Saturday, September 4, 2010

crushing the block ...

Yesterday, G wrote a rather insightful post on the self-imposed limitations we set for ourselves. After I read it, I sent her a message to let her know that she was right. She needs to start believing that she can reach her "dream goal." And that since she mentioned it, I might as well start believing that I can reach mine too.

For me, it is clear that my failures (if you want to call them that) are results of mental weakness. I am a strong runner. I know this. I thrive during training. I hit my goal times. And sometimes crush them. I excel at shorter distances (10K or less), not because I am better at them than longer distances, but because I have the confidence that I can complete them without faltering. And thus, I do.

In the longer distances, I set myself up poorly. When my body tells me it's had enough, I believe it. Even if it's not really the case. I know that I am capable of more, but when crunch time comes, I begin to doubt it. But that has to stop. I need to believe that I can hold my goal paces (or at least come close), because that is the only way I am ever going to make it happen.

So, I am going to crush that block that I have been allowing to stop me. And I am putting this out there to the universe. I am a strong runner. And a powerful runner. And I can reach my goals because I am capable. And it starts now.

Based on all of my recent race times from 3 miles to 10K, I should be able to run a 1:50 - 1:53 half marathon. My current PR is 2:01. In Seattle, with Mel pacing me, I am GOING TO RUN a 1:52. Everyone else seems to think I can do it, and now, so do I.

And that marathon that is a mere six weeks away? My primary goal has always been, and still is, to train correctly, stay injury free and run strong. But, honestly, I want a sub 4:30 time. It would be a HUGE PR (like 40 minutes). But I KNOW, I can run it. Anything faster would just be icing on the cake.

Now, all I have to do is prove myself right.

30 comments:

Meggan said...

A woman in my mom's club always tells us to say "I will" instead of "I will try!" Good luck with the training!

MCM Mama said...

You are so gonna crush your old PR's! You've put in the training and you've improved by leaps and bounds this summer. Have faith in yourself. We all know you can do it.

Rene' said...

Love your post today. i know that you can do it. i read your post daily because you are an inspiration to me and others. if you can inspire us, you just need to inspire yourself too. hope RI is not to wet!

Earth Momma Mer said...

T, you MUST, you CAN and you WILL reach those goals. You are an inspiration to all of us and I would expect nothing less. Your confidence is an automatic boost for me, (even Hubby, although he'd never admit it). I WILL complete my first tri in the spring and prove I can be a woman of three sports!!!
Thanks for this motivational blog,
Mer

Jessica (Pace of Me) said...

this is an awesome post. i love it. i believe in you too and am so excited about your upcoming races!!!

Jessica (Pace of Me) said...

ps - tried to click on your link to G's blog because i would love to check it out, but the link doesn't seem to be working??

Pahla said...

Cheers to stomping all over mental blocks and reaching for your dreams! Go get 'em, girl!!

Anne said...

Those old PRs will be left in the dust! You are going to crush that block like no other! You are such an amazing and strong athlete.

Janet said...

Jeez girl! I could have told you all that about you a LONG time ago if you would've asked! However, it's refreshing to hear someone so talented have these same self doubts and mental blocks as an inexperienced, flailing runner (and I use that term loosely) as myself! Waiting to hear your crushed PR race recaps :)

Hunnybee said...

You will do it, and you will rock it! Can't wait to hear about it.

Julie D. said...

seriously, tonia. You absolutely can. I think you can go sub-1:50. The way you have been training...you've got it in the bag!!

Amy said...

Go you! I can't wait to hear how you rock it. :)

Silly Girl Running said...

You can, T! I'm sure you'll amaze yourself! :)

Katye said...

you have killer confidence and thus we all have even more confidence in you! You are a rockstar and seriously one of the most determined people I have ever met. I have no doubt you can kill all your goals

Anonymous said...

YOU CAN DO IT!!! :)

misszippy said...

Confidence is number 1 in my book when it comes to racing. If you can nail that 1/2 time, you're going to blow your full goal away. Go for it!

Rae said...

You go girl! You can do it!

Katie A. said...

You got it in the bag lady! And like you said, you're a strong runner, it's the mental game that holds us all back! Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Confidence is everything. This morning, on my 10 miles, I thought "Wow, I have run 13, 10 and 10 in one week. I've run several 13's this summer. This is a distance that I'm really starting to conquer."
The time and the base gives you the confidence to succeed. You will, my friend, you will.

Aimee said...

You CAN do it! Confidence and a positive mental attitude is everything!

Joanne said...

You can totally do it! But I also have trouble with overcoming the mental hurdles, so I get it. Glad to know I'm not the only one who's trying to overcome this problem!

Lisa said...

You go girl! To quote Nike, "just do it!"

Anonymous said...

It's great to see you making this commitment! I know that my mental blocks have limited me in the past. About a year ago, I realized that my fear of not finishing or getting hurt held me back. Since then, I've been pushing the envelope during races. It's easier to do some days than others- it's a work in progress, but at least it's progress!
You will do this!

Anonymous said...

You're right, you can... now go rock that race!

gba_gf said...

"DO. Or DO NOT. There is no TRY" ~Yoda.
or, if you prefer:
"Cowboy Up."

Have a great run tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you.

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

YEAH BABY!

Nicole on the run said...

It really is mind over matter! If you believe you can do something, you can!

If I were to run a marathon my goal would be to finish it. And I know that if I do the work, and believe in myself, I would.

I love your outfit in the header of your blog!

TNTcoach Ken said...

I love it, some brain training.........

Karen Seal said...

Good luck! I know you can do it!! :0)

dawn @ running the dawn said...

you are going to blow your own mind with how fast you can go! once you choose to believe in yourself it makes the biggest difference EVER! good work on exercising the muscle of the mind :)