Author: Cheryl

Start where you are. Do what you can.

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It isn’t a journey if you never start.

So, Let’s get STARTED!!!

This is the part of the journey where things got serious. In November of 2022 I ran the Outer Banks Marathon in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in what turned out to be a Boston Qualifying time. The application window for entry into Boston 2024 closed and I made it, even with the big gap between qualifying times and accepted times. Queue the fireworks! The next step was training well, staying injury free and making it there. ✅ Then came race day and…

Woo Hoo, I finished, but wow, it kicked my ass, and I am not happy. I made some serious mistakes and now it’s time to make amends.

Boston Marathon, Take 2 – Let’s do this!!! A peek at my upcoming training.

Unfinished training plans… what’s up with that?

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My success rate is only 25%

I have completed only 4 of the 12 Garmin Coach plans I have started over the last few years. Some were legitimate re-starts but I believe there could be something up that is getting in the way of me completing things. Does this happen to anyone else?

Today I restarted my 1/2 Marathon Training Plan because I had a tentative race date of Nov 4th on the calendar but finally opened the wallet and signed up to run the Holly Springs, North Carolina 1/2 Marathon on November 18th. It was a full two-week difference, and I couldn’t seem to update my current Garmin Coach plan with my new race date. I checked the Garmin forums and found that others had similar issues. I was 7 weeks into a 16-week plan, so I hated to just throw in the towel on that plan, but (and here’s what has me thinking I need to dig deeper), I was kinda glad because I was getting into the tough weeks and well, a restart was a lazy way out.

I decided to dig deeper into what might be causing me to keep stalling out…

  • Laziness – quite possibly
  • Fear of injury – past experience lends credibility to this being a reason
  • Fear of failure – if I don’t complete the training plan and I don’t do well in the race, I have my reason why

The fear of failure pops up as a legitimate issue. So, I went searching for some tips on how to overcome this. Here are some of the strategies I uncovered…

  • Strategy 1
  • Strategy 2
  • Strategy 3

I’m putting this in writing because maybe that will help hold me accountable to completing my current training block. I guess I’ll find out in the next 12 weeks!

See you at the Holly Springs 1/2 Marathon in beautiful Holly Springs, NC on Saturday, November 18th at 7:12am EST!

NaNoWriMo* – Day 20 of 30

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“Today, Today is a Holiday” … John Kanaka-naka tu-lai-e!!!

Today indeed was a holiday from running or a rest day as Coach Amy calls it. We didn’t exactly rest, but went on a hike up Green Mountain outside of Boone, NC. So technically I didn’t rest my legs, but it was a beautiful day and we were hiking with family. Life is good.

Oh, and look up and play the song “John Kanaka” by Fisherman’s Friends. It should make you smile.

Back at it tomorrow with a 6-miler.

*NaNoWriMo is an annual event that challenges you to write a novel of 50,000 words in one month! Crazy right? Not everyone uses the challenge to write a novel – we are called NaNoRebels. For example, I challenged myself to write one blog post every day for a month and that is what you are seeing in these NaNoWriMo posts!!!

NaNoWriMo* – Day 19 of 30

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If you’ve been following along with me during this 30-Day Challenge, you may be wondering if I abandoned my running and training plan.

I’m happy to report that I am still running and training!!!

My current 30-challenge; however has revolved around developing the discipline to write every day. So that has resulted in a jumbled set of posts that don’t really follow any pattern, but I am so thrilled that to-date I have posted EVERY DAY for the last 19 days!!!

That in itself is a win for me, since I usually am very good at “issuing challenges”, but not necessarily great at execution and follow-through! So with 11 days remaining, I hope you will stick with me and understand that I am mainly writing with a “stream of consciousness” approach. Whatever comes to mind that particular day is what ends up in my post 😎

But about the training… today Coach Amy instructed me to run 3 miles EASY with a 2-minute warm-up and a 2-minute cool-down. Not only did I accomplish that, I did it pushing a stroller (with our grandson – a super cute running partner)!!!

Stay with me, I’m about to turn the corner and see the finish line!!!

*NaNoWriMo is an annual event that challenges you to write a novel of 50,000 words in one month! Crazy right? Not everyone uses the challenge to write a novel – we are called NaNoRebels. For example, I challenged myself to write one blog post every day for a month and that is what you are seeing in these NaNoWriMo posts!!!

NaNoWriMo* – Day 18 of 30

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BRRR…

Baby it’s cold outside!!! Wasn’t it just 95 with 100% humidity?

Why is it that in the heat of the summer, when the humidity’s high, I dream of a crisp cold breeze; but as soon as the temperatures drop, I’m dreaming of the warmth of the sun. 😂

Warm weather running vs Cold weather running – which do you prefer and why? Let me know in the comments below.

*NaNoWriMo is an annual event that challenges you to write a novel of 50,000 words in one month! Crazy right? Not everyone uses the challenge to write a novel – we are called NaNoRebels. For example, I challenged myself to write one blog post every day for a month and that is what you are seeing in these NaNoWriMo posts!!!

NaNoWriMo* – Day 17 of 30

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In October of 2018 I ran the Chicago Marathon as part of the ALZ Stars team and to support research and funding for Alzheimer’s programs.

In July of 2019, my Dad passed away. He had Alzheimer’s.

My sister who is just 2 years older than me is in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. She was diagnosed in her 50’s. She’s not doing so well right now. That’s her in the picture on the left. She loves flowers.

I run for her, and in memory of my Dad and for countless others who suffer from the disease or are actively caring for someone who does. It is a devastating disease. We need to keep fighting for a cure.

Alzheimer’s Sucks.

*NaNoWriMo is an annual event that challenges you to write a novel of 50,000 words in one month! Crazy right? Not everyone uses the challenge to write a novel – we are called NaNoRebels. For example, I challenged myself to write one blog post every day for a month and that is what you are seeing in these NaNoWriMo posts!!!

NaNoWriMo* – Day 16 of 30

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Beat back the doldrums with a run.

Amp it up more by inviting your best buds to run with you!!!

Although I consider myself a mostly positive person, there are days where things are just kinda blah. I think I’ve noticed a pattern. It seems like the doldrum days tend to follow a day or a period of great excitement.

It may be a day or so after a race or other type of event, when the afterglow has worn off and I’m left with just some sore legs or a muscle ache or two. Or when we’ve just gotten back from a vacay and the smell of the dirty laundry is overpowering the lingering memories of the fun we had.

When I find myself in the middle of a doldrum day, I push myself to move!

There’s nothing like a bit of movement to shake off the blues, whether they be Monday Blues or any other day blues. Which reminds me – in an earlier post I talked about a survey I am doing to report on whether the “Monday Blues” are a real thing or just an opportunity to jump on the bandwagon of shared misery.

I am still gathering responses and would love to include you in the survey. Choose from the following four answers to my “Monday Question” and include it in the comments below. Thank you to those who do – I really appreciate it!!!

Which statement best describes your view of Mondays…

1 – I dread Mondays. It means the start of another long work week, with the weekend seeming so far away.

2 – I look forward to Mondays. It’s always great to get a fresh start to a new week.

3 – I am a bandwagon rider. I’ll bemoan Mondays with the best of them, but I don’t really mind Mondays at all.

4 – I am ambivalent. I don’t really dread Mondays, but I don’t necessary get all excited about a Monday either.

Cheers to Mondays! Cheryl

*NaNoWriMo is an annual event that challenges you to write a novel of 50,000 words in one month! Crazy right? Not everyone uses the challenge to write a novel – we are called NaNoRebels. For example, I challenged myself to write one blog post every day for a month and that is what you are seeing in these NaNoWriMo posts!!!

NaNoWriMo* – Day 15 of 30

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Pushing through the Valley of Despair!

Psychologists Don Kelley and Daryl Connor describe “The Emotional Cycle of Change,” as following five stages. It’s a model that Brian P. Moran refers to in his book “The 12-Week Year” and one that I have found very applicable to setting and reaching goals.

Since today finds me squatting in the Valley, I thought it would be appropriate to share this information – perhaps it will help you as it does me!!!

A little insight into why we might be falling into a negative state can help us see a way to the next positive state!!!

The Emotional Cycle of Change and my thoughts…

1 – Uninformed Optimism: Starting something new – it’s fun and exciting. You don’t see any of the potential downsides to your goal/challenge. You pass quickly through this stage.

2 – Informed Pessimism: Newness has worn off – you’re thinking “Is this really worth the effort? What am I missing out on because I’m spending time here?”

3 – Valley of Despair: Negative thoughts have peaked and any potential benefits still seem a long way off. This is where most people throw in the towel because it just isn’t worth it. And if you quit here, you get to go back to the fun stage (and repeat the cycle). If you have a compelling vision it will help you push through the Valley of Despair.

4 – Informed Optimism: Your work is starting to pay off. Fun is returning to what you are focusing on. You can see a finish line in the distance. Time to accelerate your efforts!

5 – Successful Completion: You can look back with satisfaction on a goal/challenge/task achieved. YAY!!!

If I continue to focus on doing the necessary daily actions/tasks (writing every morning and following my coach’s training plan for running) I feel confident that I will “PUSH THROUGH” to successful completion!!!

How about you?

Where are you in this chart? Let me know in the comments below!

*NaNoWriMo is an annual event that challenges you to write a novel of 50,000 words in one month! Crazy right? Not everyone uses the challenge to write a novel – we are called NaNoRebels. For example, I challenged myself to write one blog post every day for a month and that is what you are seeing in these NaNoWriMo posts!!!

NaNoWriMo* – Day 14 of 30

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Team “Christop Crew” for the Shakori 40

Shakori Hills is a beautiful farm of rolling hills and meadows in the heart of North Carolina. This region is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and is most famous for the Shakori Hills Grassroots Music Festival held every spring and fall.

The Shakori 40 Running Festival had events for 40k Individual, 40 mile individual and 40 mile team relay. We entered the team relay with five members of our family.

We took 10th out of 74 teams, on the backs of our two fastest runners. Each person on the team has to run at least one 4-mile course loop. I managed two loops for the 8-miles I needed to check the box on my training plan for today.

The remnants of a hurricane had barreled through 2 days earlier so it was more of a mud run than anything else. It was the kind of thick wet mud that grabs your shoes and doesn’t want to let go. Throw a few hills in and some single-track and I was thankful to finish my first 4-miles at a 10:22 pace. The second 4-mile loop, well let’s just say I got my 8-miles in today.

All in all, it was a super fun day with all the energy that surrounds race day. It’s been hard to find in-person events this year so we were really excited to participate in this one.

*NaNoWriMo is an annual event that challenges you to write a novel of 50,000 words in one month! Crazy right? Not everyone uses the challenge to write a novel – we are called NaNoRebels. For example, I challenged myself to write one blog post every day for a month and that is what you are seeing in these NaNoWriMo posts!!!

NaNoWriMo* – Day 13 of 30

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Do External Rewards work?

There is an ongoing debate… as to whether extrinsic or intrinsic rewards are best. Let’s take a closer look.

Extrinsic Motivation

  • Participating in a sport to win awards (ME)
  • Cleaning your room to avoid being reprimanded by your parents
  • Competing in a contest to win a scholarship (ME)
  • Studying because you want to get a good grade (ME) or avoid a failing grade
  • Working hard to close as many deals as possible to earn the highest commission (ME)

Intrinsic Motivation

  • Participating in a sport because you find the activity enjoyable
  • Cleaning your room because you like tidying up (ME)
  • Solving a word puzzle because you find the challenge fun and exciting
  • Studying a subject you find fascinating
  • Closing as many deals as possible to help the greatest number of people with their challenges

It appears that intrinsic rewards lean mostly positive; while extrinsic motivators can be either positive (the carrot) or negative (the stick).

As with other things in life, we all come to our particular situation with differences in genetics, personality, backgrounds, upbringings, world experiences and much more. I believe these also play a role in our responses to different types of rewards.

My very personal and one-person survey reveals that I respond best to POSITIVE-TYPES OF EXTRINSIC REWARDS.

And so, knowing myself and that I get excited, energized and fiercely determined when I see the reward of a finish line and a “YOU DID IT” recognition of some sort, I will set about creating a positive external reward system for myself.

I’ll share what I come up with in an upcoming post and if you find yourself in a similar camp, I’ll be happy to pass it along to you!

Cheers to all you other positively externally motivated individuals!!!

*NaNoWriMo is an annual event that challenges you to write a novel of 50,000 words in one month! Crazy right? Not everyone uses the challenge to write a novel – we are called NaNoRebels. For example, I challenged myself to write one blog post every day for a month and that is what you are seeing in these NaNoWriMo posts!!!