myself to others too often because it just makes doubting myself and giving up a little happen more often.
I don't really have any motivational quotes. I just tell myself if I don't get in my training and put in all the effort I can muster then I'm not going to reach my goals.
Every little victory counts. For the record, you are totally rocking it … good days and bad. xo
I hadn't read this post until now, but yes, I think we all fall victim to comparison, as I expressed to you this morning. You're doing amazingly, and your training is inspirational. I'm so impressed with your constant dedication and willingness to wake up early and get in a second workout, and it motivates me to keep shooting to fulfill my workout plans. I think the goal from here on out should be to share one positive thing about each workout that we do with each other. It doesn't matter if the whole workout just blows; I'm sure there's one thing we can find about it that makes it a victory. And I think maybe having all those little victories shared between us (and Tori) will make our outlook a little more positive, and we can remember those victories when we're having tough moments or doubting ourselves. What do you think?
Thanks for the shout out! That quote has been on constant repeat since I started triathlon, and I think it always will be 🙂