I am ______
How do you define yourself? Does it get you through a tough workout or stress filled day. When I started being consistent with eating healthy and getting in a workout I always had some mental sayings to help me. I always said if you workout and eat like an athlete maybe someday I will actually look like an athlete. Then I started with a couple fun runs and got the itch to do a marathon. Then it was if I eat like an athlete train like an athlete look like an athlete maybe just maybe I can perform like an athlete. Can a regular joe transform into an athlete? What do you think? I bet you define yourself differently today then you did when you picked up your fitness endeavors. Striving to be an athlete helps my mental game. When I am on a run and my pace starts to slow a good mental talk can make a world of difference. So next time you are trying to stay on top of the game give yourself some mental mojo. This will be different for all of us wither it be athlete, fitness freak, figure competitor, fitness guru, champion, body builder, or trainer. The mind is a powerful tool and I believe at one point or another it can be more important then your physical ability. I have been thinking a lot about this since Matt called me an athlete. I will never forget that it has had me smiling all week to know that he looks at me that way. I thought of most of this while out on a run yesterday. I hope it helps you push hard for another day. Words are powerful exercise your mind!
posted by Mari at 8:59 AM
14 Comments:
In response to your comment on my blog, no, I didn't make the cake. I'm not talented, like you, in that department. I can make a cake and it tastes great, but as far as decorating goes, I've never really done anything fancy.
I love your post. Really makes you think.
Actually Mari, what you said about regular Joes is true.
Someone who's name I forget, won the London Marathon in 2004, or came top 3, and she made the British Olympic team, after only taking running up seriously, 12 months previously.
I think she'd done some sort of Marathon qualifier, which entitled her to be running at the top end of the field, as usually, the worlds best start, then some time later the regular club runners, and finally the fun runners.
So yes, a regular person can be an athlete. Human biology is a wonderful thing in it's ability to transform like that, when challenged regularly, in the right ways.
You proved that with your du-athlon, which wasn't a full blown du-athlon, but I certainly believe you did something more difficult and skillful to master, than a Marathon, plus you need a slightly different physique, and I remember I think you finished 3rd on your swim section, so for the increased difficulty, and skill factor compared to running, you to me, deserve to be called an athlete.
Anyone who runs a 5k for example or even a marathon can be proud of themselves, but I think it doesn't necessarily qualify you to be an athlete, or people in Chicken suits running 6 hour times, could say they were athletes, and people in their 70's with less than 10 years exercise background. I think you have to have some sort of cut off point, I think.
The other problem with Marathons is, can you say one person finishing in 3 hrs 30 or less is or becomes an athlete, 3hrs 31 isn't, I think it's not that easy to differentiate like that.
However you in my eyes, deserved that title and if you did a couple more Du-athlons and then stopped, you could still say in years from now, you were a "former athlete."
You have a right to proud of what you did, a right to call yourself an Athlete, and GOOD LUCK to you.
You're doing all the right things here, to make your lifestyle work, so KEEP IT UP.
You're a genuine shining star
:-) :-).
Matt
I love this post Mari. I definitely see myself differently than I did when I first started working out, although, I haven't looked at myself as an "athlete" since high school when I was in sports (and still don't). I do however see myself as healthy and active. I was reading about this in BFFM, about how what you're thinking can be more important than what you're doing. If you're always thinking "I AM AN ATHLETE" and truly believing it, your body will follow. I need to work on this, thanks for this bost, beautiful! :-)
...for this POST, not bost...man it's gonna be a long day...
The biggest part of what you're saying is to think positive thoughts. Sometimes when I get off on the wrong track, I tell myself I'm things and those things are not good. I need to remind myself that I'm an athlete too.
That reminds me of one time in high school I walked through the kitchen to go upstairs to change and a cigarette fell out of my shorts and my dad found it. It was beginning of summer right before heading to Michigan Tech to play football. My dad came up into my room to lecture me. He said "athletes" don't smoke. I don't think it really made a difference at that point, but it has stuck with me throughout my life.
Great post!
Great post!!!
Agreed, great post. Very well said. I love how Matt made you feel, and how powerful you feel because of it.
It's true. You are an athlete!
Mari, this is a brilliant post!!! I'm printing it out and keeping it with my workout journal. I'll get back to you on what I am (but sometimes in my mind I become a sexy latin dancer and it helps me get through my workouts!).
xo, Rachel
Fantastic Post...wish I read it this AM.. I was needing something INSPIRING like this! I'll letcha know tommorow "who I am" ;)
Oh my gosh...your daughter is SOOOO adorable. You are awesome to run that much! I can't even run a mile yet!!!!
Exellent post Mari ....
Looking at you know, I had always assumed you were a ifted athlete.
Great post! I've thought of something similar. I've never been an athlete and didn't even consider being one until BFL. But it's a great thought and definitely motivational.
I am with you on the motivated words...you have such strength! :)
I always say "I choose to feel good now" in good moments and in bad. It keeps me from getting disgruntled!
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