How many of us in the past have heard the phrase: “We are what we think!” We all have those days when nothing seems like it is going right. The day may have started off with something unexpected, and right away, we, me included, think, “oh boy, here we go. I can tell this is going to be a good day.”. Of course we are being sarcastic. If we think we are going to have a bad day, we will. If we think we are going to have a good day, we will. It has now been 3 weeks since we ran the Fargo marathon, and the marathon is the most accurate of how our thoughts help determine how we do. If we are struggling, it gets in our head that things are not working, and then all of sudden, the entire race starts to unravel. Coach Godfrey here in town had the greatest line when it came to running a race: The race is 90% mental, and the other 10% is in your head! Exactly! Positive thoughts help create a positive experience, and negative thoughts create a negative experience, whether it is about running a race, or things in life in general. We are what we think!
Our run group in Watertown helps motivate each other, and push each to reach our goals. We still have to perform individually, but the strength and motivation each of us can get when we work together is amazing. We encourage each other, push each other, cheer for each other. We keep the thoughts positive. This is what you need to succeed. If you are around somebody all of the time who is negative, it is hard to hang around that person. And, if you are the one who is always negative, then maybe it is time to become more positive yourself. We are what we think!
This is Sarah and I walking to the start line of the marathon we just did. The back of my shirt says: Success–A Journey, not a Destination! Every race has taught me something, both positive and negative. They are all educational. Learning what we do right, and what we do wrong, all helps us grow as a person. Learn from your failures, and turn it into something positive. Make it be a positive memory. We are what we think! Many times we have to look beyond what is in front of us, or learn to look at what is in front of us, in a different way. Hopefully a positive way!
I take a ton of pictures of sunrise and sunsets. I learn something different from each one. It helps me look at something that I used to think was the “same old thing”, yet I am finding that each one can be, and is, totally different. Look beyond. See what may not be obvious. When we look at things we see everyday, looking at it another way can give us a whole different outlook, and perspective on things. We are what we think!
I even surprise myself as to how the reflections the sun will create with the water. If you are not paying attention, or getting right up to the edge, you miss it completely. Just like things that come up everyday in life. If we keep looking at things the same way all of the time, we miss things, and sometimes the obvious. Look beyond. Sometimes the answer we look for is there, but we are looking at it all wrong. We are what we think!
Eventually when we are running a race, or walking, or biking, we eventually get to the finish line. All it means is that particular event is done. Now we keep working for the next one. Or we keep coming up with new goals to attack head on the next day. Keep striving. Keep learning. Keep looking deeper. We are what we think!
This is our run group early one Saturday morning. We continue to keep going. We are looking ahead. There is also another common saying stating that the reason when we are driving in our car, that looking out the windshield has a much bigger view, and everything in the rearview mirror looks small. Keep looking ahead, and not back. Be positive. The past is already done. Don’t let it take you down from growing, and moving forward. When we listen to the positive thoughts in our head., the days are much more fulfilling and enjoyable. We are what we think! Keep moving everybody!
The season is changing, and this is an especially good time to get out and enjoy the colors, and scenery. If you go out biking, walking, running, just pay attention to your surroundings, and really look. Before you know it, you have been out exercising, but have lost track of time because you have been watching the colors, and the change of the season without even realizing it.
If you use the trail, go if you can in conjunction with the sunrise, and/or later in the evening to catch the sunset. You won’t be sorry. Here are some examples of how the trail looks.
Now if you go out by the Lake, anywhere, you can get in some breath taking views. This is what makes exercising outside so enjoyable. Your mind just gets lost on all of the problems from that day, or if you go early in the morning, it helps set the tone for the day by getting you ready for it. These are a few examples of what I am talking about.
Unless you are looking, you will miss it. Take it all in. Enjoy the activities outside for as long as we can. We are in October, and that snow is around the corner. Be outside while you can.
And it makes it even better if you are out doing the exercise with somebody else! Time really goes by fast then. So what are you waiting for? This weather is not going to stay like this forever. Don’t be shut out! Get outside before the time comes when we are stuck inside. We have been inside way too much this last 1 1/2 years already due to the pandemic. Get outside now! Literally strive to survive. Just do it! You won’t regret it. Keep moving everybody!
Last weekend we were in Fargo to run the marathon, and this week has been a recovery week. Just walking! I also got to relax a little bit more when at home, and especially this weekend. We got to spend the weekend as grandparents and take care of our grandson Connor Daniel. Here we are just relaxing watching TV. Sunday noon we will have our Vikings gear on and watch the football game. SKOL Vikings, let’s go!
This is a great way to relax and recover. Just spend time with our grandson. He loves to go walking in his stroller too. We just had to wait a little bit for it to get warmer out in the day to go!
Life is too short to just go, go, go! This week was a great example of taking the time to recover, and relax. Now you don’t have to run a marathon the week before to take a week off from all of the activities. You do have to listen to your body, and when you need a break from the activities, then take it. We just have to make sure we are not taking a several month break, or a permanent break. We still need to stay active, and be healthy. Having a grandson now is a perfect example of why you need to stay in shape. I need to keep exercising just to be able to keep up with all of his demands! We are all tired at the end of the day, but it is a good kind of tired.
I drove out to Jackson Park this AM to meet with our run group. Sarah ran, and I stayed with Connor. I was going to run a couple of miles with him in the stroller, but at 43 degrees, that was just a little too cold to have him out there. We had him out of the car long enough to take a picture. When it warms up later today, then we will go out. He is now officially the youngest member of the Watertown Area Run Club! Anybody can participate!
We all need to take the time to rest, and recover. Listen to your bodies. Even Dakota had to get in on all of the activities this weekend with Connor. She is part of the family too, she just has to learn to calm down a little. But Dakota and Connor get along great. So have a good week coming. Stay active, but take time to recover when you need too. Keep moving everybody!
The Fargo Marathon was Saturday, and Sarah and I ran it with our daughter Megan. This was her first, Sarah’s second, and number 17 for me. Megan realized how tough those last 6 miles really are! We all were having a tough day. My calf was tightening up, and all of us, were just overall tired, and we pushed our way to the finish line. We came in with a time of just over 4 hours and 46 minutes! The biggest thing is that “we”, and many of us from our Watertown Area Running Club, were in this together. “We” each ran it individually, but “we” all helped each other for this day. “We” trained for the last 4 months putting in the long runs, pushing each other. That continued at the actual race day as well. There were so many of us who had helped us train during this last 4 months that did not actually run the Marathon on Saturday, but they were with us. It is the true meaning of “teamwork”. All of us need help at times, and all of us provide help to others. Our run club has worked as a team for years. There is no “me”, but truly “we”!
We started our Friday going to the Fargodome to pick up packets and check out the expo. We were all anxious, nervous, and excited for the day to come. ” We” had all worked hard to get to this point, and “we” all had individual goals, and “we” were all helping each other get there!
This was a sign that greeted us when we walked in. Your someday is today! Here we go!
Here Sarah, Megan, and I are coming back into the dome down the final stretch to the finish line. Relief! We were almost there! “We” kept each other going, and pushing to the finish line. We had some segments after mile 18 where we were kind of splitting up, but after mile 23, we were basically back together, encouraging each other to “keep going”.
“We” made it together! “We” may have been individually running, each of us for “me”, but we made it across together, as “We”! Those who were already done, or who ran the half, were there cheering us on. Then we all waited a few minutes for Jill to come across, and cheer her on. If you have never run a marathon, there is no way to describe those last 6 miles unless you have actually done one. That feeling of total exhaustion, everything hurts, but you keep pushing each other to do it. Once you cross the finish, you look around, and you tell yourself you did it. But nobody does it alone. Our individual time is ours, yes, but the process of getting there is truly a team effort. That is also what makes our run club so special. We are always there for each other. Cheering! Pushing! Encouraging each other! I would not want it any other way! Good job everybody! Keep moving everybody!
I have been running for many years, starting back in Middle School. I started this mainly as a way to help me gain confidence, and to learn to stand up for myself. When you are one of the smallest kids in your class, and there are two of us (twins!), we were an easy target. I got tired of it, and running helped bring me out of my shell. It gave me confidence, strength, and belief in myself. As far as I was concerned, there is nothing more powerful than distance running for this. Everything in my life has been made better because of running, and I will continue it for as long as I can. Many people don’t think they can do it, or they are waiting for that perfect time to start.
Just like life, running has taught me how to handle things in my life better. And it truly has!
I learn something from every run. Every run is not a good run, don’t get me wrong. There are days when things are really tough. But, at least for my head, I have the ability to figure things out, and feel ready to take on the day much better. It is therapy, and medication rolled into one.
When things in life get tough, that is when I have to figure out how to be tougher. “Bring It On” is my mantra. I won’t be pushed around. I stand my ground. I believe in what I am doing, and have confidence to do it. That does not mean I am always right. I learn from my mistakes just like everybody else does. But it helps me get through the stress and pressure of medicine, and the fact that I not only have to take care of myself, but I have the lives of all of my patients to contend with as well. No easy task, let me tell you!
This is a perfect summary. It truly has taught me that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined. I have also made a lot of friends because of running, and they all feel the same way!
Every weekend we have a group of people…friends…who go for a long run. Many of us are training for a half marathon, or a marathon, coming up next weekend in Fargo. If you ever want a true challenge, sign up for a marathon. The marathon is a huge challenge, but the bigger challenge is training for it. The marathon run is one day, and the training can be anywhere from 4-6 months, and that is if you already have a good base of regular running to start with. I challenge anybody to do a marathon, and not be changed as a result of it. The only way you will truly know how is by doing one! I kid you not, there are times when you think you might die! What does not kill you, only makes you stronger! Have you heard this before?
This is why we keep coming back. This next weekend in Fargo will be marathon number 17 for me. I have learned something from every one. Sarah is running, and this will be her second, and for my daughter Megan, this will be her first. This is why I am running it. I want to run one with my kids. Sarah is running to keep an eye on me! We don’t care about the time we finish it in. The only thing we are achieving is completing it. “Bring It On”!
I told you, after some runs you feel like you might be dying! Her Paula is demonstrating this. But after a few minutes she popped right back up and wanted to know when the next run was going to be!!! Until you push yourself, you have no idea how far you can actually go!
My forever training partner. Sarah and I started dating our second year in medical school. I knew she ran too, and I always made it a point to run past her house in Vermillion. And when it was hot, of course, I did not wear a shirt! Before long, she was running with me, and the rest is history! Hee Hee! Things are getting stressful again at work with COVID, so the distance running is saving my mind anyway. So that reminds me, I need to go for a run!
Keep moving everybody, for both physical, and mental, well being!
