May is a great time of year! Mother’s Day is in May, people make those corny, “It’s Gonna be May,” and “May the 4th Be With You” jokes all in one week, Memorial Day rounds out the month, which also means that outdoor pools open on the East Coast. It’s a great time to be alive!
For this month’s Thursday Throwdowns, we’re focusing on making May a Motivational May. This week, our theme is May Mantra, which means we’re talking about how we focus, or what we say to ourselves to push through something that may be challenging or difficult.
I’ve definitely had my share of struggles over the last several weeks, and I’ve had to tap into my “mantra bank” to make sure I stay focused. Work has been wicked busy, which means less time for blogging, and less energy for things like marathon training and volleyball. Nevertheless, I’ve made myself spend just a little bit of time focusing on blogging and fitness, and while it’s not nearly as much as usual, I haven’t given up!
I came thisclose to deciding against running my half marathon this upcoming Sunday. I really did. Sure, I came up with a whole host of reasons why I shouldn’t run it, but when I went over the list in my head, they just sounded like a bunch of excuses. And whining. Boy, do I hate when my internal dialogue is all whiny! So what do I tell myself when I start the excuse train?
Suck it up and do it!
I mean, seriously. You might be surprised how many times I tell myself this, especially when I’m running. You know when you and one of your friends decide to do something, but later you’re both waiting for the other one to cancel so you don’t have to do it? This mantra definitely comes in handy. My friend and I decided to sign up for this yoga class at the buttcrack of dawn (I DON’T KNOW WHY), and we were both being babies about it. We both woke up late and we both hoped the other wasn’t going to force us to go. But then, we decided to just suck it up and go for it. And, you know what? We really enjoyed it! It was a great start to the day!
The second mantra I’ve been using might sound a little weird, but this is my blog, so I’m just going to throw it out there! 😛
[Fill in the Blank], Reed!
The blank is usually, “you got this” or “come on,” but to answer your question, yes! I talk to myself to motivate myself! I honestly don’t know when I started doing this, but I think it might have coincided with when I first started to enjoy running. I often replay this mantra in my head when I start slowing down during a race or losing focus. It really works for me!
What works for you? Do you have a mantra? How do you get yourself to focus or concentrate when your mind starts to wander?
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I have a couple of different mantras, but my go-to right now is also my signature on my blog: Keep fighting. It reminds me that I've come a long way and that I have the power within me to do anything as long as I keep fighting for it.
I have a couple of different mantras, but my go-to right now is also my signature on my blog: Keep fighting. It reminds me that I've come a long way and that I have the power within me to do anything as long as I keep fighting for it.
I don't have a mantra! I think I need a mantra 🙂
I don't have a mantra! I think I need a mantra 🙂
My mantra is work until your idols become your rivals.
My mantra is work until your idols become your rivals.
Hmm, I don't know if I have a mantra. Guess it would be "just keep going."
I totally talk to myself. I definitely have some running specific mantras–Run the mile you are in!
That's a great mantra! Never give up that fighting spirit!
Totally! All the cool kids are doing it. 😉
Totally! All the cool kids are doing it. 😉
I like it! I love competition, so I might have to adopt this during this year's marathon training!
That sounds like a mantra to me!
I'm going to use this on Sunday for my half marathon. I keep psyching myself out! I'll have to keep reminding myself to focus on my current mile and stop worrying about everything else.
I'm going to use this on Sunday for my half marathon. I keep psyching myself out! I'll have to keep reminding myself to focus on my current mile and stop worrying about everything else.
Running isn't always going to be easy, but we have to sometimes just suck it up and do it like you said. I had a 5k tonight that I wanted to just throw in the towel bc it was raining but I did it. And I'm glad I did. I ended up placing in my age group.
I have so many mantras! The title of my blog kind of came from one. Relentless forward progress. Relentless forward motion. Relentless forward commotion (the blog, lol). Basically, they all remind me to just keep moving forward, never give up!
I need to start telling myself to "suck it up" as I have definitely been lazy not only when it comes to running but cooking too! I never regret it when I actually do it, but ugh, I have to kick myself in the butt sometimes! I will definitely keep up with the Throwdown and participate as often as I can! 🙂
nice post Lex R!
thanks for sharing with us. keep this blog update
nice post Lex R!
thanks for sharing with us. keep this blog update
Motivation and Momentum. And Just One More
Momentum is what keeps you going once you start something.
If I don’t have the motivation, then it’s hard to get started.
Let’s say I don’t have the motivation to go running.
My first trick is to keep things simple. My running gear is easy to access and requires no though.
Aiming high is great if you got the motivation. But if you haven’t then my second trick is to aim low! Let’s just run for 500m, or two minutes.
Once you started it’s easier to continue because you’ve built up the momentum.
Another example: cleaning. Can’t face it? Start by just putting a few items away. Once you’ve finished you’ll likely find you have the motivation to do the rest of the room!
Motivation and Momentum. And Just One More
Momentum is what keeps you going once you start something.
If I don’t have the motivation, then it’s hard to get started.
Let’s say I don’t have the motivation to go running.
My first trick is to keep things simple. My running gear is easy to access and requires no though.
Aiming high is great if you got the motivation. But if you haven’t then my second trick is to aim low! Let’s just run for 500m, or two minutes.
Once you started it’s easier to continue because you’ve built up the momentum.
Another example: cleaning. Can’t face it? Start by just putting a few items away. Once you’ve finished you’ll likely find you have the motivation to do the rest of the room!
I'm all about a good mantra in tough times. One of my favorites when running is… "There will be a day you can't do this… today is not that day!"
I'm all about a good mantra in tough times. One of my favorites when running is… "There will be a day you can't do this… today is not that day!"
I'm all about a good mantra in tough times. One of my favorites when running is… "There will be a day you can't do this… today is not that day!"