Anybody who knows me well, knows that I have problems with anxiety and panic attacks. So I have no problem admitting that I see a counsellor weekly, to learn how to cope when panic strikes (I personally think more people should have counselling, it can be so useful to talk things through with an objective, non-judgmental person). This week we were discussing some of the harder times that I've gone through in life, and how actually, I've always done my best. It's so easy to trivialise our achievements, but we really shouldn't. When I tell people I'm training for a marathon, the most common response is about what an amazing thing it is that I'm doing. And every single time I just brush it off with something like "oh, it's really nothing". But it's actually not nothing. It's a lot to do for a good cause. I'm not trying to be arrogant, but I'm trying to start actually praising myself, and recognising my achievements. And I recommend that everyone does this, even if its only to yourself. Actually giving yourself some credit for the things you do, even if they seem little.
This journey towards running a marathon has already changed me so much. For example: it's Saturday night and I have coursework due on Monday.
Me before I was training for a marathon:
I'll have a nice bath, get my pjs on early and curl up in a blanket on the sofa for the whole evening to get this work done.
Me now:
I'll go and do a quick 2 mile run followed by some stretching and completely exhaust myself after a long week before having a short shower and curling up in a blanket on the sofa for the rest of the evening and getting this work done.
The route I ran tonight I ran 2 whole minutes faster than I did back in November. Measurable achievements like that make me feel like I'm actually achieving something.
So from now on, I'm going to give myself credit for my hard work and celebrate the small victories I have along this journey.
Time to marathon: 3 months and 2 days
