1. This sucks and I just started. The run was a 4 mile loop repeated 13 times. The first couple loops I realized my back was stiff and my muscles were tight. I hadn't run very much in about a month before this race and my body was struggling to get into it. And isn't that one of those lessons learned in life? We fall off the wagon and it gets incredibly difficult to get back on. A project for work we're procrastinating seems impossible to start. A weight loss goal we keep forgetting about every time we have to enter the gas station... Don't give up friends. It is so worth the fight. One "foot" in front of the other. Small goals to achieve big things. 2. If ya ain't first you're probably better off No way on God's green earth am I going to finish first...but maybe if I went a little faster? Slow down you idiot. You've never even run this distance before. Going too hard too fast can screw you up in the long run. For many of us, this is one of those life lessons learned the hard way.A lot of us tend to want to be the best. We race in life and end up feeling burnt out more often than not. I am so guilty of this. I have to remember not to exhaust all my energy on one lap of the race, one day in life, one project... Don't use up all your willpower on just one thing. It's best to leave the racing to professionals. (Although shout out to my girl Lori who did end up winning the overall 50 miler! Wow! Professional butt-kicking inspiration!!) 3. Walkin' ain't so bad My third loop I walked the whole thing. I realized early that I had a very long day ahead of me and should conserve my energy. It was my slowest lap overall but I know it helped carry me to the finish. Feeling like you need a break and it's only 9am? Well do it! It may not sound like a very inspirational life lesson but...Slow down, put your phone out of reach, and breathe. Even a 2 minute break from life will help you reboot. Walk your third lap, my friend. Liz Wilcox does it. 4. Everybody likes a pat on the back I always run alone. I haven't done a race with someone since 2013 (oh wait, that 5k with my husband!) and I like it that way. How can I hope to hear the "life lessons" the universe is trying to give me if I have a partner that is jabbering all the time? Running is ME time. I don't have to think or worry about any of life's responsibilities. It's pretty much the cheapest form of therapy, if I'm being honest here. However, I love to cheer on other runners. Any time I pass someone or they pass me, I say great job! Way to work it! Wow, look at you! I don't leave this exclusively for race day either. Everyone likes to be complimented, especially on their hard work. Next time you see someone working their toosh off, let 'em know! Gas station clerk slinging those upsales? Right on man! Walmart cashier smiling despite the rage from someone standing in her line when the light is clearly off? I see you and I appreciate you! Mother of 3 outside in public? Wow, your kids are amazing and so are you! Complimenting others is just about the most fun you'll have with life lessons. Just try it and see what a great time you have! 5. I'm actually doing this!! I never thought I could but I am! My husband ran the last two laps with me which means he saw the craziest side of me there is. At the end of a race or hard project or bad day, I talk to myself. I say all sorts of inspirational stuff to myself. The Bear Bait 50 Miler was no exception. "Wow! I'm really going to finish! I'm tired and cranky but I feel so alive. Be proud, Liz! Holy crap, I am almost done. Can you believe it? C'mon Liz. You can do it. You ARE doing it. Let's go!" This is verbatim, I kid you not. Don't be afraid to give yourself a pep talk. If you aren't going to motivate yourself, who will? Look inside yourself and trust there is an amazing, accomplished WARRIOR in there and you can release it with a little bit of willpower and belief! Prove those Doubting Toms in your head wrong and work hard to get what you want! This may be the most important life lessons you learn! I honestly never thought I'd be able to run 50 miles. Not even on race day. Not even 3 hours in on race day. But I did, because I just kept telling myself I could. There isn't anything in me that is different than you. I simply have learned to engage the power of positivity. 6. I don't really push myself to run anymore, I'm pulled. Again, 50 miles. Never in a million years did I think I'd be running 50 miles. I've always had an on again off again love affair with running. I look back at the last 12 months or so and feel gratitude that I was able to rekindle my love for it. I've run more in that time than I probably have in the last ten years. A year ago I was just beginning to use running as a means back to happiness and now running has propelled me into pure joy. I am no longer pushing myself to run; running is pulling me towards the road day in and day out, and as you know, pulling is a much stronger action than pushing . I hope all of you are able to find your pull. Whether it be running or something else, don't be afraid to fall so deeply in love with something JUST FOR YOU that it literally pulls you out of bed in the morning. I am so grateful for my pull. Love these life lessons? Comment to let me know what lessons in life you've learned! And don't forget to share with your friends!
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March 2017
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