I recently took on the challenge to train for a 10km race. With my level of fitness at zero I had to start at the beginning. In the past three weeks my body has been pushed, punished and trained and has shown me the ability of the human body to adjust and improve its strength.
Most importantly, I realised the human body’s struggle to control our power of thought. Each new distance, speed or hill I had to take to created a battle of confidence within myself to prove to myself that I could positively do it!
Getting mentally focussed was and is still indeed the biggest struggle for me.
My first 5km race took the worst of me – after only one week of training my mind was so corrupted with negative thoughts and a lack of confidence in myself that each and every step I took was a mission in itself. I was mentally exhausted after that race. I realise the fact that I felt unprepared, unfit and underdressed from all the professional runners next to me played a huge role in my way of thought. I was doomed for failure. Despite giving myself an unnecessary hard time I still finished within 32 minutes, just as I knew I would, eventually.
I could have prepared myself more physically but if I am not mentally focussed I cannot physically perform to my best ability. I have since increased my training and gained confidence in my running. Each day I am getting closer to that 10km goal. A goal not only to complete the race but also to be able to do each step of the race with full physical and mental power!
I will take on my next 5km challenge on the 10th of April at the SPAR Women’s race in Bellville.
Exciting. I miss running. The first 3 weeks of training is always the hardest. I believe that if you get through the first month of training you will automatically become more positive.
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring!! See you at the race! :)
ReplyDelete