Finish STRONG

The past two days I have been doing hill workouts on my elliptical.  I am not running as many miles as I would like ... yet.  But I'm trying to be smart, work back into my mileage slowly, and use the elliptical to help build my leg muscles.  Other days this week, I was disappointed when my short workout was over ... that has not been the case the last couple of days.  I have worked my BUTT OFF!  (And speaking of butt, WTH is that jiggly motion going on behind me when I am really going fast.  Ick.  I needed to get my butt off the couch ... so glad I am on my way!)  This is my 5th straight day of cardio training (which used to be no big deal, but I have been soooo lazy the past couple of months!)  Honestly I am starting to wear out.  My legs felt like jello today about halfway through my hill program. You know how that is, when you look at the clock and gasp "WHAT? I can't possibly still have that much time to go!?!" 

That's when you just have to dig deep
          Think about about what your goal is 
                    Get an image in your mind and then
                              crank the heck out of it!  

I bargain with myself a lot ... "Just keep up this pace for 1 more minute ... ok, you did it ... now go for one more minute ..."  I just kept bargaining my way through the last half of the workout!  Near the end, I really gave it everything I had left.  I didn't think I had it in me to finish, let alone finish strong.  But I think my determination stepped up and I finally got my second wind. When I run and get close to home, I try to sprint as hard as I can from the end of the street to my house.  When I race, I always try to run as hard as I can past the finish.  Today, on the elliptical, I pedaled as hard as my cramping feet would allow ... because I know what an awesome rush I feel from finishing strong.  I read somewhere once that it's important to do this to your body to teach it to move into overdrive when you feel exhausted. What an excellent physical and mental exercise!



**More on finishing strong HERE and HERE**