Well, hello there!!!
Have you read my last post on whether you should run with or without music? I absolutely LOVED the discussion it created! At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong as long as it makes you happy and brings you peace or the burst of energy you are craving!
First of all, I would like to congratulate Roxanne who won my giveaway for the Armpocket by following my blog via email! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it because I love mine!
Today I’d like to share some of my random Instagram ‘wisdom’. I recently started looking up some quotes before heading out for a run. This way I have something to reflect about. I actually enjoy this new habit of mine!
Don’t you love it when you run and a passerby says or nods you ‘Hello’ or simply gives you an encouraging smile? It doesn’t take much to be kind.
Yesterday, I was reading one of my blogger friend’s post, Anna from Piper’s Run, and she mentioned how her daughters saw a lady running past their house and started cheering for her. Wouldn’t you want to be that runner?
I think this is one of the reasons I loved my Spartan experience so much: There was this sense of unity and support where competitors encouraged each other and stopping to made sure that no one was hurt. *Sprint, Super, Beast 1 & 2.* It was great!
Also don’t forget about those you care about the most because they tend to be neglected the most. Make sure you kiss and hug them and tell you love them. It never gets old.
As of recent, I find that my running experience has improved drastically. Why? I stopped comparing myself to others. It’s not a competition to me anymore, it’s MY running journey. I want to make this journey memorable and without any regrets.
It’s so sad when comparison prevents us from even starting something new! I know it has stopped me in the past. And there was no better feeling than chucking that heavy weight off my shoulders and living my life for me.
This quote is, once again, simply a reminder to all of us to be true to ourselves and train at our own pace. We don’t have anything to prove to anybody. Your health journey is YOUR journey. Stop comparing yourself to others. Ultimately, your own happiness should always prevail!
So if one of your workouts didn’t go as planned, who cares? Have some rest, cheer up and go for it again the next day! Consistency pays off and so does listening to your body!
Do you ponder about life when you exercise? What’s some of your most recent wisdom?
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xoxo
Olena
candies & crunches 
I always think when I run, and because it is my place to truly be one with myself and my thoughts, I can reflect on the previous day and what I liked and did not like, and how I can do better the next day.
Kindness, acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness are all things I think about regularly. I love the thought “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
It takes so very little to NOT judge someone, to give a smile, wave hello, hold a door, lend a hand.
I loooove reading your insights! I couldn’t agree more!
Thanks for the shout out! I love that my girls cheer people on when they run. I’m pretty sure they think it’s just normal to do, ha ha!
Run your race and you will succeed is my motto!
Anytime! You’ve raised your girls well!
I love thinking and sorting through thoughts and ideas in my head while running. And waving and smiling at others on the trails when I run and focus on the positives too that they’re out getting exercise and sunshine too.
I love runners like you!
I’ve been going through comparing myself to other runners a lot this year. I’ve tried to relax and not sign up for as many races. I want to keep it fun and take the pressure off always aiming for a PR!
It’s so important to step back and think why we started running in the first place. It’s awesome to score a new PR, but we all have off days and it’s not a good reason to beat yourself up 🙂
This is awesome. I especially love the quote about being kind. I’ve really been focusing on being kind and positive lately. Not to say I don’t always try to be kind and positive, but I work at a local high school as a teacher. This has been a very trying school year – morale at our school has been poor among the faculty, and the attitude from the kids has been the worst I’ve maybe ever seen. It is frustrating, but over the past few months I’ve been making a conscious effort to be kind and positive at work. I’ve noticed my attitude has carried over in my personal life, too. I have a poster in my classroom that has sort of been my personal daily mantra: “Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions, Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” It really is so true!!!
I love this mantra, Allison! I know how it is to work in a negative environment. It’s tough to stay positive and not to let it in your personal life. As they say, if you don’t like something, change it.If you can’t change it, change your attitude. I wish you all the best! Hopefully, the situation will change and make you a stronger person at the same time! xoxo
Exercise, running, the health and fitness journey–they all have so many takeaways and parallels to life. I may not realize such things while they are happening, but I know that my fitness pursuits have definitely made me a better person.
I agree! And you’re a great person! ❤
all great images/quotes! i usually run w/ music so i try to zone out and get into that, but if i run without, i do try to think about life and count my blessings and use the time to consider what might lie ahead for me that i can look forward to. always nice to have something positive ahead!
Ahhhhh! Counting blessings is a good one. Gosh, I’m getting all teared up just thinking how blessed I am. ❤
I love my alone time when I run. It is my time to think and clear my head. I definitely make a lot of life decisions when I am exercising because I have the time to process everything. I love your discussion on running and comparison. I always used to compared myself to other runners and it made running no fun for me. Now I just run for fun at my pace for the distance I please. It allows me to look forward to my runs and focus on becoming a better me rather than trying to be better than someone else.
Well said! I don’t think I’ve ever looked so much forward to my runs. I mean there’re still days that I need to talk myself into it, but once I’m out – I’m enjoying every single moment of it.
Thanks for visiting my blog look forward to connecting with you more. Followed you on IG so we can
So am I! I love discovering new blogs. Plus, another mom who loves running? Yes, please!
I definitely love running with music when I’m by myself. Obviously when I’m running with friends we just chat 😉
Love all the positive instagram quotes! That stuff never gets old!
I’ve never really chatted as I run. To be honest, I’m not even sure I can. What’s your strategy? Lol!
It doesn’t work for tempos or speedwork, but my friends and I get together for long runs and we just talk the entire time. It keeps your heart rate in the right zone, and it’s a lot of fun 🙂
I always ponder life when I exercise whether it be yoga or running. While running I usually let go of all my work frustrations and can think more clearly. Yoga is a place where I set my intentions for what I want in life and how I want to live my life. Two totally different thought processes but they are both necessary. 😀
I agree! I love both running and yoga. Yoga centers me. I also recently started incorporating mantras in my practices, it brought my yoga experience to the whole new level!
I love running with music. I’m one of those OCD runners who plans out a running playlist for a race. I have certain songs that should be playing when I’m about to cross the finish line! 🙂 I love the quotes you shared too!
There’s nothing wrong with it! Especially when you have a plan that works with your songs. Thank you for visiting my blog!
I have worked out many problems and difficult things on my runs. Years ago I had a miscarriage, and I spent many a run pondering life and it really brought me back to where I needed to be on a mental level. These days there is so much to think about and as a new mom, I use that time to come back refreshed and ready to tackle the day with the little one.
I’m so sorry you had to go through that. As a mom, my heart is shattered for you. It’s amazing though to see that you found a great way to deal with such a loss. I’m so soooo happy you’ve got an ultimate blessing in your life! ❤
Great advice. I do tend to compare myself to other runners, which a lot of times makes me feel like I’m not progressing. I definitely going to keep that in mind from now on. thanks for sharing!
http://www.pinkbutterflyfitness.com/blog
You are very very welcome! That’s the best gift you’ll give yourself, I promise 🙂 xo
love, loVE, LOVE all these quotes! Thank you!
Ahhhh! You’re very welcome! ❤
When I notice unkindess in others around me (lots of road rage lately) I use it as my cue to be kinder myself. Be the change you want to see, right? Thanks for stopping by my blog! I followed you on IG as well. : )
Hi! I’m looking to get to know you! I LOVE that quote, be the change you want to see in the world. That’s literally the best way to go about it.
Such a fun post! Jealous of the giveaway winner, but the cute story about the kids cheering picked me up. 🙂
Also, make sure that you got an email to subscribe to SST. After a lot of hard work, Semisweettooth.com is now back up and running! Wooo!!!
Thank you! I’m super excited to check out the updates!!! xoxo
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I love the idea of reflecting on a quote while you run! And that is so sweet about the kids cheering for the runner.
Definitely keeps your mind busy, and I’d love to believe, makes me a better person, wife and mom 🙂
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