Monday Motivation: the courage to start

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Hannah McGoldrick

I posted this photo to my blog back in March when I first started a couch to 5k program. I had never been a runner but at that point in my life, needed something to focus on, so I started running. Now, less than eight months later, I’ve not only run many 5ks but yesterday finished my first ever half marathon. I thought it would be appropriate to re-post this photo for this week’s Monday Motivation because if I hadn’t had the courage to start that couch to 5k program back in March, I would never be where I am today. I hope you all have a great week of running and you have the courage to start a new running goal. Happy running! (I’ll have a full race recap up of the half marathon sometime this week!)

Monday Motivation: keep running

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Hannah McGoldrick

I’ve always said my running goal has no finish line because my goal is to be a runner for life. Sometimes this is hard to remember when I get really excited about registering for a new race or when I get hurt while training. But I’ve found that the most important thing to remember is to have balance and listen to my body. If this means I have to take a day off for whatever reason so be it but in the long run I just want to keep running. Have a great week of running everybody and check back later on for my big announcement!

Monday Motivation: Dream big

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Hannah McGoldrick

I’m usually not the biggest fan of semi-cliche sayings like “Dream Big” but lately, it’s constantly running through my mind. As I look back to March, when I couldn’t even run a mile, and now I’m getting ready to run a half-marathon, I really can’t believe it. I also can’t believe how much running has literally changed my life. Things I never thought would happen for me are finally happening and I’m just so proud of how far I’ve come. I also am a believer in the fact that big dreams should be a little scary but if you have enough confidence in yourself, they aren’t impossible. So as the saying goes “Dream big” because as big as you can dream you can achieve greatness. Happy Monday and good luck with your training runs this week!

What are your big dreams for the week? Share them in the comments section!

Monday Motivation: It takes a team

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Hannah McGoldrick

Training isn’t always easy. In fact, I’d like to argue it’s never easy. But isn’t that why we do it? To push our limits and challenge ourselves? I think so at least. But sometimes when injuries happen or you have a bad run, it can be hard to keep going. Self confidence can get low and doubt can rear it’s ugly face but if you have surrounded yourself with a support team, a team that believes in you no matter what, you can push through the doubt and continue going.

I have been lucky enough through my training to have a massive support team in the form of family, friends, fellow run bloggers and complete strangers. After overcoming (fingers crossed!) some IT Band issues, I have never been more grateful for the amazing people in my life who believed in me and dragged me through my own stint of self doubt.

Sometimes we don’t do as well as we had hoped but at the end of the day, if there’s someone cheering for you at the finish line, or dragging you across it, you know you’ve accomplished something. Happy running this week!

Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan were the definition of team at the finish line of the London 2012 Olympic marathon.

Monday Motivation: I’ve got to run

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Hannah McGoldrick

After having some serious IT band flare ups on a run last Tuesday I decided to make the smart decision to rest my knee to avoid hurting myself even more. Besides getting off of my marathon training plan, the whole not running thing was killing me! Especially when the weekend came and I had to spend it with someone I hadn’t seen in a long time and we didn’t exactly end on great terms. For me, running is my outlet, my stress reliever, my therapy, and after this weekend all I could think about was getting out on the road, clearing my head and finding peace again. Then this morning happened and I had a fantastic, easy 3-mile run, my knee felt pretty great and my mind was cleared of all negative thoughts. I’m still taking it easy on my knee but it felt so amazing to get back out there. I hope everyone’s training is going well and I wish you the best of luck this week!

Monday Motivation: Do what others say cannot be done

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Hannah McGoldrick

When I first started running, I was focused on just finishing a 5k. I was not a runner and just started last March but I knew if I set that goal for myself, I could accomplish it. Pretty soon, I realized I could run farther and longer than a lot of other people. I remember the day when I broke through the mysterious “wall” and was able to just keep running, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I had never been really good at anything athletic but now I was able to run 4 miles and then 6 miles and pretty soon, a half marathon.

But when I told some of my family and friends about my dream to run a marathon, a few doubted me. They told me it was too ambitious, I hadn’t raced enough smaller races yet, I could hurt myself and I just wasn’t ready. It’s hard to hear this form people you love, especially when you just want them to be happy for you. But it gives you a choice. You can either listen to what they say and change your mind about your goals, or you can ignore them and go full speed ahead with confidence in your ability to reach your goal. I did the latter.

Monday Motivation: Keep going

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Hannah McGoldrick

We all know training can be hard and sometimes your head tries to convince you to stop. But training is supposed to be hard because you are training your body to do something it didn’t know how to do, or didn’t know it could do. The next time that little voice inside your head says it’s time to give up, or someone who doubts you says you won’t finish the race, don’t listen. Listen to your heart and remember why you started training in the first place. I say this a lot but it’s really not about proving other people wrong, you want to prove to yourself that you can do it. If you go into training with that goal, you’ll surely be successful! Happy running this week and keep me updated on how your training is going!

via Pinterest

Monday Motivation: just finish it

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Hannah McGoldrick

We all know that training can be hard and there are times when we may think, I just want to rest! But it’s important to remember why we set goals for ourselves- to challenge our body and our minds. While the Olympics are so inspirational and make me feel like I can get out there and run a marathon in 2:23:07 (which I most DEFINITELY cannot), I also know I will never be at that level. But i can find comfort in knowing I am challenging myself and I can get to my own level of achievement, whatever that may be. I liked this saying in the pin below because while we may not turn out to be Olympians, we are still achieving more than those who never start. Happy running this week!

“Dead last finish is greater than did not finish, which trumps did not start.”

(via Pinterest)

Monday Motivation: Get Happier

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Hannah McGoldrick

I love this pin I found on Pinterest. I think it’s the perfect motivation to just keep going whether you’re just trying to get through a hectic work week or an insane training schedule, or both! (Like me!) It’s important to remember why we do the things we do. In the end, we all just want to “get happier.” I hope y’all have a great Monday!

“Get Happier” (via Pinterest)

Monday Motivation: run the day

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Hannah McGoldrick

I love this for the beginning of the week because it’s so true! Either you run the day or the day will run you. Have a positive outlook for each day and you’ll be able to conquer it no problem :) What will you choose? Happy running!