A complete year.
I did run on New Year's Eve last year but I've never really counted that. But whichever way you look at it, I have now run at least a mile on every single day of 2010. A cause for celebration I feel.
So, how have I celebrated it so far?
I ran just over 5 miles this morning, which is the furthest I have run since I don't know when. And it was absolutely fantastic.
My thought on this morning's run was that I always have a choice. I can choose possibility or I can choose being right at someone else's expense.
If you add up how many times I choose possibility over being right, I am still somewhat lacking in the good column, but it is always a choice.
I also think that if I make an effort to consciously choose possibility at the beginning of a conversation, a meeting, a day, a month or even a year, then I have more of a chance of success. Not guaranteed, but better odds.
So, for 2011 I choose possibility.
I'm intrigued to know how I do in choosing it and what difference it makes to my life.
Bye 2010. It was nice knowing you.
Friday 31 December 2010
Wednesday 29 December 2010
It's just a line
With only two more runs to complete a year of running at least a mile every day for a year, my mind seems to be focused on the achievement of the goal.
While I was in the shower this morning I thought of my finish line of achieving my goal, completing my 365th consecutive daily run of a mile or so, and I realised that it isn't a finish line, it's just a line.
Isn't that actually true of all goals and objectives? When you have reached your target in the past, can you remember a time when you then thought, "That's it now. I have no other target to aim for, no ambition, no vision or objective"?
My guess is that when you reach that point, you have pretty much given up on life and are preparing for the downhill drift into oblivion. Blimey, that sounds a bit dramatic, but at least I know what I mean.
Part of the fun of life is to have challenges, goals, targets, objectives and especially inspiring visions to aim for.
So while I can enjoy my self-created game of trying to complete a mile of running every day and feeling like I'm about to cross the finish line, once I get across it I know I'll be aiming for the next line with excitement.
Don't get me wrong, I'll celebrate crossing the line in two days and I will thoroughly enjoy the achievement, but it will be time to change the game for more fun and capers.
While I was in the shower this morning I thought of my finish line of achieving my goal, completing my 365th consecutive daily run of a mile or so, and I realised that it isn't a finish line, it's just a line.
Isn't that actually true of all goals and objectives? When you have reached your target in the past, can you remember a time when you then thought, "That's it now. I have no other target to aim for, no ambition, no vision or objective"?
My guess is that when you reach that point, you have pretty much given up on life and are preparing for the downhill drift into oblivion. Blimey, that sounds a bit dramatic, but at least I know what I mean.
Part of the fun of life is to have challenges, goals, targets, objectives and especially inspiring visions to aim for.
So while I can enjoy my self-created game of trying to complete a mile of running every day and feeling like I'm about to cross the finish line, once I get across it I know I'll be aiming for the next line with excitement.
Don't get me wrong, I'll celebrate crossing the line in two days and I will thoroughly enjoy the achievement, but it will be time to change the game for more fun and capers.
Wednesday 22 December 2010
Thoughts on achievement
Nine days left to complete the full house of running a mile each day of 2010.
As I suspected, the elements have reconfirmed my belief that when you get close to achieving a goal, your commitment does tend to get tested that little bit more. It's good for the character to dig in and plough on through.
What I like about this goal is that it is purely about a sense of achievement. Goals that involve material possessions often fade into insignificance once you have achieved them, and you're on to the next one. Non material achievements generally have staying power.
I can still remember winning the 100 yards, 220 yards (showing my age I know) and triple jump at school sports day when I was 12, and completing my first marathon in 1988. I also clearly remember the birth of all three of my children.
Anyway, I haven't achieved the year yet, and it's always worth remembering that nothing in this world is guaranteed, apart from death and taxes so they say.
So, time to stop dwelling on the achievement that I haven't yet achieved and to put my energy and my presence back into today, which is definitely here now.
As I suspected, the elements have reconfirmed my belief that when you get close to achieving a goal, your commitment does tend to get tested that little bit more. It's good for the character to dig in and plough on through.
What I like about this goal is that it is purely about a sense of achievement. Goals that involve material possessions often fade into insignificance once you have achieved them, and you're on to the next one. Non material achievements generally have staying power.
I can still remember winning the 100 yards, 220 yards (showing my age I know) and triple jump at school sports day when I was 12, and completing my first marathon in 1988. I also clearly remember the birth of all three of my children.
Anyway, I haven't achieved the year yet, and it's always worth remembering that nothing in this world is guaranteed, apart from death and taxes so they say.
So, time to stop dwelling on the achievement that I haven't yet achieved and to put my energy and my presence back into today, which is definitely here now.
Friday 10 December 2010
All that glitters...
at the moment, is probably ice!
When you've had snow, like we've had in sunny(?) Tunny Wells, there are three phases of weather conditions.
The first is always the snowfall, which can be quite light and at other times, like recently, can be varying degrees of heavy. I really enjoy running in this phase, although I have learned that long running tracksters are preferrable to shorts when the snow is deeper than your ankles. There is that magical feel of the white, white world, the crunch under foot and the world is beautiful.
I also love how people change personalities in heavy snow conditions. People stop trying to achieve at all costs, and start to open their eyes and minds to what's going on around them, and start talking to each other, even offering to help each other, which is fabulous.
If you've been one of those people who has had to spend the night in an unheated train or stuck in your car, trying to get home in heavy snow, I quite understand that you may well have a different perspective on the gift of a heavy snowstorm, and I quite understand.
The second or third phases of snow are interchangeable. Once the snow is on the ground, temperatures can then rise fairly quickly, and you go into the slushy phase. This isn't quite as fun for me. Everyone puts their community spirit back in the cupboard with the sledges, and cranks up the "strive at all costs" -ometer.
From a running perspective, soggy, cold socks and feet are not quite so magical as the white winter wonderland.
The third phase, which can often be the second phase, like it is now, is when the snow stops, but the temperatures remain cold or even get colder and the snow on the pavements and seldom-used roads compacts into ice. This is where we are now.
This morning I ran late, well after daylight, so it was challenging but fairly easy to choose my footing, although a lot easier when I stay away from my usual routes that are a little off the beaten track.
However, running in the dark, albeit with a headtorch, in these conditions, can require concentration, and anything that is dark, shiny and glittery usually indicates a severe health hazard unless you are wearing skates rather than trainers.
What I find interesting is that as I get closer to my biggest goal of my run a mile every day experiment (the goal changed from 1 month, gradually to a whole year), new challenges crop up to test me.
In the past I may well have caved in and thought that this isn't meant to be, and I should stop resisting. But my attitude has changed.
I now see these tests as opportunities to stretch myself, come further out of my comfort zone, and enjoy the challenge!
When you've had snow, like we've had in sunny(?) Tunny Wells, there are three phases of weather conditions.
The first is always the snowfall, which can be quite light and at other times, like recently, can be varying degrees of heavy. I really enjoy running in this phase, although I have learned that long running tracksters are preferrable to shorts when the snow is deeper than your ankles. There is that magical feel of the white, white world, the crunch under foot and the world is beautiful.
I also love how people change personalities in heavy snow conditions. People stop trying to achieve at all costs, and start to open their eyes and minds to what's going on around them, and start talking to each other, even offering to help each other, which is fabulous.
If you've been one of those people who has had to spend the night in an unheated train or stuck in your car, trying to get home in heavy snow, I quite understand that you may well have a different perspective on the gift of a heavy snowstorm, and I quite understand.
The second or third phases of snow are interchangeable. Once the snow is on the ground, temperatures can then rise fairly quickly, and you go into the slushy phase. This isn't quite as fun for me. Everyone puts their community spirit back in the cupboard with the sledges, and cranks up the "strive at all costs" -ometer.
From a running perspective, soggy, cold socks and feet are not quite so magical as the white winter wonderland.
The third phase, which can often be the second phase, like it is now, is when the snow stops, but the temperatures remain cold or even get colder and the snow on the pavements and seldom-used roads compacts into ice. This is where we are now.
This morning I ran late, well after daylight, so it was challenging but fairly easy to choose my footing, although a lot easier when I stay away from my usual routes that are a little off the beaten track.
However, running in the dark, albeit with a headtorch, in these conditions, can require concentration, and anything that is dark, shiny and glittery usually indicates a severe health hazard unless you are wearing skates rather than trainers.
What I find interesting is that as I get closer to my biggest goal of my run a mile every day experiment (the goal changed from 1 month, gradually to a whole year), new challenges crop up to test me.
In the past I may well have caved in and thought that this isn't meant to be, and I should stop resisting. But my attitude has changed.
I now see these tests as opportunities to stretch myself, come further out of my comfort zone, and enjoy the challenge!
Tuesday 7 December 2010
The dreaded treadmill
Yesterday and this morning I've run my mile and a bit on a treadmill, not something I relish I have to say, but needs must.
I have been in Inverness since Sunday afternoon where it is EXTREMELY cold and snowy, and my hotel is on a dual carriageway with no pavement, and the car park is completely packed with icy snow, plus a few cars.
I didn't fancy skidding round and round a car park in temperatures of minus 5 to minus 12 celsius.
Fingers crossed that I will be on a plane heading back to Gatwick this afternoon and back to running on small road, trails and golf courses by tomorrow.
Only 24 more days to complete my full house of running a mile every day of 2010!
I have been in Inverness since Sunday afternoon where it is EXTREMELY cold and snowy, and my hotel is on a dual carriageway with no pavement, and the car park is completely packed with icy snow, plus a few cars.
I didn't fancy skidding round and round a car park in temperatures of minus 5 to minus 12 celsius.
Fingers crossed that I will be on a plane heading back to Gatwick this afternoon and back to running on small road, trails and golf courses by tomorrow.
Only 24 more days to complete my full house of running a mile every day of 2010!
Wednesday 1 December 2010
Fun in the snow
Even more snow than yesterday this morning, a good 5 or 6 cm (2 inches I'd guess), which made it even better to run on. When the snow is reasonably thick and quite new I can be pretty confident it won't be icy, and I can run properly rather than tiptoeing along.
I'm still running in shorts, which is not a problem as my legs are plenty warm enough from being constantly in motion (that's a surprise, isn't it). However it's quite cold when my back foot flicks snow up my calf, but it's still fun.
I cut across the local golf course this morning, which was beautiful. The other advantage of the snow is that although I went out a good 45 minutes before sunrise, the white ground and trees illuminated everything beautifully.
Oh yes, almost forgot, today is the first day of my twelfth month of a mile each day.
Hooray!
I'm still running in shorts, which is not a problem as my legs are plenty warm enough from being constantly in motion (that's a surprise, isn't it). However it's quite cold when my back foot flicks snow up my calf, but it's still fun.
I cut across the local golf course this morning, which was beautiful. The other advantage of the snow is that although I went out a good 45 minutes before sunrise, the white ground and trees illuminated everything beautifully.
Oh yes, almost forgot, today is the first day of my twelfth month of a mile each day.
Hooray!
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