Finding Motivation

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." ~George Sheehan

As you guys now, I'm right in the middle of my training for the San Francisco Half Marathon at the end of July. Well....I have been on the hunt a little darn motivation to keep me going (and to get my butt out of bed early in the mornings)!

Here are my problems:

1. It's freaking hot here. I mean like all the time. This weekend I went to run at 7:30 am. And by 8:10, it was MISERABLE outside. And by miserable, I mean I ran by a sprinkler and seriously had the following thoughts, "I am sure that's drinkable. That sign that says 'This water is not potable' is probably crap. Does not potable mean it will kill me? Probably not. No one would know if I drank some really fast. Sure, my whole face would be soaked, but it's water!" Great job picking a race that requires you to be training in this mess, Tiffany. Way to think that one through.

2. I need a running buddy. My girls are going with me to SF of course, but they are not running the half marathon, and two of them don't live here. The one that does seems strangely unwilling to do my long run (6 miles this week) with me when her race distince is just 3.1. I just don't understand.... :)

3. I probably need new music. Whenever I get in a rut, I figure this is part of the problemo. I get bored with the same old stuff. So any good running song suggestions would be AWESOME!

BUT.....fear not! I am not a quitter and I am SO excited about Girls Weekend 2011 in San Francisco, that I will push through this! I decided to find some new motivation this weekend. Here we go:

1. As I already mentioned last week, my sweet friend ND Friend has graciously agreed to call me when she wakes up in the morning and tell me to go run. And I can't not go after I tell her I will!

2. I put my favorite motivational song ever back on my iPod. What is it you ask? Number One, by Nelly. This song has been my go-to for years. It used to be the first song we'd run out to at basketball games in high school. Then in law school, I would listen to it on my iPod right before going into every final exam (Ha, and you guys thought I was the dork listening to lectures on contracts? Fooled you!)

3. Last week, three people told me I looked really skinny. Basically, that's like hearing angels sing hallelujah to a chunky girl! Now, one of them was College Roomie, and as my best friend, she has to say it. But the other two have no such emotional connection. Score!

4. Next weekend is the Cherry Garcia run here and I'll be doing the 5K. At the end of the race, you get Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Yea, sign THIS girl up!

5. And finally, I came across these little pictures. I know lots of my readers are training for races too, so maybe this will let you guys out! Or, if you want to run a race but haven't, maybe these will help get you started!