Olympic (Day) Dreams

I am a geek of Olympic proportions. I admit it.

Friends roll their eyes and clench their teeth, knowing they'll have to endure me in the coming days. My children will start off enthusiastic, then quickly resort to whines of "Mom, please can we watch something else?" I know I border on obnoxious, but I can't help it.

I love the Olympics.

It's not about the medals, although I know people who get upset when "our team" doesn't win the gold. For me, it's about the effort, and the opportunity. It's about the moment.

There was a brief -- very brief -- time when I had my own Olympic dreams. I have vague memories of Olga Korbut, but it was Nadia Comaneci that sealed the deal for me. At 8, I thought she was the coolest thing ever and I decided I wanted to be a gymnast, too. I was a pretty good tumbler, OK on the beam, woeful on the bars (if you ever want to test your upper body strength, hit the unevens) and absolutely terrified of the vault. Thus ended my Olympic dreams -- and my gymnastics career. Even now, when I watch, I have to avert my eyes when the athletes hurtle toward the horse at top speed.

I also love the swimming and track events. It's got something to do with the idea of one athlete (cue sappy inspirational music here) pushing him or herself to do their absolute personal best. I know everyone dreams of a medal, but wouldn't you like to have that one moment in your life where it's just you versus everything you think you can't do?

If you've followed my recent posts about upping the intensity of my workout with running intervals, you're well aware of my running struggles. Yesterday was the first day that running felt easier (not easy, but easier). My goal is to make it to a full mile next week. It'll be my own little version of personal best and when I finish, you can bet I'll be humming the Olympic theme.

What's your "personal best" goal?

Comments

[Kara from Mama Sweat]

For me the endorphins kick in at two miles. Definitely hang in there until you experience them--it's a nice addiction to have!

[MizFit]

My goal is to make it to a full mile next week.

hmmm now you have me thinking what my goal should/will be.
I need one.
and NOT one related to writing :)

Ill be back.

[Alyssa]

OK, here's my thing: I DESPISE running! If I'm chasing my kids around playing, that's one thing. But running as part of my workout, hate it!
So I got to thinking. If I hate it, and have never learned to enjoy it (I used to run quite a bit, and hated every minute, lol!), and it never got any easier, and it makes me feel awful, physically (Hello shin splints!), and I feel like it's hurting my body physically, than why am I doing it?
The only answer I could come up with is that it gets my heart rate up. But I can do that by walking uphill. Or taking a kickboxing or salsa or spinning class. Or riding my bike. Or Cardio Barre, which I LOVE!!!!!!
So, I'm cutting out the running. I'm still kickin' it up a notch with ya, but I can't do the running, and I'm sorry. But I'll still be here!

[Dara Chadwick]

Hopefully, my endorphins will kick in sooner than two miles, Kara :-).

Miz, any luck on setting that goal?

Alyssa, I see your point and can guarantee that running won't be a long-term commitment for me (the knees and hip just won't allow it). But that mile feels like something to prove for me. I'm hoping to add a kick boxing class this fall, but tell me, what is cardio barre? I like the sound of that!