This song, Dream Big by Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand always helps keep me in a positive state of mind. When it comes on, I know that today, tomorrow, and everyday are going to be great! Dream Big everyday!
While teaching my 5th graders today, I said, "Quitting is one of the easiest things you can do." I was referring to how some of them where contemplating quitting different service organization they are in like scouts. My goal with this conversation was to let them know they are going to get out of life what they put into it. If their first intuition during boring or difficult situations is to quit, then they will never get anywhere. Lance Armstrong says it best with this quote: “Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” Being physically fit, eating right, and staying positive take much work and effort. Running a marathon has been one of the most difficult, as well as the most rewarding things I have done. If I had quit on mile 22 during the Disney World Marathon when I felt I couldn't move a step more, I would have taken the easy road out and failed. Yes 22 miles of running is an accomplishment, but my goal was running 26.2 miles, and I had to dig deep to finish. I hope to instill in my students and my runners that quitting is the last choice when faced with difficult tasks. I know some days are better then others, but if you don't try, if you don't plan, if you don't care, you don't succeed. You can do it, put your heart in to it! I was thinking about starting my blog after the new year, but there is no sense in waiting. It's so easy to say, "The diet starts tomorrow," or, "I'll run a little farther tomorrow to make up for today." Well today's the day! I have signed up for the Austin Marathon, taking place on February 20th, and I need to get serious. Running for me is never about trying to beat the other guy or break records, rather it's about having fun, improving, and possibly inspiring others to hit the trail. When I run, I take in all of my surroundings, think about everything and everyone, and find peace. The Austin Marathon will be my 3rd marathon to run in. The first marathon I ran was the Disney World Marathon, and I trained with Team in Training. TNT fully prepared me for my first of hopefully many marathons. I learned how important quality workouts (like interval runs, hill runs, and core workouts) are in order to be a great runner. I also learned how quantity runs (18 was our longest) really prepare you both mentally and physically for a marathon. My first marathon time was 5 hours and 2 minutes. Not a bad start. My second marathon I ran was the Austin Marathon last Valentine's Day. I obviously love running and love my city! With this marathon, I did my training on my own. Someone once told me, "If you can run 13 miles, you can run a marathon." So on my own, I ran about 5 days a week, usually 4 days of 3 mile runs, and then a long run on Sundays. My longest run in preparation for my second marathon was 13 miles, and, as I was told, I was able to finish the Austin Marathon. My time improved to 4 hours and 54 minutes. Not a huge improvement, but I was so glad to finish faster then my first one. For this marathon coming up in less then 2 months, I am again training on my own. My running goals are to run 4 miles at least 4 times a week, and run at least one long run (15 miles) in January. My blogging goals are to blog 26.2 times before February 20th. I know I can do it and I know it will take some time and effort, but this too shall happen! Today I am off to run the hike and bike trail here in my hometown, McAllen, TX before heading back to Austin. My journey of 26.2 blogs will begin with a 4 mile jog (hey that kinda rhymes)! Happy Running!  | AuthorCoach Chauvin prepares for his 3rd marathon! ArchivesFebruary 2011 Categories |
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