The first product for the 5 Days of Taper Giveaway (background) is a new-to-me tool I’ve been using this training cycle. Training and running can so easily become all about numbers and times and distances, and we forget about the qualitative parts of the sport. What our brain and heart say are just as important as the watch!
(so I’m beginning to learn)
The Believe I Am Training Journal is a product of USA Champion Lauren Fleshman and Irish Olympian Ro McGettigan. It includes space for daily workout logs, race recaps, goal mapping, open journaling, and more. Other features like hand-drawn visual cues and motivational quotes are scattered throughout.
Check out my BIA album for more “sneak peek” looks at the inside
This marathon cycle has been different in so many ways, mostly being that I left my “abbreviated training” and committed to a full 16-week, high-intensity training plan. With burnout tendencies I knew it’d be especially important to keep my head in the game and focused on my goals to make it through the long haul.
In a (quite unfortunate) turn of events, the journal has now become my place for venting about this nagging anterior tibialis strain. I got sick of talking about it (here and in person) and all of the negativity it was emitting towards running, but knew it was important to get my honest feelings out in order to process and move on.
Many, many of those lined journal pages are filled.
With lots of four-lettered words.
But it helps to flip back and see those goal flowers, and immediately remember WHY I’m putting myself through this. And that the journey, with all of it’s ups and downs, is just as important as the glory at the end.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Want a BIA Training Journal from Lo & Ro of your own? Or maybe you know someone who’d love it as a holiday gift? Answer the question below.
- What is your training/life/relationship motto? The phrase that simultaneously grounds and inspires you to be better at whatever it is you’re trying to be?
Mine is “BELIEVE” – it can be as simple or complex as I need it to be, and applicable anywhere. And thankfully it’s really short because I got it tattoo’d on the inside of my wrist. (long before the journal – I love BIA but not THAT much) :)
Sarah OUaL
* don’t forget to come back tomorrow for another 5 Days of Taper giveaway! *
Sarah OUaL 
Ohhh my goodness I really want one of these! I’d say my training or life motto is something my nan says a lot, “This too will pass”> Her way of saying, “Everything, good or bad, will one day be over”. Sounds a bit depressing at first but it is taken to mean that anything horrible thats going on will not last forever and to cherish anything great or meaningful every day. :)
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“Life is a marathon, not a sprint”… It just reminds me that results, progress, or anything I want to achieve takes time. There are ups and downs and there are always times where you want to give up, but you have to just keep going! I’m a really impatient person so this quote just helps me put things into perspective when things don’t happen immediately like I want them to!
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My training motto is “run while you can”, because we cannot know how long we still are able to run so we better follow our dreams now. I think it can also be a motto for lIve, for whatever you might want to do in it- do it while you can!
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Attitude is Everything……
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Mine is “More Fire” – either a steady, slow burning flame, or a brief supernova of effort. It’s simple enough to be able to repeat when I’m working hard, but esoteric enough that I can also ponder the meaning of it on long runs.
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I’d love one, mine is Progression not perfection. I need to keep progressing. Not going to be perfect
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Take Chances!
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My Training moto is ‘Faith” Some days are better then others but ultimately its the Faith that got me to where I am at any given moment and faith will take me through the next.
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*motto!
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Keep running – meaning literally keep the legs moving in a race or just keep up the sport – but figuratively don’t give up on anything that is important in my life.
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Kelly Clarkson put mine into song lyrics a year or so ago – What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Now the “kill” portion of this line is a bit rough, but I like to think that every action we take in life, every relationship we build, and every activity we set out to conquer makes us that much stronger.
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I’ve been looking at one of these as I come back from injury and set my sights on a spring half! (because lets face it, noooo one wants to hear about my foot pain anymore.)
Anyway, funny enough my motto is tattooed on my wrist too – Peace. Many people think its some hippy-dippy thing but it’s basically my own personal reminder to chill the f out and approach everything in life (running included) in a calm, rational and peaceful manner.
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I think “team michelle,” because my last five years of marathon training have been centered around my sisters fight against breast cancer. This year is the first year I’m training in her memory instead of in support of her fight. I just tell myself that the miles I choose to run (and that totally suck) are nothing compared to the battle she faced.
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“Be Brave!” – I am definitely an introvert (though I play an extrovert at work)…and I tend to think I can’t do something because I haven’t done it before.
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“Just keep running” I actually have this on my road ID. I am nortorius for feeling like I am pushing too hard and stopping to walk. I know I don’t really need to, I really need to learn to pace myself so I dont feel like death when running hard.
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“It’s never too late to do something new.” I think of my mom, who never ran more than a mile until she was over 50. We trained for and completed our first marathon together last year when she was 63! If she can go out there and take that leap of faith, anyone can!
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Mine for life and training is “I can, I will”. I never thought of having one for a relationship… I’ll have to work on that.
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my training motto is “dig deep” because you can always tap into a little bit extra when you’re feeling tired/hurt/mentally fatigued if you just dig the positive stuff out from within.
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mine is hustle harder. hustle has always been important to me because while i may not be the best at something, i can always be the one that hustles harder than anyone else!
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I’m a Believe girl too – sometimes I forget to believe in myself, so constant reminders are necessary. A BIA journal wold be an awesome way to keep myself focused!!
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I have been the world’s worst training plan follower until about 12 weeks ago. My training motto has become “Keep it Up”. My life/love motto is “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff”. Pretty sure I require Travis to tell me the motto at least 4x times a week as I am known to stress out about the stupidest things.
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My motto is “Everything happens for a reason.” I live by it!
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Mine is “Control what you can” — it applies to both training AND life. Not every run in a training cycle will be great (or even happen at all), but I can put in the work, the sleep, and the “less beer, more Nuun” efforts. I can’t control everything in my life, but I try to focus on making an effort to do things that I know will make me happy that are completely within my control. At least, this is what I tell myself when I’m freaking out over a terrible LR or a “what am I doing with my life??” existential crisis.
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Mine is “gratitude.” Always reminds me to be thankful and keep things in perspective. Great giveaway!
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I always think about those who can’t run/exercise, and I tell myself every inspirational quote i can think of to get through the tough runs.
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I too am a believe girl. so much so, it is tattooed on my wrist!
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I always think “Head up and keep dreaming” Because no matter what, there are always things to be thankful for and always new dreams ahead.
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This is totally dorky, but after a marathon viewing of Biggest Loser with Dolvett, I went on a long run and “hard work, determination” got stuck in my head. Now whenever it’s getting tough, I think this to push further.
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I find my training motivation to be “you never regret a run.” Some days it’s hard to get out the door or on the treadmill but knowing how much better I’ll feel afterwards and that I never finish and regret lacing up my shoes. Running is my stress relief and way to get away from daily life, if I dont push myself I fall into a mega slump. I think my life/ relationship motto is “everything happens for a reason.” Because it does and you can never change the past only move forward.
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sometimes I always have to remind myself to “slow down” so I think that is a great motto! Sometimes we get so caught up in life that we have to just sit back and take it all in! Plus rushing life isn’t worth it! Live everyday like its your last! (:
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“Everything Happens For A Reason” I have used this motto since Middle School :)
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My life motto is “You can do it” No matter what people tell me I know that I can do anything that I put my mind too especially if you want it that bad!
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My motto is “stay positive” — it’s not natural to always be positive. Sometimes you have to work at it — this applies to my life and running.
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“Quit slackin and make shit happen” I slacked off on my weight and my health for a little too long, so now it’s time to make it happen. I’ve worked hard to get where I am today, and it’s because I stopped slacking off.
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“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up!” From the famed Jimmy V speech. I say this to myself on a daily basis, whether it be in the middle of a really challenging work project, mile repeats on the track, or just during one of those really craptastic days. This phrase grounds me when I’ve gotten worked up about something not deserving of so much attention or energy. That Jimmy V speech tugs at my heartsrings, having had to endure my father’s long fought battle with cancer. The last conversation I had with him he told me to stay focused, strong, finish school and never give up, no matter how impossible it may seem. I have a wrist tat also! It’s my dad’s signature :)
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My motto is “Explore, Dream, Discover.” It’s part of a longer quote that is my absolute favorite and starts with “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do.” It keeps me trying new things – like running – which is something I never ever thought I’d be able to do!
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Mine is Shine Bright. I try to remember to let my light shine on others in whatever I do. Running makes me brighter!
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relentless forward progress
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I always remind myself to “have fun” because if you aren’t having fun, why are you doing this in the first place? This especially helps around mile 22 or 23 of a marathon, or when I feel like I’m in a training rut.
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My moto is everything in moderation.. I just to do a lot and get involved a lot. Plus I like working out out, staying healthy, etc.
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My life motto is JUST BREATHE. It’s very yoga-y but it actually came from my Dad. Well actually it came from Faith Hill, you know that song? We are on a long car ride home from a crappy gymnastics practice when I was younger and I was flipping out and that song was on and my Dad was like “see Abbey, it’ll all be OK, Just BREATHE”. And I’ve been using it ever since. He’s a genius. And Faith Hill is gorgeous
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*Eek! I really want one of these!* My motto is: Give It Your All! In my relationships, training, and races, I strive to know that I am giving it my all.
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I just began training for my first marathon and would love a BIA journal! My motto would have to be that I run to be STRONG. Running has shown me strength that I never knew I had.
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My motto is: you can do this!
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Look how far you’ve come! From people telling you your crazy for your dreams, for all the strugglers you get thru! When you look back & see what you’ve accomplished how. An you not smile
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Mine is “do the best that you can with what you have today.” Not every run feels better than the last. Sometimes an 8:15 pace feels totally comfortable and sometimes it feels f’king hard. I tell myself to do the best that I can with what I have on that day. It gets me through the hard miles :)
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I have started reminding myself to “Run to live, not live to run” so that if I miss a run because I’m doing something fun, I know it is ok and I’m running to be healthy and live a longer, healthier life with my kids.
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my motto seems to change depending on my mood and the conditions of a workout/run… lately it’s been “be thankful that you CAN run!”
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INTEGRITY. That’s been big for me this year. With each big decision I make, I have to be sure I’m doing it with conviction and integrity. That way, if anyone disagrees with me or gets all pissy about how I’m living my life, I don’t have to fight to back it up. I know I’m doing the right thing for me.
Pick me.
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Keep Moving Forward – This can be in anything… forward progress is important in your thinking, career, fitness, love anything! :)
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I would really like one of these journals! It is on my Christmas List… :)
My life motto is “There will be a day when I cannot do this. Today is NOT that day.”
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Pain is temporary, Pride is forever. No matter if it is running or life, you will always go through hard times. But knowing you made it past that it always worth it in the end.
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My motto is “Just do it” because the only thing keeping me from accompishing my goals is myself.
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My motto lately has been “FOCUS.” It seems that I’m always thinking of something else and not living in the moment and concentrating on what I’m supposed to, whether it’s running, my job, my relationships, whatever.
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“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford
My biggest road block is my brain. Whenever I find myself thinking “I can’t,” I think about this motto and I remember that I set my own limitations (usually!).
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my motto for running specifically is “make it hurt” – sounds masochistic but it works! take chances and believe that i can, and make it hurt…that’s how i know i ran my butt off and gave it my all!
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“Never make a decision on an uphill”
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Ha! Good one.
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My motto is “I am strong” Something I repeat to myself during races because I find the mental part the toughest aspect of a race. When I tell my mind I am strong I instantly get a push that I need to finish strong! :)
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I’d have to say that my motto would be “Just take the next right step…then the next”. It has served me well in running when I feel like my lungs are about to explode or in life when I feel like acting like a 2 year old.
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Someday, I should tat it on my wrist too…it could easily be shortened to “The Next Step” or the “The Next Right Step” or some combo of artistic wow.
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I LOVE the idea of this journal – I have been looking for a creative way to record my training as I gear up for 16 weeks of hardcore marathon training before I run my second marathon. Something I tell myself during all tough things in life that I feel I am having trouble getting past – whether it is a LR I’m on where I feel like garbage or whether it’s studying for an exam I feel is impossible to pass or I’m doing something at work that stinks – I just tell myself “The nature of the experience is that it passes” – it’s something I heard from a yoga instructor during a particularly difficult pose. That phrases has gotten me through some pretty tough times in my life and has helped me keep the faith that good or bad, I’ll end up on the other side a better person for having gone through the experience. The awesome thing about shitty things is that they make you appreciate all the good stuff in life. Love your blog. Love your spirit. Love your feisty-ness. You’re awesome :) Also, you have some bomb-ass handwriting!
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My running mantra is “Trust”, during my last half marathon, I realized I was saying it outloud during a race to power me up the hills. Embarrassing? Def- was the 7 minute PR worth it? Totes.
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My motto is “Get out of bed”. I have to run before work since I get off late and somedays it seems easier to stay in bed and sleep an extra hour. However, I know I’ll pay for it during a race by sleeping that extra hour and not going for a run or to the gym. I won’t reach the times I want or be able to distances I know I can go. I know I’ll hate getting out of my warm bed, but once I get in my zone it’s totally worth it.
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“You can do anything for _______.” Filling in the blank with whatever time/distance there is ahead of me when I feel like quitting reminds me how strong I am.
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Yep, that’s a huge one. Also, “keep your head positive”. I’ve had some races where it wasn’t going as planned but I ended with a smile on my face because I kept my head in it.
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“Have confidence in yourself.” My 8th grade softball coach would tell me this before going up to bat, as I was a great hitter, but lacked confidence which led to many strike outs. Once I developed confidence, I realized my potential. I now apply this to running and my professional life. But especially running.
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Mine is PUSH. I have never been great at pushing myself and I give up mentally before my body ever gives out. So I have been working on my mental strength and fortitude.
The Kidless Kronicles
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“Stay in the mile”. I always let my mental game fall apart when I keep thinking about how far I still have to go. Whenever I find that I’m about to psych myself out, I remind myself to stay in the mile. Since I’m the overanxious, bat-shit crazy type, my mantra helps for all parts of life… deal with I can control now; and deal with later, well, later.
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My running motto is- “don’t quit.” Some days when the pace isn’t what I want or my legs feel like bricks- I just want to throw in the towel. I have to constantly remind myself WHY I run, and don’t quit because I know I’ll regret quitting much more than I’ll regret pushing through a run!
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Breath is my training/life/relationship motto. It is so simple but so powerful. In any situation, if I take the time to get my breath under control it helps with whatever I am doing.
I am really excited about your giveaway! I wanted to buy the journal on Friday but I realized someone other than me had been using my credit card for the month of Nov. so I had to cancel it. I was super bummed that I didn’t get to purchase this journal and some picky bars. Luckily, I got my Oiselle order in. I can’t wait for my mac jacket!
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Mine is Explore, Dream, Discover…it’s also our family mantra. It can be taken literally and lead you to travel to new places and visit new countries, or you can explore different race distances and training programs and discover you are stronger than you think, or you can explore your mind and heart and discover why you feel the way you do about things/people/social issues/relationships, and Dream…about everything. I dream about what my daughter will be when she grows up, I dream about running some of my bucket list races, I dream about running my first full marathon, about my perfect job, traveling and on and on.
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My life motto is , “Be the Change”. It is a shortened version of Gandhi’s famous quote but just those three words remind me to be effective in this life. If I don’t like something or want to improve something, it’s up to me to make it happen!
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Love this! I have a BIA of my own and have recently started putting down my thoughts onto paper. So rejuvenating. My motto in life and in running is to “give it your all” and “try your best.”
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My running motto is “when your legs get tired, you must run with your heart” Whenever I’m towards the end of my run and i know i just have a little bit more to go my mind always drifts back to this saying and I think about how much i love to run and how strong it makes me inside and out!
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Just keep moving. Just keep moving. Kind of like Dori in Finding Nemo. :-)
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“You can’t outrun a bad diet.” Despite my efforts in trying. : )
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“Do what they say you can’t.” I’m an injury prone girl with some big running and triathlon dreams. People have told me my body was just not meant to run. Here’s to proving them wrong :)
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My motto is: Run with Patience the race that is set before you. Hebrews 12:1. Because whether running or life I want to start out too fast or I want to run someone else’s pace or “race” and I remind myself that no matter where I am in running or life – I need to run my own race.
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My motto came from I <3 to Run: I don't stop when I'm tired, I stop when I'm done. It is amazing how many times this little mantra has gotten me through things whether it is work related or a not-so-great run…
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I seem to repeat to myself “You got this” during races, to remind myself that I’m capable of almost anything. One word I live by, however, is “quest,” and I have it tattooed on my foot in Farsi. I chose it because I felt it was all-encompassing, a reminder to always keep living life to the fullest. A quest for knowledge, a quest for adventure, a quest for a personal best…it’s sort of nerdy, but it’s so me!
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My mantra is “I am the hero of my own story.” This motivates me in both training and races!
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Mine is GRATITUDE. I am so lucky to have the time, ability, and desire to run and stay healthy, and I never want to take it for granted.
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One thing I think a lot about during running and life was said by my yoga teacher. “Where does your mind go when things get difficult?” This reminds me to feed the soul with love, hope, strength, and not to let fear or negativity take over.
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ooh, so fun! mine is believe as well. it’s on my endorphin warrior bracelet. i’ve got to BELIEVE that i am capable of anything i put my mind to!
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My motto — stay humble, stay hungry.
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My motto is “no shortcuts” you’ll never get anywhere taking the easy way out. My mantra when things get thought is “just keep running” said in the voice of dory from finding nemo :)
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Tim Gunn’s phrase, “Make it Work”, I would say is my go-to phrase in every situation. By day, I’m an event planner, so make it work actually defines what I do on a daily basis. By night, I’m an endurance athlete, where again, “make it work” ends up being the difference in gaining something each time I train versus not. (Mile repeats in the only 45 minute window for the day to train? No problem – make it work! Drizzly on a ride? Race day sometimes brings bad weather, so learn from it, adjust the workout and make it work! Mental block in the pool? Make it work by turning it into a drill day!) Make it work reminds me to stop the downward mental spiral I might get in, pull my head up and objectively look at the situation and decide what I am going to learn from the event. Whether work, life or training…there’s no reason to get upset and panic, just stay calm, make it work and all will turn out ok!!
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My motto is “small successes are better than big failures.” I’ve always had a tendency to try to change everything at once so I always have to slow down and remind myself to focus on the little things.
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My motto in life, running, everything, is “Work Hard”. I know that if I work hard and give 100% to everything I do, that I cannot be disappointed in myself with any outcome. I do the best I can everyday, in every task. And sometimes my best isn’t enough, but I know that I’m doing all that I can.
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I have been wanting one of these so hard, and MY BIRTHDAY IS FRIDAY! So pls skew the “random” drawing in my favor.
I have a different running motto from life motto but I guess my life motto is applicable to running too. I’m not an alcoholic (promise), never have been, but I really love the Serenity Prayer (“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change… etc). When I’m racing or just struggling through a tough workout, I tell myself “strong, fast, brave” (or “strong, fast, beautiful,” if I’m feeling particularly shitty about my looks that day!). It usually drags me out of the pain place!
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Love this! Phil 4:13 is my motto!!
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“Don’t think, just run.” For all of this *ahem* nutcase runners, raises hand proudly.
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Imperfect Progress! I use this quote from Lysa TerKeurst. I use this in my active and personal life. Love it!
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So many of them – but the one written on a post-it at my desk is “FAILURE DOESN’T SUCK.”
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I’m not sure if this is so much a motto as it is a kick in the pants, but I am the type of person who backs away from something overwhelming, so when I start a race or long run and I am at mile 2 of 26, I tell myself, “You’re in it.” I just keep reminding myself I’m in it now, and I have to see it through. Whether its difficult or easy, I’m in it, so finish strong. It’s actually pretty calming. I breath easier almost immediately.
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Mine is also, Just Run. A lot of times I have to just go out and run and stop worrying about cr@p like, how fast I’m going, or how far, or shaving off seconds, or whatever. Sometimes it’s just important to go out there and do it.
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I love the saying, “run your day or let the day run you” I’ll repeat it throughout a run too, it helps me conquer my fears or fatigue during a run.
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Mine is “Finish stronger than you started!” This gets me through a lot.
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My motto is “Beast Mode” I even bought a top that says it. Even when I’m not feeling very Beastly. Just thinking Beast Mode makes me think I am Beast. haha.
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My first ever mantra during my first half was “you are stronger than you think”, and I still come back to that when I’m taking on a new challenge or goal.
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Be thankful.
Thankful I can run because there are so many people in the world who would give anything to do what I sometimes have to talk myself into. Thankful that I have someone in my life to bicker with. Thankful for fat pants because it means I am well fed. Thankful for chores to do because it means I have a roof over my head. Thankful for good runs because it means I am fit. Thankful for hard runes because it means I’m getting stronger.
Well, at least I try to always remember this!
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Mine is: “I am a badass”. That’s it.
I’ve had more injury time than running time in my life. Just be patient, your body will heal. And you’ll come back stronger than before.
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Mine is “you’re stronger than you think” — although I recently stole “I own this shit” from a teeny tiny Olympic diver and now it’s my favorite. Gets right to the heart of it, I think.
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DREAM: Because I am learning how to let myself dream big. Because I can’t be afraid of going after my dreams. Because I have to work hard to accomplish my dreams. So dream is my motto/mantra.
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“Be a badass”
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My life motto is “Let Go and Let GOD” because really when it comes down to it; we are not the ones in control, He is. He seems to be taking unworthy guys out of my life too – relationship wise. I tend to worry a lot about things that don’t matter, so this quote always puts me back in perspective.
Such a great giveaway – can’t wait to see who the winner is! I am very type-A that likes to write things down constantly, so this giveaway would be perfect! :)
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My motto is “run fearless.” I originally applied it to just running, but I’ve learned I have to run fearless through life as well in order to live each day to the fullest :)
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You Can Always Do More! It helps me to refocus and remember that I always have more in me than I think I do.
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“Everything for a reason” — helps me keep perspective and look at the big picture instead of getting bogged down in details
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I have several printouts posted on my bedroom wall: “All things are possible with God” “yesterday you said today” “someone busier than you is running right now”
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Everything happens for a reason :)
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Mantra?? I keep having different ones. Sometimes it’s “don’t be a pussy” other times its “I run this body” totally stolen from http://www.mileposts.com but I love it!
Sorry to hear about your leg. I’ve been stalking you since Eugene because I did Eugene and had really bad shin splints then and now with CIM same kind of freaking thing. So fusterating! Bla bla bla. I hear ya. Anyway to late now, right? See ya in 6 days
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My mantra is “THIS SHOULD BE FUN!!.” If I am totally hating on a workout, hurting, or wishing I’d rather do something else in a major way I sideline my run for the moment. Running is my de-stressor so if it is making things worse I’m being counterproductive : )
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My training/life/relationships motto is “You get what you put in.” If i don’t put in my long runs and speed work outs, I can’t expect to magically get faster and finish a full marathon out of no where. I apply this to friendships and marriage as well, if I don’t spend time and put energy into my relationships then there’s no way they can last and grow.
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“if it were easy, it wouldn’t mean the same” I think about it every time I am debating skipping a workout, having a hard race or just getting out of bed. That and “stop wishing, start doing.” They both motivate me to keep pushing myself!
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life is good — that’s my life motto, and i find myself saying and thinking it all the time. comes from my dad, who says it all the time, too! i have so much to be thankful for, even in relative low points remembering that does a lot to lift my mood.
thanks for the giveaways, sarah!
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Mine is “never give up”. I apply it in all aspects of life quote well but it’s always a little lacking in the running area as I always find myself ending runs early or not going out for them at all. I need to be better about that..
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My one-word motto is also BELIEVE, but I also remind myself over and over “You are stronger than you think you are”- it keeps me moving when I just want to sit down on the side of the road/trail and pushes me past what I thought my limit was in the final mile(s) of a race. I’ve historically been a very self-deprecating person (constantly apologizing for everything)- this reminds me that I am strong emotionally and it’s ok to be me- even when that makes me different from the “crowd”. :)
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“It won’t get easier if you give up trying” is my mantra. For those times you really want to give up or curse at how difficult things can I just think of how if I take a break or take it easy things won’t get easier they’ll actually only get harder! If you want it to feel easier you have to work harder :)
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Mine is to stay mentally strong. I sometimes get worried/concerned that I ‘can’t’ and that’s an issue. Need to stay strong in the head to stay strong in the body!
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Right now I have two!
The first is “choose not to settle”. Settling is easy in life and in running. I like to remind myself to make the choice not too. Don’t settle for the relationship thats just blah, don’t settle for the pace that feels comfortable.
The second is “way too strong to back down now”. When I need that extra push.
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Dream big.
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My motto is “just keep running” usually sung to the tune of the “just keep swimming” song from finding nemo. it helps at the end of long runs when I feel like I’m going to die. :)
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RUN FEARLESS. My mind talks too much too. This reminds the doubting voices in my head to shut up when they need to.
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Oooh this journal is on my Christmas list! My training mantra is “Possibility.” Every run, every race is open to a hundred possibilities and it’s up to you to explore them to have the best race you can.
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Endure is mine!!! I love a training journal and quickly become obsessed with it.
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“It does not matter how slow you go, as long as you dont stop” Confucius
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If it were easy everyone would be doing it– there are so many quotes but this one always keeps me motivated. When I feel like I want to slack off on a training run or not give my best efforts I tell myself that it’s not supposed to be easy and that it will feel a million times better when i reach my goals!
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Love love love this journal!! Mine is NOW. I constantly try to remind myself to live in the now or do something now. No need to live in the past or put something off.
Fingers crossed!!
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You got this!
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My motto is “look at the big picture.” I tend to be a control freak and have to often remind myself to look beyond the little details that might not go my way. It works with running and it works with life!
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Mine is “breathe,” because focusing on breathing always helps, and it gives me something to focus on in the last few miles of a tough race.
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Mine is “go fight win”! It’s silly and happy! Plus it really does help me get out the door!
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My motto is “never settle!” For running, personal life, anything. Everyone deserves to be the happiest & best versions of themselves they can be. :)
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Amen, sister!!!
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For my first (and so far only) tri I tried different sayings, and the one that stuck was “I won’t regret this tomorrow” unlike other things in life none of my atletic pursuits will be things that I look back on wish I never did. That 3rd or 4th beer maybe, but not running.
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Pain is temporary, pride is forever.
*After all those miles, the finish and the way you feel after such an accomplishment out ways the pain! The pain will pass!
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“When things are tough, you are tougher” – Chrissie Wellington
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I like this one!
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My life/training motto is summon the will to fight. It applies to all aspects of life & reminds me to never give up
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I feel like I have two mottos; the first is that “one day, you will not be able to do this. Today is not that day”. I read that on a different blog once, and it really stuck with me. When I don’t want to run, I just remember that some day I will wish more than anything that I could get out there and run, so I might as well get it all in now.
The other is the good old, “pain is temporary. quitting is forever’. There is nothing I hate more than being a quitter, so I try to try remind myself that in a little while, I will be done and it won’t hurt anymore. :-)
This is an awesome giveaway!
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“The Edge… there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.”
Hunter S. Thompson
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I love the quote “The journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step.” It applies to my running as well as so many other aspects of my life.
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My mantra is “there is magic in misery”… Reminds me what we can accomplish when we are hurting and tired- perfect for marathons!
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My motto this year became just as simple as, “Be Randee.” I am listening to my head and my heart and am making decisions that support who I am and who I want to be. Having those in sync and just being myself has been incredibly freeing. And a bit challenging. One of my first decisions to “be Randee” was to train for an Ironman distance triathlon next October. Sounds crazy for someone who hasn’t even completed in one and just loves to run, but when I decided to cross train for a calf injury (hello anterior tibialis), I couldn’t give it up. I turned the injury into a major turning point and for some reason, I absolutely know I can do this.
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Mine is also “believe.” When my running gets hard I try to remind myself how far I’ve come and to believe that I will meet my goals.
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Mine is “believe” as well. Believe in who you are, what you’ve done, & where you can go. Can’t wait to see the other 4 days!
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Pick up, Move On, and Stop Doubting Yourself. Its so easy to get inside your own head sometimes, start doubting, and completely stop yourself from reaching your potential. Awesome journal. :)
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ahhhhh i have wanted this for so long!
i like to remember that life is 99% what you make of it. and that i will never regret a run :)
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obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal
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“Never Give Up”. It means a lot when when doubt starts to creep in. I have been eyeing these journals. They look really cool but too cheap to splurge on myself right now.
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“Dig Deep!” I heard it during my first marathon and it has always stuck with me. No matter how hard a race or workout is, you can always dig a little deeper and do your best.
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mine is “one mile at a time”… just handle what you’ve got right in front of you – whether it is today or the next hill. you will get through it, just one mile at a time.
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I’d love to have one of these journals! Such a great idea! My motto is “live in this moment.” It’s easy to get so caught up in what you want to do in the future that you forget to enjoy the now.
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“I can’t do this but I’m doing it anyway.” The logical part of my brain always tells me that I SHOULD need to stop/go slower/etc., and this reminds me that I’m doing it whether or not my brain thinks I can.
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My mantra…DO THE WORK!
Whether you’re talking about job stuff, relationships, or sweaty goals, there are no shortcuts. You just have to suck it up and put in the time and effort to make it happen.
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My motto comes from (I think) good old honest Abe Lincoln, “Whatever you are, be a good one.” It reminds me to constantly put forth my best effort in whatever I’m doing. Even if that just means making the next step be the best one I can take at that moment.
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Mine is…”How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” All too often, I want the quick satisfaction/payoff. This phrase reminds me to put in the work one day, one hour, one minute at a time.
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I hope there is still time to reply. I just ran my first half marathon on thanksgiving and I found myself saying, “just keeping going” during the final mile and a half. I just focused on my training and all the work I had put in. I finished with a 1:58, my goal was to run it under 2 hours.
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“Suck it up.” I can be whiny and there’s always a good excuse not to do things, but I’m always happier when I don’t play the avoidance dance.
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My motto is short like yours: “Hope.” I think it anchors the soul and keeps me moving forward and working hard in all areas of life.
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My life motto is “think positive”. When I am having a bad day, I try to think of something that makes me happy to pull me out of my crappy mood.
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“Stay on your own mat.”
This is something an instructor said during yoga class, and I find it very helpful, when I start to stress about looking dumb, being less flexible than other people, or something totally unrelated to yoga, to bring my mind back to my body on my mat. I apply it metaphorically while running: stay here, now, in this step, on this hill, not in the part of the run that’s over or the part that’s yet to come, not on anyone else’s speed or form or existence. And, really, anytime I’m stressing about what other people or doing, or the future, or the past, I try to take a deep breath and remind myself: just stay here, on this mat, in this moment.
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Dream, love, live
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I love that journal! I recently bought one for my running partner (and friend) for her birthday. I would love to have one, too.
My motivating motto, as generic as it is, is “Do your best.” It fits everything and it’s all that anyone can ask of oneself.
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Hmmm how a about “Big hill = small ass”
No, but really… I’d say my go to mantra is “Can’t stop, won’t stop.” It speaks to me. ESPECIALLY during a race.
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