Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Look Before You Leap

Tonight I came home after a long day and tried to tell myself that working out wouldn't solve my problems. That running would only prolong the inevitable conversation I needed to have with myself and that the entire time, all I'd be thinking about was that I really needed to be thinking about this issue I'm having.

But...I came home...luckily before S and E so the house was quiet and I did something I haven't done in a VERY LONG TIME. I meditated. In other words, I sat....very still for about 10 minutes. You might be scratching your head about now.

"What do you mean you meditated?" I can hear you saying.

It's exactly like it sounds. Now I'm no meditation expert but I know the basic concept which is to clear your mind and focus inward..focus on your breathing and let your mind rest.

If you haven't tried it maybe you should. It did for me exactly what I was hoping it would do..buffered my day from my evening. It allowed me to shut the door on the day and start fresh..even at 5:30 at night I felt a little more energized and motivated.

The result was that I didn't just run, I did a small Brick workout which is essentially when you do two workouts back to back. Triathletes use them a lot to prepare for going from the bike to the run. Knowing I have a goal of completing a couple tri's still this season, I decided to give it a try for the first time in a very long time.

I did 10 miles on the bike and actually enjoyed the ride. This isn't always the case for me. I followed it up with a 1 mile run (doesn't sound like much but when your legs are putty it's pretty challenging). The best part about it...when I finished the workout, I not only felt amazing..I had a solution or an option to my issue I had never thought of, a couple emails later...I'm feeling a little more OK with things.

What I realized tonight was that sometimes I play things too safe. Have you ever heard the expression "Look before you leap"? I hear it everyday since my toddler is into Curious George and it happens to be in an episode he watches on repeat. Anyway, I never make the leap...I just sit there..staring at the water when I should be jumping.

Life is full of decisions, really tough ones and sometimes you need SOMETHING to help you see the light. Tonight for me, it was my workout, my run.

How do does working out help you? Do you ever meditate?

14 comments:

  1. That's awesome! Meditation is a constant work in progress for me. My brain does not like to sit so I'm set a timer for 5 minutes sometimes to "force" myself to sit and wipe the slate clean.

    I kind of do a moving meditation while I'm running, too.

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  2. Working out always helps me let go of the stresses I'm feeling! I've never meditated - yet!

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    1. how can we tell more people about the benefits of running?! :)

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  3. Running tends to do exactly that for me. (I have a hard time quieting my mind, but that's something I'm working on.) I always feel better after I have "run through my options", and the feeling of accomplishment helps, too. I have been trying to meditate while I run, because I've heard it makes the run less mental (which is when I find myself dragging). So glad your workout and meditation helped!

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  4. I haven't really focused on meditation before. My brain has a really hard time shutting off, so maybe I should! I'm glad you solved your problem though. :)

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    1. I'd recommend trying it. It's hard but can be so worth it!

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  5. I agree with Angela- I really have to force my brain to sit still. But there are so many benefits. Glad that you got in both meditation and a great workout! I'm new to brick workouts- but am doing my first tri in a few weeks, so I've been experimenting and am really enjoying the challenge.

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  6. Working out helps me focus and it makes me a better mom and wife. I am able to release stress, anger, worry and a million other things while clearing my mind. I just love the way I feel after working out.

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  7. TEAM MORNING TEAM MORNING TEAM MORNING TEAM MORNING!!!!!!

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  8. I really like this post. It's so true - I play it too safe sometimes too and it feels great when I do actually leap. A lot of it's about having faith, huh? I haven't really meditated as I have a hard time slowing down my mind but maybe that's all the more reason to try it. PS I tweeted this but apparently my brain isn't working and typed the wrong Twitter handle :-)

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  9. Working out totally helps me focus and let go of things that are bothering me...

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