Don't be afraid to "big" yourself up a bit every now and again!
Don't be afraid to "big" yourself up a bit every now and again!
It's funny that some people spend the majority of their time in their living room staring at a flickering box in the corner. For me, this isn't really ‘living'. You can't do your living in one room through a TV set! Running is great because it makes you realise you are alive! Simply being out there and running, being one of life's doers who gets up off the sofa and makes something of themselves is an attitude we all have in common! As women runners we should all celebrate the fact that we run, we should pat ourselves on the back more often and share with each our achievements. It's not bragging or being arrogant. It's recognising that we're all doing something proactive and positive towards our physical and mental health and wellbeing. Just take a look at the journals section on the Forum, it's full of like minded women sharing their running stories, the highs and lows and supporting each other. No wonder it's such a popular place to post! Don't be afraid to celebrate your personal achievements no matter how small or insignificant you think they are. Remember you are actually out there, really living through your running, most women only dream about achieving what you can do!
It is quite natural after a running event to ask others how they found it, how they got on, or if they were pleased with their run. How many times do you think I hear a positive response? Hardly ever. I hear moans and groans, excuses, and usually fairly negative answers. Even the positive comments are wrapped up in a negative, “it's the first time I have run without stopping, but my time was so slow”. Why can't we say, “Yes I had a great run, I ran all the way round without stopping for the first time!”
Men are much better at being proud of themselves and saying what they have done well. As women we almost go the opposite way so we can not possibly be seen as arrogant. Don't confuse being big headed with being full of self worth and having a positive self image. A person who is arrogant may exaggerate their own worth or importance in an overbearing manner, but a subtle celebration of our achievement is both important and very necessary to help us feel good about ourselves.
Pull out the positive.
When we have done a race, a run, a training session, if you look you will always be able to pull out the positive. Draw on positives and create a positive aura around you. It catches on! Just as a negative aura can spread too. How many times have you initially been pleased with your run and someone says ‘oh never mind'. You start to question your initial feelings and all of a sudden you are focused on the negatives. Or maybe you're excited to tell someone about a good run, but you politely ask them first…they whine on, and then they come to ask you and you ran. You feel so bad for them you just think “oh, you know, ok”. The positive vibes get sucked away.
Positive energy and emotion disrupts downwards spirals. By amplifying strengths people are more ready to problem solve and seek the positives to make good moves forward in their running. It's good to feel good! Positive energy can increase your ability, build your resiliance, and offset negatives. This creates a positive upward spiral helping you to be more motivated and energetic in your running. Share your positives with those around and watch how they become more energised too!
Run smart - Liz
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Cannot agree more with the sentiments in this article. We are always so quick to take criticism and let it make us feel down, especially as women when we're maybe trying to work, keep the home running and find time for a run. I know I am guilty of often feeling after a run that I could have done better, instead of saying to myself that hey, I got out there and ran, doesn't matter if it was slow/not long enough!
Come on girls, we're all brilliant - we should celebrate that we are off that sofa and exercising when so many people moan about life!!
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