Lace Up!

Running is in my blood.  I grew up with a dad that was a legendary track and cross country coach and I have many wonderful childhood memories of being a coach's daughter. There has always been a degree of comfort in lacing up my track shoes and hitting the roads.  However, I wouldn't say it comes easy for me and I most certainly haven't kept it as a consistent part of my life over the years.  Though, when I gain momentum and hit my stride....it feels somewhat magical.  My confidence gets a boost, my mood lifts, and the ideas start flowing.  

I had found that stride over the summer months and was feeling quite awesome.  Then...life happened.  The west coast fires hit and suddenly I was surrounded in all directions by a ring of fire. The air was suffocating and somehow it felt like I was breathing it in even when indoors.  

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I know.... I know.....
Excuses.
Excuses.
​Excuses.  ​

After what seems like forever, the fires were over and the air was clear once again.  It seems logical that I would lace up and hit the roads immediately.  However, that wasn't my reality.  I didn't lace back up and excuses became more excuses and before I knew it, I was going on month 3 of unlaced running shoes.

This past week, that all changed.  I hit my peak of frustration.  I was lethargic, unmotivated, and I'd had enough.  When voicing that frustration, a good friend said this to me... "There is zero you can do about the days you lost... start today." It was the wake up call I needed.  Later that week when chatting with my PLF in #XPLAP, I voiced the need to get back to it. My friend, Stefanie Crawford, sent me this tweet:

​This side conversation took on a life of it's own and before I knew it my friends were all chiming in with support. My new friend, Laurie Wong Roberts, started a Strava group called #EDUrunners and educators from across the Twittersphere started jumping on board. Click HERE to read an excellent post by my friend, Adam Powley, explaining in detail how it all happened. Sign up for Strava and join in too!

I am on day 4 of my running streak and I can feel the momentum beginning to build.  It is starting to become part of my routine.  However, it's not easy.  Today I woke up to rain and started second guessing getting out of my warm PJ's when I saw this post by co-author of Kids Deserve It, Adam Welcome:

It was what I needed to stop the excuses and lace up.  I bundled up and headed out.  I'm not gonna lie, the first mile I felt like stopping.  It hurt.  But, I kept thinking "I was able to get to 2 miles yesterday, I can do it again." I reached a mile and I felt like my breathing was more steady and I had hit my stride. Then I started thinking about my pace yesterday.  Could I run just a bit faster? Could I match yesterday's pace or maybe even come in a little faster?  Personally challenging myself, gave me the spring in my step I needed to pick up my pace and finish strong.  I knew there would be a community of educators keeping me accountable too.  I couldn't give less than my best effort.

As I completed my final stretch of the run, I thought about how this relates to so many aspects of life.  ​There is always going to be an excuse.  As Adam Welcome say's, "I run, but whatever you do just get out there and give it 100%, make it happen, it's up to you, no excuses!" I couldn't agree more. You've got to get after your goals and make it happen.  Get out there. Find people who support you.  Lace up everyday rain or shine.  You'll gain momentum; you'll find your stride.  Then, when life happens (because it always does) as my friend reminded me, "There is zero you can do about the days lost...start now! GET AFTER IT!

​If you don't follow Adam Welcome...do it now! He is the co-author of the amazing book, Kids Deserve It, and his book, Run Like a Pirate, will be published by Dave Burgess Consulting in early Summer 2018.  #RUNlap fever is sweeping the country.  Follow the hashtag and be inspired daily by Adam and other educators getting after their goals!