Friday, August 19, 2011

Fitness Friday-Fears and Doubts

Hi all!  Welcome Fitness Friday Blog Hoppers!  Today's topic of choice.....fear.

The other day I saw this quote on Money Saving Mom

and it really made me think a lot about myself and how I see myself as a runner.  As much as I try I compare myself at times with other runners to gague how much of a "real runner" I am....mileage, speed, dedication.  It has been one of my goals to join a running group but fear has always kept me away.  What if I'm the slowest?  What if they are all great runners?  Silly fear stealing the joy from what could be a great time!  My mother-in-law yesterday gave me a sign-up sheet for a local running group.  It's $50 for 12 weeks of speed work.....pretty much exactly what I need to kick my butt into gear and reach my 1/2 marathon goal of breaking 1:50!  However in stepped my old friends fear and doubt last night....I'll be missing the first session.....ugh!  I am going to need to just send it in and jump out of my comfort zone putting my old friends behind me for good! 

What steals your joy from running?  How do you break through it?

12 comments:

  1. I know exactly what you mean. Just so you know, not to compare, but you run faster than I do! I think that your worries are unnecessary! Even if you are the slowest. So what! You just bared yourself on the internet; why not do the same in life!?

    I think it is hard when we see/hear people talking about running a longer distance or a faster time than us, but I think you just need to be comfortable with yourself and work on beating YOUR OWN PR, not trying to beat other runners PRs.

    Came over from Fitness Friday!

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  2. I understand what you are saying. I always just say that someone is always going to be faster. that is just the way it is, so why not just go for it. =)

    But for me I usually just get crabby one day and then my bad attitude takes away from my running.

    have a great weekend! -Jen

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  3. Go for it! You'll have a great time when you're done. Good luck. (hopping over from the blog hop)

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  4. That's SO what I need... once I can really run again. I can't find anything like that around here! I steal the joy from running by being too competitive, thinking I should be faster and wondering why I can't be as fast as this person or that. I have to really get into my brain and remind myself what this running thing is all about!

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  5. i can totally relate to this. i HATE getting stuck comparing myself to others because it takes all the fun out of it! i usually will go for a LR by myself or take a week where I just run for myself...it always brings the joy back!

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  6. This is a great post. I get in this rut sometimes, and it usually takes a run or two without my watch to really break out of it.

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  7. (New follower!) It's funny how running insecurity seems to get a hold of a lot of runners. I find myself telling people I'm a *slow* runner before anyone can ask...not that anyone does. It's disheartening that I stand in the way of enjoying running at times. I need to get over myself and stop worrying about my pace. I'm not going to get any fast worrying about it!

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  8. Great post. Labels are not helpful most of the time, I think.

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  9. Don't beat yourself up and just go next time! You will feel better and then you can say you did it!!! I know you can!!! I have broken through my running with walking....then running. Biking is my thing, but I'm starting not only to like running but one day being proud to call myself a runner......soon!!! Keep on going girl!

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  10. all of the above is what bothers me but we are working on it, right?

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  11. Self doubt steals my joy for sure! The self doubt often comes from comparing myself to others. I don't compare as often as I have in the past and I'm working on just enough comparison to keep my inspired to push a little harder or run a little faster.

    How do I break through it? Something 12 year old daughter taught me by saying "mom you just ran a marathon" or "mom you ran 18 miles yesterday!" She's right. So I try to focus on the positive and see my accomplishments for what they are. Not always easy but it works.

    Great post. Thanks for linking up this week!

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  12. Totally get the doubts, BUT you can do it!! Go for it!! :)

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