One of the reasons I ADORE my husband is that he motivates and inspires me to to push myself physically.
Take yesterday for example. I was heading out on a late morning run with a 3.5 mile loop planned and I asked him if he wanted to join me. He said “I’ll be ready in 5”. So away we trotted. It was nearing noon and blazing freaking hot and humid as only the South knows how to be. About 2 miles deep he suggested we run “O’Hill”, i.e. a 1.5 mile uphill climb in the opposite direction from home.
Now, I have no problem saying no to this marvelous man but he has a way with words. Just as a myriad of excuses as to why I couldn’t possibly run any further was about to slip from my lips he said “we can walk the hill”. Then I remembered that one of my goals for June was to push myself a little harder than usual in my workouts. So up we slogged. And up and up and up.
It wasn’t so hard-that’s not to say I didn’t walk the steepest hills-and our nearly 6 miles made me feel proud and strong.
He did the same thing with the marathon we ran two years ago. We were out on a little jog and I was telling him about the half marathon I was about to sign up for. I casually mentioned that the full marathon cost the same as the half. His response? “Let’s run the marathon.” (Yeah, we are a thrifty pair.) Two months later we passed through the finish line holding hands.
Tate has inspired me to climb mountains, bike more, and turn 3 mile runs into marathons. In other words, he is one of my great movement catalysts.
We all need people to help us challenge ourselves and to remind us that we are strong and capable of pushing ourselves just a little bit more.
Who’s your movement catalyst?
y’all are too cute! I love these kinds of inspiring anecdotes.
My movement catalyst is ME. I am my own worst critic, but also, my own personal motivator. 😉
I hear you, I am damn good at motivated myself too. I am a super planner and he is awesome about just GOing for things without worrying too much about the details, which is a good balance for my overcalculating self. I am still inspired by your running story! I can’t believe how fast you are!
You are my movement inspiration!
Aw, you make me absolutely adore Tate. You seem so perfect together.
Dave knows I am stronger than I give myself credit, so he is amazing at pushing me just a little further or coaxing one more try when I “can’t do it”. Yesterday (bouldering) I was throwing for a move & still nearly two feet from even slapping the next hold. It’s easy to talk myself out in those moments, but Dave gently nudges & next thing you know, I’m making the move. We are so lucky to have active men in our lives who know we are strong & who aren’t afraid to push us.
YOU!!!!!!!!
I love that Tate encourages you to do better, move more, go farther, etc. That’s a wonderful trait to have in a partner. I find my inspiration all around me – from blogs, from nature, from certain magazines and books. I try to surround myself with things/ideas that encourage me to get out and go as far as I can as often as I can. What inspires me changes with time. I change with time and so far, it works for me.
What a wonderful post! 😀
My movement catalyst used to be my black lab who would hike up a mountain twice if you let him. Go, go, GO!
Now, my movement catalyst is my dad who is consistently running longer miles than I am. I love comparing stories and chatting, so this motivates me to keep on at it. 😀
I LOVE that you site your dad as your catalyst! It’s so wonderful as active people to have active parents, my mom teaches yoga and aerobics and my dad hikes, bikes, and gardens.
That’s awesome. Unfortunately my other half is not so much into fitness. I’m trying to convince him to start a ‘Couch-to-5K’ program with me (as he really would be starting from the couch, literally!)… but no dice, thus far.
I wish I had someone to motivate me, and help keep me accountable. I try to find inspiration in blogs (you!) and magazines and the like. And I can’t forget Lilly, my *very active* Australian Shepherd!
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Leftover Love | Gracefulfitness
[…] accomplished my goal of bumping up my workouts a notch through June and am looking forward to continuing the challenge through July. […]
That’s so great that you share the love of movement and keep doing it. I came to exercise late in the game, but I love it now. Don’t think I could ever be a runner but I always envisioned myself doing race walking. I suppose it could still happen, just have to find somewhere it’s being done. Thanks for the inspiration!