Wednesday, January 4, 2012

One Mile

I am sorry, I hate this time of year.  I hate that we all spend all this time writing down our "goals"...  it's insanity.  I decided on 12/28/11 that I would just start my 2012 "goals" right then.

Why wait?

I have some goals.  They're SMART.  Specific, measurable, a...something that starts with a, r... something that starts with r, and time specific.  OK, clearly they're not that smart.

They're not that interesting though.  And they're not that relevant to everyone else in the world today.  However, on my 2012 list is my new mantra.


I love having a mantra.

I love Respect The Distance so much that I'm considering getting it tattoo'd on my body.  Because it really doesn't matter how far you're running, or if you're running at all.  Are you in school?  Motherhood?  A sucktastic beige minivan?  Are you racing a marathon?  Are you racing a 4m run in 100 degree heat and 80% humidity ~  damn straight you better respect that distance.  13.1?  50K?  5K?  Every distance deserves respect, no matter how short or long, real or imagined.  The day you don't respect the distance is the day you will fall on your face.  I could share a story here, but I'm not going to....(shudder).

Galactically Bada** became my mantra at mile 23.5 of a marathon.  I said it once, and it instantly became my mantra for the rest of the year, and the rest of the year after that one.  Some things just stick.

Don't tackle the red shirts is one of those things that wasn't funny at all, until one day it was hilarious.


So while the rest of the world is worrying about what goals they will lay down for 2012, how they'll achieve them, what they'll do to make the year's worth of goals attainable, etc.  I've decided to just try a new mantra.

Take it one mile at a time.

Whether it's nursing school, foot pain, training plans, core workouts, drills, cleaning my house, choosing healthy foods, or actually running a mile, my goal is to try not to get caught up too much in what lies before me, or what's left behind me, and instead to just worry about the moment I'm in.

~savor the run~

9 comments:

MCM Mama said...

Mine has always been "one step at a time". Figure out the first step. Do it. Then move on to the next.

One mile of a time is an excellent way to keep stress (and feelings of being overwhelmed) under control.

Of course, GBA is still my favorite. ;o)

fancy nancy said...

Perfect! I worry so much about the big picture down the road that I fail to count the steps along the way! One mile!

carrie said...

Amen!

Ewa said...

Good post. Focusing too much on a big goal ahead can be very discouraging. I bet when they built pyramids, they did it one stone at a time. :)

Jen Feeny said...

You know I am all over this thought right now...

Michelle said...

I started my "goals" on 12/28 also! I hate resolutions on January 1st....if you have to wait to start, then what's the point?
My husband has a phrase, "If you've got one leg in yesterday and one leg in tomorrow, then you are pissing on today." (He's cool and eloquent like that!)

Char said...

I'm with you on the goal-writing deadline. Who said that it had to happen by the stroke of midnight on the last day of the year. Every day is a chance to set and achieve goals. Every day gives us opportunities to tweak our lifestyle.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

You are such a great writer!

I set goals all year long. Then I adjust them and reset them and rethink them and get talked into more of them...

Canuck Mom said...

I agree one mile at a time. I have goals set, but I am not going to freak out if they do not fall into place. I am just going to go with what is set in front of me, just like I do when I am out there running. Great post!! How is nursing school going by the way? If you ever need advice give me a shout I have been in this career for 13 1/2 years and am back in school now going further in it. Love it!!