I like to set fitness goals for myself. In the first quarter, my goal was to run a half marathon which I did on March 31st.
Now it’s time for a new goal and in the second quarter, I’m focusing on strength training. I’ll see how much I can increase my push-up and pull-up maximum repetitions before the end of the quarter. I’m also keeping track of body composition. This is part of an overall mission to get in better shape.
Mind Over Muscle
Older daughter (OD) came home from school one day in early April and announced this:
I want to run the Bolder Boulder!
My response was less than enthusiastic because OD has never been excited about athletics. Her younger sister can run like the wind all day. OD is more like me; slow and steady and the Bolder Boulder is a 10k race. I replied with:
ok?
We signed up for the race and our school’s 6-week training program. Every Tuesday and Thursday, OD would join her classmates after school for an hour of running.
I joined OD for the last 3 training sessions. OD could run a mile, but would poop out after that. As race day drew near, I told her that it’s OK to finish the race at any pace that’s comfortable. I explained that we’d walk whenever we needed to and she should just enjoy the event (it’s a spectacle with live music, waterslides and beer along the course [I’d never seen a keg-stand in person before the race!]).
Race Day
Race day came and the weather was cool and cloudy. Perfect! We worked our way up to the starting line. And BOOM, we were off:
Somewhere in the first mile, there was a band playing Chariots of Fire. Accompanying the band was a lady on vocals who sounded something like Clare Torry on Pink Floyd’s Great Gig in the Sky. It was amazing and gave me the chills.
15 minutes in: I whipped out the phone and got a selfie:
22 minutes in: We encountered dinosaurs:
Shortly after the dinosaur sighting, I asked OD if she’d like to walk (we had ran up to this point). Her response was firm:
No.
I was impressed. We were almost a third of the way done and she was running strong.
41 minutes in: We still hadn’t rested. I was tempted by the frequent offers of free beer, but if OD wanted to keep running, there was no way I was going to slow her down by waiting in a beer line. Time for another selfie:
80 minutes in: The race ends at Folsom Field on the University of Colorado campus. Throughout the race, I had asked OD how she was doing and if she needed to rest. Her answer was always No. Now that we were in Folsom Field, I knew that she was going to run the entire race:
Finish!
And finally, we were done:
I hugged OD and told her how proud of her I was.
Prior to the Bolder Boulder, OD had never run more than a mile. Before the race, she told me she was going to run the whole thing. She’s stubborn just like her dad and refused to give in. Mind over muscle.
While we didn’t set Boulder on fire with our pace, she ran the entire time. She refused to slow down for anything, even drinking cups of water without missing a step.
The Brain Game
While OD was training, I frequently told her this:
The limiting factor in how well you’ll run isn’t your legs; it’s your mind. You can always do more than you think you can.
This is a lesson that I learned from my physical fitness pursuits. A couple years ago, I could barely run a mile. A couple months ago, I ran a half-marathon. The main battle I find with physical fitness is with my mind:
- It’s difficult to convince yourself to get out there and do it every day.
- It’s easy to throw in the towel instead of doing one more mile or one more set.
- Ordering the cheeseburger is easier than ordering the grilled chicken salad.
However, if you can push through, you can do amazing things. OD showed me just how true this is last weekend.
My Progress
The P90x routine had a rest week last week. And this week, I got busy with a bunch of other projects which turned into a second rest week.
*groans*
I’m trying to finish up a bunch of projects including a new bed and planter boxes before guests arrive in a couple weeks. The planter boxes took much more time than I initially thought they would. Also, after a day of working outside in the heat, I was just too wiped out to complete a worthwhile workout. I’ll complete my projects this weekend and then I’m back on the horse.
Walking Dude
In better news, my goal of walking 6,000,000 steps this year is on track. I’m up to 2,547,207:
I’m averaging 16,869 steps per day which puts me on pace to complete 6,157,155. I expect this pace to accelerate in June when we’re on vacation and I’ll be doing more walking than average.
No Pics!
The last 2 weeks didn’t work out how I wanted them to. Projects with deadlines got in the way. Look at the bright side; you didn’t have to see any pics of my pasty torso!
I’ll be back in 2 weeks though with an update and disturbing pics. You can count on that!
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Olivia says
Wow, what OD did was insane! I can’t believe she didn’t run more than a mile prior to the race. It definitely is mind over matter for her.
I once signed up for a half-marathon and didn’t train for it. The morning of, it was raining and I didn’t even attempt it. I’ve definitely got inspired by OD!
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MUSTARD SEED MONEY says
That’s awesome that OD rocked that 10k. I feel like the mind goes out much sooner than the body. That’s why I’m such a big fan of group classes and training with someone. Having that extra motivation along the way is incredibly helpful.
Bob says
That is Fantastic! A 10k is a pretty long distance for a youngun. As Yoda would say, the mind is strong with this one. Good job!
Jason@WinningPersonalFinance says
“The limiting factor in how well you’ll run isn’t your legs; it’s your mind. You can always do more than you think you can.”
That quote is so very true with fitness as well as other challenges. We are all capable of accomplishing so much if we can focus, commit and never give up!
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Wade says
There is a quote over the local high school running track.
“It isn’t how much pain you can tolerate, it is how long you can tolerate the pain…”
Congrats on her finishing (and you). That is a tough run at elevation for us flat landers.
Carol @ DownsizeYour2080 says
That’s so impressive that OD did the Bolder Boulder without having run the full distance prior. I’ve ran it before and it is such a fun race! Good for you and her ?
The brain game is real. Everyday! In fact, since today is a new month, I will set a new fitness tracking goal. Thanks for the inspiration!
Mr. Tako says
That’s a fierce lil lady you got there. Impressive mental fortitude.
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Mr. PoP says
Nice Job OD!
Financial Velociraptor says
Gogogogogogo OD. Loved the dinosaurs.
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wendy says
Wowzer! Tell OD I said ‘Woooooooot!! You go!’
super geeked for her, please tell her I send Hi5s and major kudos!
🙂
Jon W says
Awesome job for your OD! Congrats! We (meaning: the rest of the family) run the occasional 5k. Me, not so much. I’m lucky to get a nice fast walking pace for 5k, when my left knee will allow it. Regarding your 6,000,000 goal, it’s definitely doable. I was definitely on that pace for stretches of several months at a time over the last few years. Not so much this year. Time to get motivated again. A couple years ago I had a 44k step day doing a day hike with my son. It was painful but rewarding!
Tonya@Budget and the Beach says
Congrats to you both! How fun to run on the field like that. I did a 5k once in Ann Arbor where U of M is, and we got to run through the tunnel and onto the field while the Michigan fight song was being played and I got really teary-eyed because I’d only ever been in the stands.
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Tủ rack says
Congrats to you both! Nice Job OD!
freddy smidlap says
10k first time out is spectacular. i remember my first one at age 14. it was hot as hell and about 5 miles in i saw one of my teachers in the crowd who was cheering for me. i picked up the pace and that was a bad mistake as there was a lot more to go than i thought for an inexperienced kid trying this. live and learn. that’s just great that she gutted it out.
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Steve says
Congrats on the race! Which p90x routine were you doing? You do any climbing out there? I know Chicago started opening a bunch of climbing gyms all over. Becoming the next big thing.
Mr. 1500 Days says
I’m just doing the normal P90x.
We have a new climbing gym here in Longmont too!
Steve says
I always thought the original was the most intense anyways. That yoga! “Tip of the day, don’t hit your face!” haha. Tony and his cheesy lines, gotta love it!
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MrWow says
This is fantastic it’s funny how a 10k now feels short huh? It was a training run foe you and now you can go out and enjoy a 6 mile run. Good for you. It’s amazing how things change so much. And for the better in this instance.
Great stuff!!
Mr. 1500 Days says
I know, right? 10k? Whateva! Life is good.