There is just something about goals that keeps every Mommy going. The goal to have dinner made in the evening. The goal to clean the bathroom by the end of the week. Goals to teach children to use the potty or to transition from a crib. A goal to sleep through the night. During those hours that seem unending and the days that lead into days, we cling to these little accomplishments, assuring us that we are actually succeeding at something.

Somewhere deep inside, we have other goals too. Goals that keep us from falling into motherhood obscurity. Goals that focus on us as women, as individuals. Goals that are completely separate from these children whom we love so much. Personal goals. Dreams.

One of such goals for me is running. Two months ago I talked about how desperately I wanted to get out that door and pound my feet on the pavement. But with that desire came so much fear. Isn’t that how it always is with personal goals? We worry that maybe we won’t succeed. Maybe we don’t have it in us to be anything great. Just a Mom. Nothing special.

My running goals this year have been clear. And terrifying. One goal race. 10K on September 15th. Two races before. A 5K on August 19th and another 5K the night before my 10K. Less that three months to prepare. Just keep running.

Despite the fear, I started running. 30 seconds at first. Then one minute. Five minutes. Ten. Twenty. And on August 19th, after missing a week of training because of a stomach virus, and without having run a full 5K in training yet, I ran the 5K portion of the Navy 10K Race in Halifax.

I was scared. Again. Here I was, completely unprepared. After an awesome couple of months of training, I had dropped the ball the week before the race. I had not run in a week. I had not completed a full 5k yet. I wondered if I would be able to do it.

My goals for the race were simple. Run the whole time. Do it in under 35 minutes.

I knew my determination would help me attain the first goal. I was entirely unsure if I could reach my second.

But I started. Like almost every run since that first one, I laced up, took a deep breath, and ran for it. Past the fear. Past the insecurities. Kicking my own butt the whole way.

Sometimes it is important to just start and keep the finish line in sight. And then, focus on the steps. Nothing more. One foot in front of the other. Step by step. Moment by moment. Each run I make is fuelled by self talk, keeping me running for just one stride more.

Just a few more strides until you’ve hit your first kilometre!
Almost at the 10 minute mark!
If you can do half of it, you can do the whole thing!
Just past 30 minutes! That’s longer than you’ve run before! You’re already doing better than you did last time. Keep it up!
Slow down but don’t stop. A few big breaths and then…
Go! Giv’er! There’s the finish line!

34 minutes, 29 seconds

Those dreams we hide in our heart is what shapes us. We determine the outcome and the outcome transforms us. And by facing the fear one step at a time, we might just find ourselves reaching our goals.

Keep at it!

In my previous running post, I asked what you have been avoiding. Now I want to ask what you’ve accomplished in the past couple of months? What are you proud of achieving? And what is your next goal to tackle?

My 10K is in less than a month and my schedule has been so crazy that I have just gone another week barely running. I have 20 days until my goal race and 17 training days left in my 10K training plan. Looks like I’ll be running daily from this point on.

Race: Support the Troops Navy 10K, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Date: August 19, 2012
Distance: 5 km
Time: 34 minutes, 29 seconds
Personal Best: 30 minutes, 34 seconds (last year)
Pace: 6 minutes, 54 seconds per km
Place: 154/262

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MommysMiracle/~3/hAOYs4dhlQg/one-step.html