When my son and I got out of the car at 4:45 a.m., it felt like we were stuffed under a tongue. I knew today’s workout would be difficult. For once in my life, I was right.
I was sweating profusely during warm-ups.
Oh Hell.
Literally. It was nearly 80 degrees at 5 a.m. The humidity was like syrup. New flash: I don’t cool down efficiently. My inability to sweat enough made today struggle. So by the time I got to the pushing the bags across the field, I sucked. Big time.
I was gasping like a catfish on a dock.
I ran off the field today a little discouraged. After 8-weeks, I should have done better than THAT. I guess it would have been easy to beat myself up after today’s lackluster performance. But I didn’t. I changed my self-talk. I told myself that I made it through the workout. I pushed myself and I will get better. Tomorrow will be better and the day after that will be, too.
How many times do we self-sabotage ourselves by the narrative in our heads? If you’re like me, way too many times. I caught myself this weekend being very negative. I sat down that evening and vowed to change what I say to myself. The next day, as I was running up the Biloxi Bay bridge, I kept saying, “You’ve got this. Take it one step at a time.”
Times are tough. I see people claiming to be victims every single day. While I have sympathy for those who truly are, I don’t for the rest (and this includes many politicians.) I refuse to be a victim. I refuse to lie down when I have a bad day. I don’t need people telling me I need to because things are unfair. No kidding. Of course things are unfair. Not sure life ever has been.
So I’ll keep pushing. Failing and getting back up.
Yes, I’ll sweat. A lot. But I’ll keep going. This morning was a not-so-subtle reminder of why I need to.