This Rookie’s Ramblings is a weekly blog sponsored by RunVermont and the Green Mountain Running Medicine Shop column written by one Vermont resident training for the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon. The 2013 Rookie will be selected from a pool of 5 finalists. We’re posting one entry a day through Tuesday, January 22. Cast your vote for your favorite Rookie beginning Wednesday, January 24 on our Facebook page.
Just Start.
The hardest step for me is the first one.
How do I begin? Isn’t this [process, project, goal, giant to-do list, etc] intimidating? What piece should I tackle first? How do I get out the door? I’m too [insert inadequacy adjective here] to do this. Ahhhhhh!
The first step for me is tinged with doubt, fear and worry.
But. The first step is also filled with excitement and anticipation. I am on the edge of something that could be miraculous! This [process, project, goal, giant to-do list, etc] could be life changing!
How can I embrace the uncertainty and grasp this excitement? How do I focus on the miraculous instead of (what is sure to be) impending doom?
I turn my first-step doubts and fears right on their heels.
I know it’s not going to be perfect, or pretty at the start (or maybe ever!); I let all the expectations, inadequate thoughts and pressure fade into the distance and allow myself to… Just… Start. I have found that when perfection isn’t hanging over my head, the process is more manageable, and sometimes, oftentimes, even enjoyable.
This is how I became a runner. By repeating, “Just start, just start, just start” over and over and over in my head.
Just start gets me out the door. Just start takes the pressure off. Just start dissolves all fears and doubts and allows me to GO.
And you know what? It isn’t a perfect system. The inner battle between marathon training and marathon TV watching is fierce. But I know myself, and getting out the door is the hardest part. Just start transforms into “just finish,” and before I know it, I’m done.
Just start is transformative.
Just start got me up off the couch and through many awkward “where did all of this weight come from?” runs.
Just start helped me finish many sloooow races.
Just start pushed me through a half marathon, and then another, and another.
Just start is how I will complete the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon, my very first.
If I can do it, you can do it.
Just start.
How did you just start? Do you find mantras helpful too?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Inspirational!!
Have fun!!