NYC – 2013 – My favorite so far
I have been an athlete of some sort all my life. But for the last 12 years (maybe longer) I have been a runner. I hesitate using that word “runner” because my running is slow, patient and slow (did I say slow). But I do it consistently especially when I have a carrot.
For me, the carrot is important. I am not a “i just love to run” type of girl. I do it for the big goal, the end game, the vision. For me that means health, fitness, ego, and a cool medal. I have run 3 full marathons, a dozen or more 1/2 marathons, many 5ks and even one 15k and the medals hang, in my bathroom, next to my sink, to remind me I am physically capable, to remind me I can do this again, to remind me I am healthy and strong – to remind me of the taste of carrots.
Running cool races in amazing places has become a part of my BLV (more on that later #Paris2015) and to find the time, energy, determination and drive to make that happen sometimes requires carrots. Yes the big carrot, crossing the finish line, but also small carrots of running with friends, being healthy, getting to eat dessert or drinking that glass of wine. These carrots I enjoy along the way and enrich my life.
Carrots
For me, it’s never going to just be about big carrot at the end. I want to enjoy the process. I want the small carrots too.
As you think about your vision, and the steps to get you there, how can you enjoy the process? What are your carrots and how do you use them to take each step, to motivate and accelerate your progress, to help you achieve your BigLifeVision?
Thank you for sharing, Kimberly! Just started training for my 3rd half marathon – takes place in Phoenix. I walk….and it’s 13.1 miles either way. 😉
Have a group of friends that get together once a week to train for this – what a blast! We’ve all dealt with weight issues all our lives and are supporting each other in a healthy lifestyle. My primary ‘carrot’ is the mental sanity that comes with regular exercise. Then there is the eating food part….yes, ‘carrot’ on my list. LOL
Paris in 2015 sounds fantastic! Go for it!
Karen – thank you for sharing. I often forget how much I love laughter and knowledge and I needed the reminder. There is something perfect about a true and natural smile: from me, from my SO, from my children. That moment in time when everything else falls away and laughter and joy are everything.
And I usually consider dinner incomplete without a Trader Joes Dark Chocolate covered almond.
My biggest carrot is laughter. I love to laugh and to make others laugh. Fortunately, I have raised a family of comedians. I also am driven by knowledge. I like to know things, lots of things, and to share knowledge with others. Another trait that my kids have picked up from me. Of all of my carrots, it’s time with my kids that motivates me the most. They are funnier and smarter than I am and every day with them is a reward beyond anything I could ask for. Oh, and I like chocolate.
Boy I Soo relate to this having done now 2 Mud obstacle race and gearing up for my first Spartan Sprint maybe jumping over fire is my desire !! yes the Medals are exactly that !! I have 2 tshirts and 2medals I proudly display and feel so confident When a day or time comes when things are not in Exhilaration… 😉 I love now to Run , Walk with much better cardio since I struggle with Asthma all my life but These fit actions are keeping me STRONG!!! heading into my sixties next year and I do NOT look like it a Big Carrot able to dance at bars and enjoy a dark beer as a great Carrot sort of … Just loving the alertness and Cheerfulness I am able to Show others in all ways!!! great Blog here going to share with a dear friend in Canada who can Inspire us all to take on Bigger challenges all the time That is the Big carrot moving into stronger bigger Fit goals I can now climb a rope and do chin ups when IN the Past no Way!! rock on all! Peace
Carla – thanks for the comments and congratulations on your carrots and mostly your great health!! Way to live big!
Anders – thank you for sharing. Good forces indeed – it’s my honor to work in the same profession as you, to help improve the qualities of life for people and to help everyone live their BigLifeVision.
As for the running – a little bit of narcissism never hurt anyone if it get’s you out on your feet and enjoying the day.
Finally, I love this idea of short moments of acknowledgement along the way. It’s a good reminder for me to give them. They are always a gift to me, and it’s important to pay that forward.
My carrots in life are the short moments of acknowledgement from people meet. I really get my positive doses of endorphin when somebody says to me: ”I was really inspired by what you said…” ”You made me see how to address that deadlocked situation.” ”You helped me to realize the beauty in the complexity.” Etc.
To me that are the signs that I have made an impact or at least an imprint in the world. My BigLifeVision is about me doing what I can to improve the qualities of life for people on this globe. I cannot do this by myself, so I need to align good forces.
And I do run as well. Just for the exercise and the pleasure of telling others that I am no couch potato. A small touch of narcissism – maybe?