Tarver Trot

One of my daughters’ favorite day is the last Friday of the school year, and it’s called Tarver Trot.  This is where the entire school, parents, and the community participate in a two mile run.  Students are given color coded shirts to distinguish their grades and the race start times are 20 minutes apart.  Some parents and family members along with the city police officers block a few streets and direct traffic while cheering for the runners.  There are a few water stations on the way and a large crowd of parents, school staff, and of course the mascot, celebrating at the finish line.  This is a very exciting event for the kids.

I’ve had the joy of participating with my oldest daughter the past three years, however, this year, I have two daughters attending, which meant running the race twice.  My oldest is a runner so this was a simple task for her considering she completed her second 5K last weekend.  My youngest, however, she’s a kindergartner, and although she’s active, she had very little running training.  I had planned on starting our training a few weeks ago in warmer weather, but life events happened and mom’s unexpected open heart surgery prevented it as I spent 10-12 hours a day at the hospital.  Race day came and I felt out of shape and sluggish.  I am happy to report that I survived the two races and here is what I learned:

• The week leading up to the race, I complained and dreaded the moment, questioning whether I could complete four miles total, but once I started, there was no stopping me, I was on a mission with my girls.  I had it in me I just didn’t know it.  How many times do you psych yourself out way before you even start anything, cutting yourself short?

• I kept telling myself I was out of shape because I had not been to the gym as I normally do due to circumstances beyond my control.  I continued to feed myself negative emotions of doubt and fear of not keeping up with my girls but in reality, once I started running, even during my second run which was with my competitive runner, I was able to keep up and actually push her to keep going.  The more I ran the more energy I developed.  I could have ran a third one if I had to.  How often do you feed yourself the wrong emotions putting your doubts ahead of your capabilities and your strength?

• It’s all a mindset! I doubted myself even though I was well aware of what I am capable of doing.  When faced with “trying something new”, do you forget your accomplishments and focus on your weaknesses which paralyzes you and stops you from moving forward or even trying?

Next time you are pushed to try something old or new, get out of your head and do it.  Whether you’re in shape or not is not the problems, it’s what you tell yourself leading up to it, that’s the problem.  Once you start, the feeling is exhilarating and so rewarding, but you have to stop listening to the voices in your head and start doing.