This past weekend we held a charity race at Empowered Fitness called the SandBLAST Challenge. It was a 3+ mile run with some obstacles added in to challenge the participants to do more than just run. We meant this event to be fun...but also require some serious physical effort.
In talking with some of the participants after the race, I was surprised to hear how almost every one of them was very nervous leading up to the race. I know how fit they are and had no doubt that they would be able to do the whole thing. But they weren't seeing what I could see. They didn't have confidence in their abilities (yet!). They were seriously worried. Would they be able to complete the course? Did they have the endurance to finish? Was it too much for them?
I'm happy to report that while the course took the racers through sand, mist, and a serious hill climb, everyone finished the race...and with some spectacular times! They kept their eye on the prize of finishing and succeeding all the way to the finish line.
Fitness is tough! It requires effort. Now don't get me wrong...our bodies are meant to be moving, working hard, with our blood spinning through our veins and energy surging in our bodies. It's how we have been formed to function and when we do exercise like this, we tend to feel physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually balanced. But it's not necessarily easy to do.
Do you have a fitness goal that you are aiming for? If not, it is a great way to motivate you to move your body and be consistent. A great one we're steering our clients towards is the Half Moon Bay International Marathon where you have a choice of doing a 5K "Fun Run", 10K, Half Marathon, or the Full Marathon to be held on September 23rd, 2012. It's very helpful to have a goal or "prize" in mind to keep focused on as you order your workouts. It will keep you motivated and consistent in your efforts and will ultimately get you the results you are looking for.
Many people have come to believe the myth that they are just not meant to be active. They've been sedentary most of their lives and believe that this is their lot in life and are not able to change. Or they have been out of the practice of exercise for so long that they don't believe they could ever do something like a 3 mile obstacle course. Well this weekend proves that in both cases, this kind of thinking is "headtrash". Because you CAN do it! Remember, our bodies are MEANT to move. And no matter how long you've been away from activity, it is never too late to start. And nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is beyond you. Believe in yourself and give yourself a chance and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish!
