Shifting Focus

For the last three weeks I have been sick and struggling to just make it through each day. To top it off, then my daughter got sick enough early this week that we spent some time in the ER getting fluids and anti-nausea meds. Needless to say, my focus has been on how I feel and getting her better. Which means my focus has NOT been on training for the race that I am running on Saturday. Not to mention the injury that I have been nursing for the last two months that have kept me from running more than 4 miles consecutively.

After running the Goofy in January, I had a plan that I would set a new personal record at the 500 Festival Half Marathon in Indianapolis this coming weekend.

Guess what? That’s not gonna happen.

Between injury, illness, and a change in my running shoes, I won’t be running 13.1 miles. I hope to walk/run those 13.1 miles, but depending on how I feel that morning, I may have to change my plans and do the 5K instead. A mere 3.1 miles.

Is that disappointing? Absolutely! Is it frustrating? Most definitely!

But sometimes our focus has to shift.

Instead of focusing on the original goal of a PR, my focus now has to be on my health and staying injury free so I can look towards the next race. I don’t race to win (obviously – I am SLOW), I race to stay motivated in my day-to-day exercise routine. I want to continue running without having to stop and wait for another injury to heal, so I don’t want to push it so hard that I get sidetracked again. In addition, part of the fun of this particular race weekend is spending it with my best friend from high school and her family. I don’t want to push myself so hard after being sick for three weeks and end up in bed at the hotel not spending any quality time with my friends.

So I am shifting my focus and expectations for the weekend. And that’s okay.

It is good to set goals and to stay motivated to achieve them, but when life gets in the way, it’s okay to adjust those goals to be more realistic, too.

Do you need to shift your focus on any of your goals today?

One thought on “Shifting Focus”

  1. It is so amazing how runners think. With all of the changes and injuries David has had, he is struggling with these same thoughts. From a non-runner’s perspective I am amazed at every stride and every step you both take. Life is about doing your best in each moment….it’s not about a pr…it’s not even about crossing the finish line…it’s about doing what you know is best in each stride and each step you take and being proud of all that is accomplished along the way…even if that means that your end goal has to shift. Love you…am already so proud of you…and cannot wait to see you!

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