Winner or Whiner?

Okay, so I've been slacking in my life a LOT lately. Haven't been blogging. Haven't been running. What I HAVE been doing, however, is eating like crazy--filling my body with food to distract me from facing the hard and fast truth: Right now, I am a WHINER!

Yep.

You read that right.

WHINER!!!

I've been saying for months that I'm going to start running again. First, I was too busy with work. WHINER. Then, I got really sick and had a cough for weeks. WHINER. Then, I was getting ready to vacation with my family. After that, I was driving to Arizona for the summer. Then, 4 days after getting to Arizona, I was in a minor car accident, and while I was fine, my poor car was totaled. WHINER. So I was stressed about getting a new car. WHINER. Then, I was busy doing stuff with family. WHINER. It's too hot outside. WHINER. I'm tired and want to sleep in. WHINER. Everyday I wake up and make an excuse for why I can't/shouldn't/don't want to run. And trust me, many of my excuses were legitimate obstacles--getting in a car accident? Have a cough that caused me to hack uncontrollable and get short of breath just walking? Triple-Digit temperatures??

And then I started thinking about it. I remember a few months ago that my excuses for not going running included temps that were too cold, or too much rain. And, as I've reflected on things the past few days, I've realized (again), that there is always going to be an excuse NOT TO RUN. There will always be uncomfortable temperatures, work stresses, life, family obligations, lack of sleep, and countless other circumstances that I can legitimately site as reasons NOT TO RUN. That's what being a WHINER is all about. It's about looking at the cards you've been dealt and complaining that they aren't fair. WHINERS see only the obstacles. WHINERS are victims of their circumstances. WHINERS cry. WHINERS mumble excuses. WHINERS let life pass them by.

WHINERS ANNOY THE HELL OUT OF ME!

So how in the world did I become one?!?!?

Okay, before I move forward, let me sidetrack just a bit. I decided a while ago that I was going to sign up for the FULL MARATHON in Houston this year. I've run two half marathons and really want to run a FULL Marathon, so I figured now was the time to do it, when I'm relatively young and in good health. Running a FULL is on my Bucket List, and I really, REALLY want to be able to cross it off. So, I decided to sign up for Houston. For those of you who don't know, the Houston Marathon is a lottery run--more people want to run than they allow, so you put your name in and see if you get "drawn" or not. Well, a few weeks ago I put my name in, rather half-heartedly (since I haven't run in months), thinking "If I'm really meant to run a FULL, then I'll get drawn. But if I don't then I can use the lottery system as my excuse for not doing it (WHINER MENTALITY ALL THE WAY--blame someone else)."

Well, much to my surprise (shock? fear? trepidation?), I was ACTUALLY DRAWN and am in the FULL MARATHON! I found that out 5 days ago and guess how much training I've done since then. ZERO. ZILCH. NADA. Why? Because I have still been in WHINER MODE, instead of putting myself in WINNER MODE.

What is a WINNER?

Well, according to Merriam-Webster online, a WINNER is "one that is successful especially through praiseworthy ability and hard work." In other words, a WINNER is someone who decides they want something and then WORKS UNTIL THEY GET IT! A WINNER will find a way to train, even when it's hot outside, whether that means getting up at 4am or running on a boring old treadmill. A WINNER will MAKE IT HAPPEN. A WINNER will go to bed early in anticipation of oh-dark-thirty runs. A WINNER will schedule time to train and will treat that time with the same responsibility and importance as one would treat work or family or church responsibilities. A WINNER surrounds herself with positive forces--supportive family and friends, well-functioning equipment, training plans, healthy food and nutrition information, proper clothes, encouraging thoughts, upbeat music--all to keep her focused on her goal, to push her forward.

A WINNER makes changes. Changes to her schedule, her diet, her spending habits (to afford the proper gear for running). A WINNER recognizes that anything really worthwhile in life is going to require sacrifice and a WINNER is willing to make those sacrifices--time, sleep, money and calories--in order to reach her goal.

A WINNER faces the same challenges and obstacles as a WHINER. But a WINNER will run, walk, or crawl until she gets to the end. A WINNER refuses to make excuses, to let the obstacles define her. A WINNER makes things happen.

I don't know what has happened to me in the past few days, but something has changed. Maybe it took having the "H" scared out of me (lol--that's my cheeky little pun), but I am tired of being a WHINER.

I have decided that I am going to be a WINNER instead!

I have 196 days to get myself in shape. It's going to be hard. It's going to hurt. I'm going to be at various time sore, grouchy, sweaty, tired, hungry and annoyed. But also know that there will be times where I feel confident, strong, cheerful, fit and perseverant.

Look for me on January 13, 2013 at the FINISH LINE--I'll be there, with the other WINNERS!