On June 22, I crossed the finish line with my best marathon time yet. If you look at my finish line picture, you see joy, excitement, and pride.  What you don’t see is the past 6 months of:

• Running in the sub-zero wind chill, rain, and extreme humidity
• My phone/watch/ipod instantly dying when out for said-subzero run
• Rearranging schedules to fit in a training run
• Hitting the pavement when most of the world was still asleep
• Exhaustion at the end of the day
• Spending the morning of every spring holiday – Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day – on the road doing a 20 mile training run
• ALL THE LAUNDRY!
• Full-fledged adult tantrums on “Interval Tuesday” when I didn’t think I had the energy, mindset, or umph to meet pace.  (And, I just didn’t want to.)

In 2018, I trained for 2 marathons but unfortunately, for each, after the 20 mile training run, I got injured and couldn’t participate in the races.  I signed up for the November 2019 New York Marathon in January and I knew I had to train smart.  But I also knew I couldn’t do it alone.

So in January, I hired a coach.

Yes, I am a coach.  But knowing more isn’t always a good thing.

Working with a coach was everything that I was expecting, but nothing that I anticipated.

Expected

• He created a training plan that included intervals, long runs, recovery runs, and rest days.
• He expected “proof” after each completed workout.
• He was available to answer any concerns or questions.

Didn’t Anticipate

• My ego was enraged. On the recovery run days, the training plan required a slow controlled pace.  I struggled.  My ego was telling me that I can run faster than that.
• Head trash. Whoa – the amount of head trash that came out was obscene.  Uncertainty, fear, discouragement.

True wellness comes from mindset.

Most of us think that wellness is eating nutritious food and moving our bodies on a daily basis.  However, true wellness comes from way more than just diet and exercise.

Like many things, you have to approach wellness as a marathon, not a sprint. There are no shortcuts, especially in creating sustainable, long lasting results (in losing weight and positive body changes) and you’ve got to be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared to play the “long game”.

According to author and researcher Carol Dwerk “Mindset change is not about picking up a few pointers here and there. It’s about seeing things in a new way.”

My coach helped me see things in a new way.

Coaching is more than creating a training plan.

Coaching is helping over-thinkers get out of their own heads so they can take action.

Coaching is about having an accountability partner who will support and encourage you even when you feel ready to quit.

With the help of my coach, I was able to change the narrative that was playing in my head:

• Lose the excuses: There will always be a time issue, family commitments, work commitments, aches and pains, bad weather, head trash.
• Acknowledge your imperfections: We aren’t perfect. Fess up that you are human, get out of your head, and take ownership. Move on.
• Stop fearing failure: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
• There’s no such thing as a mistake: It’s called an experiment. Don’t avoid obstacles. Head straight into them with full force. Remember, growth is a constant reinventing, resetting, and refreshing.
• Accept feedback with a growth mindset: Feedback is how we grow. Consider it, try it, grow from it.

Once I changed the negative narrative in my head, everything shifted. Don’t get me wrong, the head trash was still there.  But they are just thoughts.  And just because they are thoughts, doesn’t mean they are true or that I have to act on them.

I’ve got better things to do.  Like run a marathon.

Do you need to make a change with the narrative that is currently playing in your head?

Where are you at with your goals? What is holding you back?

Maybe it is time for someone to help you during your wellness journey.  If you are ready to make a change, I am here to help.  Click on the contact me button above and let’s chat.