What I tell myself when I jog
Today felt unproductive.
There weren’t any customers at the salon and so I’ve decided to close for the day and head out for a jog.
I arrived at the National Stadium, roughly around 4.30pm. The guys at the naming department should have tried harder than “The Promenade” as it is everything but leisure. There are no scenes of couples frolicking along the bay in the reddish glow of sunset.
In reality, it draws a disappointing contrast; a monotonous, identical loop all round. The perimeter of the entire stadium is about 800 meters, encircled with three bands of red, blue and green painted tracks.
The air smells salty, like a little mix of sweat and probably tears of regret.
Today I firmly make a stand to jog longer than before.
My main objective is to clock 20 minutes at a steady pace OR rush for four rounds and push myself for another 200 meters.
Thanks to Darren Hardy for his practical advice, I came to believe that any improvement in our personal well being can have a ‘butterfly effect’ on other aspects of our life. Whenever the day doesn’t turn out right, I keep returning to this message and not let the remaining day go to waste.
The mandatory ‘limber up’.
I walked around, stretching myself as I proceed to the start point. At the same time, I take in a couple of deep breaths and visualized myself having completed the fourth round of jog. Visualization works for me, and I needed to frame that mental image before I do it.
Kind of like sharpening the ax before we chop down our obstacles.
‘Limber up’ is about getting my mind and body attuned to one another. This preparation takes about 10 minutes.
Get on it
The air was sweltering hot and the high humidity seems to conspire with the evening January sun.
My stopwatch beeped, indicating that 12 minutes have passed. I can feel my mind resisting my every step. The all too familiar voice is working its way to persuade me to stop and my legs felt heavier with each step as the lethargy grows.
I knew that when I resist, it takes my attention away from the objective. What works for me is to embrace the pain and let my body feel it.
That’s right.
I let my brains scream at me for a while, and focused on that image of me reaching the end.
I listen to my breathing and keep it in sync with my pace. These are healthy distractions which allow me to focus and reduce the growing protest in my mind.
Look at your situation from a “third perspective”.
This is one of the best methods which I often use when things get all crazy and whenever I begin wondering why I set myself on this.
Difficulties and desperation have a way to make us doubt everything in front of us.
I try to see things from an angle that the outsiders see my situation. You can use those close in your heart; God, your girlfriend or your cat.
If they see me giving my best, don’t they think that they are proud that I follow this through?
The key here is to take the attention off from yourself and get busy to not let your loved ones down.
Distraction is essential in the long run.
I managed to complete four rounds. I finished my jog and bought two cans of coffee at the vending machine while I slink down on the bench and call it a day.
For what it’s worth, today is the many small steps to a better tomorrow.