Saturday, March 27, 2010

You Reap What you Sow


I did it again! I ran the 10k!

Last year was my first time (See “You Go Girl!”), and it was hard, but I knew I’d run this year, too.

Was it fun? Hmmm…

I had a slight case of nerves when I started.
My legs felt heavy for a few minutes.
I had to weave in and out of slower people because of my wish to improve my time over last year’s time.
I had to tell myself not to stop - several times; especially when running on an incline. (The inclines were so, so little, but still, it felt like little mountains.)
And, I had to get rid of negative thoughts – wondering why my lungs didn’t work as well as the person who zoomed past me.

But, before all of that, it was ten weeks of training. I met the team most of the ten Saturday mornings, and followed the training schedule during the week days.

I was prepared, and I did well.

Last year, my time was 1 hour and 25 minutes, and I was very happy to finish the race, but this year was my challenge to improve. My time was 1 hour and 4 minutes. What I’d put into it, determined what I got out of it.

So again, was it fun? Yes, it was…although I would say, “highly satisfying” describes it better.

Now if I can only apply the principle of positive “sowing and reaping” to some other old and dusty goals.

Do you believe hard work results in achieving your goals?
Are there situations that never get “fixed” regardless of how hard you work at it?
(Any areas of life: health, finances, hobbies, household chores, education, careers, businesses, phobias, time spent with family, sports, habits…)

26 comments:

Robin said...

OMG...that's is fantastic...Hooray for you...and I don't really know too much about times and all..but your time was amazing..like Olympic or something.."You go girl"..Again..!!..and yes hard work pays off..if not for an end result, then for the self satisfaction and accomplishment you derive from it..!

yonca said...

You did it!!! That is awesome! And I so agree... hard work definitely pays off! Plus, thinking positive about my goal/goals.Have a great weekend Anita!!

One Photo said...

That's really very good for only your second ever 10K race, you must have been working very hard. Congratulations! You have truly demonstrated that hard work does pay off, mixed with some determination and ability to succeed.

Have a relaxing Sunday recovering!

Stephanie said...

Wow! I am so so impressed!! You are a rockstar! Congrats Anita:)

Bernie said...

Congraulations, taking 24 minutes off your time is great.
I know I sure could use some of your discipline.....:-) Hugs

Annie Z said...

Congratulations Anita, that's FANTASTIC!!! Your hard work paid off brilliantly.

Mostly, I do believe hard work pays off, but there are the occasional times, when no matter how hard you try, you don't get where you are trying to go. But in those cases, maybe it is not the goal that that is important. Maybe it is all the lessons that we learn along the way.

Betty W said...

Wow! Congrats on finishing! That is such an accomplishment and you should really be proud.
I´m not a runner, but my daughter is and I know how good she feels after a marathon.
Have a great Sunday and rest!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I bow to your effort and your success, Anita! It's an accomplishment of ENORMOUS proportions - just ask anyone who can't do it!!!!

I'm very proud of you!

In answer to your first question: Not always. I'm old enough to know that. :)

Chapters From My Life said...

Congratulations for the achievement. You must be really proud of what you did.
My motto of life has always been... Believe in luck but depend on hardwork. I don't know when the I made that up but as long as I have known myself I have stuck by that motto and it does pay.

Anonymous said...

Great job!! That's good time and such satisfaction for you.

Joanne said...

Raising my coffee cup in a congratulations toast to you! My thought has always been that anything in life worthwhile, anything, always takes dedicated work. And it's so worth it in the end.

Abby said...

Way to go - and you did go, girl! Nice finish, I'm proud of you!

I feel it's important to have goals. Even if we don't fully achieve them, just the steps taken in trying to achieve them make us better.

Hilary said...

Congratulations! And what a fantastic time. Are you ready to lace up for the next one?

Dori said...

Whoo hoo! Well done, you! And it was down right COLD yesterday morning too! Are you running the 10k for the Children's Hospital in the summer?

So...now you and family need to get out and do the "Little-Big Adventure" (I know, shameless plug!) But it's a fantastic day--and you get to race with your girls!

gayle said...

Congrat!! You have done something that I know I could never do!! You should feel very proud!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!!! Im so happy for you that you improved your time and have the drive to do one of those things!

Well done!!!

diney said...

wow. well done. I couldn't do that, though I do0 go to the gym 3 times a week, but don't like running (boring back). I believe that we all need goals in life, or it is wasted opportunity and we only have one shot at it. Really trying for something doesn't necessarily result in success, but it makes you stronger and ready to be fired up and try again - well that's how i feel anyway! We are all different - thankfully!

Anita said...

Hey EVERYONE! Thanks for all the congrats, your personal stories, and all the words of wisdom. Yes, the journey "is" just as important.
HILARY & DORI - I would love to WANT to do another one. If I get to that point, then I'll think about how to accomplish it. :)

FOLLOWERS AND READERS,KEEP WORKING ON YOUR GOALS.

MORE COMMENTS???

Candee Fick said...

Congratulations on completing your race and your goal to finish in a faster time.

I used to run long distances and I remember the feeling of finishing. "I'm so glad to be done and not quite sure I ever want to do that again." Hmm. Kinda like giving birth. Give it time and you might be willing to try again. ;)

As to other dreams, you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other, step by step, and slowly you'll see progress. Especially if you have a training partner to keep you accountible.

Rebecca S. said...

Congrats, Anita! And 1 hour 4 minutes is a very respectable time, too! I know there is a world of difference between running a 10k on your own or with a couple of friends, and running one as a 'race' for your personal best in a crowd of people. You really have to stick with your goal and what you have learned in training to be successful - I guess that applies to most areas of life, too: keep your eye on the prize and have faith in all the work you've done to get there.

Claire Gibson King said...

So A W E S O M E!!!!!! Way to go Anita! I ran my first race last year, a 5K and was so nervous and thought that I could not ever do such a thing. It turned out to be way easier than any gym workout and I was on cloud nine for days because I actually DID it!! I really need to find another race to run. You must feel like such a star!!!! Yeah for you!!!!

Jen said...

Way to go! You going to try a half marathon?

Cathy said...

Hello Anita
Good on you for bettering your time - now your PB is lower than before there'll be no holding you back.
Yes its what goes into it that matters - wish I didn't keep putting all that food into my mouth lol
Seriously tho - maybe you could aim for a half marathon - if you think of it as a 10k there and then a 10k back plus a little more it doesn't seem so long - or at least thats how one of my girls describes it to me.
Take care
Cathy

Anita said...

Thanks CANDEE...you always have sound advice. :)

REBECCA - I should try to capitalize off of the thrill and get to work right away on another goal...which one will it be? :)

CLAIRE - you are such a good cheerleader! I will contact you for motivation if I do it again. :)
You SHOULD find another race and run it - to experience that "cloud" again.

JEN - thanks! I don't see the half marathon in my future, but one never knows! Maybe you'll inspire me to try. :)

Oh CATHY, "Just" a couple of 10k runs...Hmmm.... LOL
I like your food analogy. :)

MORE COMMENTS?

Menopausal New Mom said...

Anita, that's awesome!! What a gal! You're an inspiration, hell I thought I was doing well working in that VHS workout 4 or 5 days a week :)

Well done!

Unknown said...

Wow Anita........good job. I'm not a runner, heck I'm barely a walker for exercise, but I really do admire your goal setting.
I've been absent much lately, forgive me.