Did Your Mind Tell You to Quit?

I have begun to realize that getting ready for Tough Mudder is as much a mental preparation as it is a physical preparation. Last week my trainer, Karen Martin, said something that has really stuck with me.

I was doing push-ups and the idea was to go until I couldn't go anymore. This was my second set of agony, so you can imagine that my arms were starting to feel the love. Karen is telling me I look strong, that my form is bang on.

And then I stopped.

She looked me in the eye and said, "Did your mind tell you to quit, or did your body"? Busted. She was totally right. I did have more left. Not only that, but yesterday when I was out for a run, I thought about stopping early and her voice was ringing through my head.

So, I've decided that whenever I think I'm done, I'm going ask myself whether my mind is telling me I'm done or if I've actually reached my physical limit. (For the record, I finished the full run yesterday!)

I have a feeling I'll need this advice on Tough Mudder day.

I've Been Muddering Along All Winter...

I think we can all agree that this winter lasted way. too. long. I actually didn't mind all that much, because I was really busy with my winter term course at McMaster Divinity College. When it's nice out, it's a lot harder to buckle down and write those papers and study for exams.

But there's been another plus side to this winter...I've been faithfully working out almost every workday morning at 6:00 a.m. at Pinacle Health & Fitness getting ready for Tough Mudder. Three mornings a week I join Karen Martin's fitness class. Karen is amazing--she pushes us to our best potential. Squats. Planks. Burpees. Lunges. Push-ups. Weights. Cardio. And it's starting to make a difference!

When I joined the gym, I didn't realize how important these classes would be for me. I've met some really great people who help me out when I'm struggling and celebrate when I break through a milestone.

Jane usually works out right behind me. I love talking with her every morning. When the going get's tough, I can always look back and know that we won't give up--she won't let me!

Julie is in front of me. She is soooo strong. She sets the pace in the class and is always doing the most challenging version of the exercise. But even though she is so fit, she still takes time to ask me how it's going and to notice when I'm able to make it through the set or use heavier weights. She could totally be a gym snob, but she's not. I love that about her.

I won't lie to you. It hasn't been easy getting up every morning at 5:20 to head for the gym. I made a choice to go and Jane, Julie, and Karen make it a lot easier to do that. Most of you will know the reason I'm doing the Tough Mudder Challenge...to raise money for women and children overseas with World Relief Canada. These women face very difficult circumstances every day. They don't have the choice like I do--they face their obstacles to survive.

Stay tuned.