Getting Stronger

It's been 3 weeks to the day since I signed up for Tough Mudder VT 2012.  For three weeks I've worked out just about every day.  For three weeks I've died with Jillian (from Biggest Loser), been beaten by Amanda (who's showing our team how to run) and tried to whip myself into some sort of shape so that I don't feel like I'll DIE on Mt. Snow come May 5th.

It's beginning to pay off!!!!

Saturday I had the best 3 mile run.  It actually felt good to run!  And today I walked with Tim for 2 miles, and then did Jillian's 20 minute SHRED.  And I didn't feel dead when I was done!  I think I'm actually beginning to get some strength, increase my lung capacity and generally have more energy for my workouts.  YES!  This truly feels really good! 

As of today I have 4 months and 4 days to train...

Tomorrow I head out with my Tough Mudders for a 4.2 mile run, followed by a one hour workout.  I'm feeling less intimidated by it than I was a week ago.  That's progress!  Tough Mudder suggests that by the time you tackle the 10 mile course, you (I) should be running 5 miles twice a week.  So that's my goal.  But more than that I'm working on upper-body strength... an area of weakness for me.  So most days I work on push-ups and use weights to build strength.

I must confess that I've HATED moments of this.  There have been several times that I thought, "Why did I lock myself into this?  I'm hating this and now there's no backing out!"  But more often than not, and especially now that I'm geting stronger, I realize that it's worth it.  It's GOOD to push myself.  I LIKE getting stronger and more fit.  So if you find yourself H A T I N G the discipline that you've committed to in the New Year, in the long run the payoff is worth the investment!

Hebrews 12:11  All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Happy New Year!  Here's to a year of change...