Just ran my final speed workout before the Bolder Boulder on Memorial Day. I didn’t want to do it. But I put on my running togs and drove to the Jeffco Stadium track.
It was chilly. It was windy. I was not enthusiastic. But (there’s that but again) I warmed up and stretched and then started the workout.
Five 1000m (1K) intervals (2.5 laps) at faster than 10K race-pace with 3.5 minutes rest in between. Oy.
It was really hard work but I did it. Not only that, but my last two intervals were faster than the third. And that’s because I dug down deep and pushed myself to the finish.
Which brings me to the reason for this post.
As I jogged my cool-down, feeling so proud of myself, I started thinking of all my writer friends who work hard at their craft yet have days when they doubt their abilities to finish a project or question whether they’re producing anything worthwhile or even if they should just call it quits on the whole writing thing.
Well, I’m here to tell you to complete that poem! Finish those novel revisions! Send out that query letter! Start that chapter book or graphic novel or screenplay or essay, and don’t stop until you have a first draft!
It’s all there inside you. You have the strength and inspiration and guts needed to get the job done. So dig deep, believe in yourself, and accomplish whatever it is you want to do!
Tracy Abell 
Aw, Tracy. You’re so cool.
LikeLike
Aw, Dot. Thanks for being a pal.
LikeLike
Aw, very good analogy 🙂 Thanks for the pep talk!
LikeLike
It seemed so true and obvious to me as I thought about it, and I wanted to remind my writer friends of those moments when they pushed on through and accomplished what they set out to do. We’ve all got it in us.
And I know my post comes across as a little rah-rah but I’ll blame it on the endorphins. 🙂
LikeLike
It seemed so true and obvious to me as I thought about it, and I wanted to remind my writer friends of those moments when they pushed on through and accomplished what they set out to do. We’ve all got it in us.
And I know my post comes across as a little rah-rah but I’ll blame it on the endorphins. 🙂
LikeLike
Hey, you talking to me?
Seriously, I bet each of us reading your post feels like you’re talking directly to us.
Next year, I want to do the workshop and prepare for the Boulder Bolder! You’ve inspired me!
LikeLike
I’m talking to you and you and you….and me!
Really?! You want to train for the BB? That’s so exciting! I just got an email about the summer/fall training session but I’m going to pass on that one. Let me know if you want the info.
LikeLike
Hey, you talking to me?
Seriously, I bet each of us reading your post feels like you’re talking directly to us.
Next year, I want to do the workshop and prepare for the Boulder Bolder! You’ve inspired me!
LikeLike
Awesome. I should try running intervals.
Good luck in your race!
btw–I’ll likely be in your area during late July. I’ll be in touch.
LikeLike
I never liked intervals in high school and they’re still not my favorite workout but I have a more mature attitude about it now. Ahem. They do help an awful lot although the director of the training program says that hill repeats are the single best workout for a runner.
Thanks for the good wishes and I look forward to late July!
LikeLike
Awesome. I should try running intervals.
Good luck in your race!
btw–I’ll likely be in your area during late July. I’ll be in touch.
LikeLike
I’m talking to you and you and you….and me!
Really?! You want to train for the BB? That’s so exciting! I just got an email about the summer/fall training session but I’m going to pass on that one. Let me know if you want the info.
LikeLike
I never liked intervals in high school and they’re still not my favorite workout but I have a more mature attitude about it now. Ahem. They do help an awful lot although the director of the training program says that hill repeats are the single best workout for a runner.
Thanks for the good wishes and I look forward to late July!
LikeLike
How the heck did you hear me having my little self-pity party half way across the country? I can’t run intervals either. Sigh. See what I mean?
LikeLike
I couldn’t hear yours because mine was so loud. Believe me, it took some doing to get my butt out the door today. But I KNOW there are all sorts of things you can do, Linda, and have done in the past. Find one of those memories when you felt a real sense of accomplishment and then use that to fuel yourself to work on whatever project has you feeling down. You got the power!
LikeLike
“It was really hard work but I did it.”!!!!!!!!!!
YAY Tracy! You are inspirational!
LikeLike
Re: “It was really hard work but I did it.”!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Laura! And that little girl with the crooked smile and pink ribbons is an inspiration. Your creations always make me smile. Thank you for that.
LikeLike
“It was really hard work but I did it.”!!!!!!!!!!
YAY Tracy! You are inspirational!
LikeLike
Um, so yeah…you talkin’ to me?
I think so.
When I read this, my heart beat faster and my breath caught in my throat. It’s a sign.
I had another sign just this week. When you’ve got time, I’d love to share it with you…
LikeLike
I did almost put “memoir” in the list but I didn’t want you to feel singled out. We all have our projects we want to finish but we all get stuck. I’m really hoping epiphanies like today’s will help get me through those tough writer moments when I need them.
I’m so excited this post felt like a sign for you and that you had another! I should be free tomorrow morning if you want to call and share.
LikeLike
Um, so yeah…you talkin’ to me?
I think so.
When I read this, my heart beat faster and my breath caught in my throat. It’s a sign.
I had another sign just this week. When you’ve got time, I’d love to share it with you…
LikeLike
Re: “It was really hard work but I did it.”!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Laura! And that little girl with the crooked smile and pink ribbons is an inspiration. Your creations always make me smile. Thank you for that.
LikeLike
I did almost put “memoir” in the list but I didn’t want you to feel singled out. We all have our projects we want to finish but we all get stuck. I’m really hoping epiphanies like today’s will help get me through those tough writer moments when I need them.
I’m so excited this post felt like a sign for you and that you had another! I should be free tomorrow morning if you want to call and share.
LikeLike
Thanks for the encouragement. I am at this very moment avoiding my WIP. I think I’ll press send and get to work. Congrats on getting ready for the marathon!
LikeLike
How’s it going with your WIP, Sarah? I’m neglecting mine right now but will get back to it after the race. Thanks for the kind words.
(I love your little user pic!)
LikeLike
How’s it going with your WIP, Sarah? I’m neglecting mine right now but will get back to it after the race. Thanks for the kind words.
(I love your little user pic!)
LikeLike