If you don’t at first suceed, try, try, try again
When I last wrote I spoke about having patience, after all setting and achieving goals doesn’t come easy, especially when the going gets tough.
Having been left exhausted by travel to the northern parts of the UK I made a few changes to my race schedule so that I could race at the slightly easier location of Sheffield rather than Manchester.
It would have been all to easy to pull the plug on these longer journeys to compete but I am committed to my goal.
That’s where Persistence and perseverance kicks in.
As we all know life will always through in hurdles that set you back on your journey, but persistence and perseverance is about staying calm, keeping that balance and focus whilst you navigate that hurdle.
It’s how you push through these difficult times that strengthens you.
This past weekend I’ve just competed at the British masters championships and become British W45 Champion in the 200m. I decided not to compete in the 60m as it would have meant another night away from home.
Choosing my battles and keeping that balance that’s been missing of recent weeks.
Was it the perfect race? Absolutely not, my start needs work, as does my attack on and off the bends BUT it’s all to easy to focus on what was wrong rather that what was was right.
I like to let myself “settle” after I’ve raced, get some good rest and recovery and gain some balance to my perspective before I really review my performance. It’s all to easy to get caught up in the emotional highs and lows that any logical thinking goes out of the window.
Re-balancing before I review allows me to focus on the small wins after a race.
A new indoor lifetime best time and having finished 2 seconds ahead of the silver medalist I’ve not really competed under pressure yet.
So back to the drawing board of training, nailing my starts and those indoors bends and undulations that the Oval Office brings with it.
So now onto persevering with my goals. An additional step in the process with some sessions booked at Lee Valley to work my top end speed off the bends and some specific block start work and we put into practice again.
Because after all if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
So don’t think a day not eating to “plan”, a missed exercise class or run is the be all and end to your bigger goal.
Just remember when you keep persisting and persevering you are creating consistency.
In creating consistency you are teaching your brain that you’re capable of changing your behaviour.
So here’s to celebrating those small wins and putting into practice that old saying “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
If your looking for a re-set. A week whereby you can focus on YOU we’ve got our self-love week starting Monday.
A whole week of self love Yoga and Pilates based classes live on zoom (recorded for catch up) including your “at home” self love pack. We hope you’ll join us.
In the meantime have a fabulous week. I sense the long awaited spring is coming!
Love Karen and the team