It’s easy to get comfortable. Doing the same things you’ve always done…over and over. We’re creatures of habit after all. We all do it and it’s usually because it’s the path of least resistance… or less thought. You run the exact same route, day after or day, eat the same foods, see the same people, think the same things… you see how this can trickle down to everything else in your life without a second thought. But, what happens when you wake up one morning and that old routine you once loved so much wasn’t what you really wanted at all? In fact, the thought of it actually makes you sick. That sounds dramatic, right? However, I’m pretty sure every person reading this right now has felt the exact same way.
Example – I don’t always listen to music when I run but when I do, I set these different playlists for certain runs. I love taking the time to pick the perfect songs and make the music flow exactly how I’d like it to be. I love those playlists and I’ll hit certain parts of a run and that specific song will come on and it’s like I expected it. That’s my jam! I knew it was going to be the thing to serenade me to the top of that hill….. and then, at some point over a period of time, that song makes me want to scream. “Ugh..I hate this song! You’re the worst One Republic! If I hear this again, I’m just going to lay down in the middle of my run and cry!” Ok, that may be a little dramatic, but you get the point. What happens next? I take my headphones off. I leave them at home for the next several weeks.
That’s a small example but it can make or break your runs. It can challenge you, just like getting off the roads if you’re a roadie. Heading for more hills if you’re always looking for the fastest, flattest course you can find. The goal of this blog is to help you think about ways to become more mentally tough and one way is to step out of your comfort zone. Let go of that control. Find the things that scare you and then just sit there...just wait there until you’re not afraid any more. That’s when the magic happens. That’s when real change takes place. Yes, it might be uncomfortable or difficult at first but that’s the beauty of busting a rut. It’s getting through it and seeing what’s waiting for you on the other side.