The importance of internal dialog

Do you know that every day is magic happening around you? ? and that sometimes, you are the wizard making it happen? ??

Let me share with you some personal breakthrough I had - and please grab a cup of coffee or tea ? (If you want)

First, I must acknowledge that I like sport challenges, the type of ones that pushes me to the next level of my fitness level.

So, back in April (this year) ... I signed up for this race called HYROX where you run 8km with 8 workouts between each km.?

My personal and team expectation was that I should be able to do that under 2hours and even close to 1h:30m - which I thought it was doable, but hey! in paper everything is possible, right? ??

So, the date of the race came - I started full of energy?, love ?, wanting to do my best ??, buuuut an old foot injury shows up with me into the race (Howdyy??) and at workout #2 it took my energy away, my power, I felt somewhat defeated ?? as it didn't allow me to run as I used to run, as I know I can run (Context: To having 1km pace at 8-9min instead of my average that is under 6min)

What a bummer! ??... but well - I told myself "It is what it is - Keep going, you already started, just finish it, even if you have to walk" - That was a great decision and after ups and downs, I finished at 2h:01m:37s ??

Even when it was not the result I expected, I was grateful ???? that I was able to get to the finish line, and it gave me and objective to have for the next one ?? that in that moment I didn't know when that will happen.?

In life, sometimes we have the chance to do-over - so round #2 was schedule for November 10th and the goal was set to 1h:45m ?? -- I recover from my foot injury and started doing some additional trainings to increase my strength and resistance.

Again, I started full of energy?, love ?, wanting to do my best ??... And guess what? The foot injury shows up again and at workout #2, it felt like a Déjà vú, but this time, wasn't like last time because it was a different María's mindset ?? who also show up to the race…

I kept telling myself "Yes, is uncomfortable, not the desired position to be, slow the pace but don't stop, you got this" - and at workout #3, MAGIC happened! I felt no more pain - so I continue!

But then, before workout #5 (half-way)- I felt a cramp in my right quadricep - again my mind "Ok to the salt pill - continue - you got this - you can do this! The rower is your happy place, get there, and recover."

MAGIC happened again, the rower helped me to recover, and I kept going!

It was at km7 when another cramp (Maybe I should have better hydration right? but well) in my left foot - I kept telling myself:

"Until the finish line??, you didn’t come this far, to only come this far."

I saw my watch it was saying 1h:30m - and some self-negotiation started "Well María, you can do this in 1:47 or even 1:50 it's OK" --- But my ego that sometimes can really do a fantastic job, was like "Mmmm no, we have the chance to do it at 1:45, let's push for that"

I listened to that, that pride talking, and when I arrived at the last workout that is 100 wallballs - I took a deep breath and split into ten... Focused on completing it without having "no reps." making sure that every rep counted.

???????So, the result - 1h:43m:23s.... ?????

I almost cried ?? at the finish line, but the very first thing I did was to THANK my body and my mind, the team supporting me, the universe to give me the opportunity to be there, to show up for myself, and to witness and feel the magic.

?This whole story is something that help me to reflect on a phrase that someone told me once.

?"The same amount of energy that you spent in having negative thoughts, is the same one you can use for positive ones."

That was key for this - I could have given up at workout #2 and let the history repeat again, or I could start talking to myself the same way I will talk to someone that I love.

I choose the second one.?

So, how many times we do not take the time to praise ourselves? or give us credit for the things we achieve?

Talk nice to yourself, and magic will happen.

Give yourself the credit you deserve, believe it!

Believe that you can, and you will!

Ask yourself? Where or what or who is your happy place? How do you recover?

Set your own expectations, and externals ones? Use them as support but not to mandate your course.

Be grateful with your body, your mind, for the things you have and do not have... and always, keep going!

Be your own wizard and witness amazing things around you.

#HYROX #IamRemarkable