Push the Limits- and then Push Some More

I don’t consider myself a fast runner or a strong person. But to reach a goal I feel I must push myself to go a little harder or pick up a heavier weight or go a little farther when I exercise, even if I don’t think I’m quite ready.

Generally, I run at a 10-minute mile when training – what I consider an easy pace. But I push myself to get to 9-minute miles and 8:30 minute miles, as least for part of those runs, and maybe even 8-minute miles for a small portion of the run. It is pushing myself to make myself better.

Similarly, I shake up my strength training routine so I won’t do that same old exercises. But I am also making sure that I up the weights regularly. I don’t over do it when starting out, but I need to make sure that I’m not using a 3-pound weight, where a 5-8 pound weight is more appropriate.

I read this recently: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid presumes that “the human being is a wanting animal and rarely reaches a state of complete satisfaction except for a short time. As one desire is satisfied, another pops up to take its place. A satisfied need is not a motivator of behavior.”

This information only reinforces that I need to keep pushing myself and upping my speed, distance, and weights to accomplish “more” so I can be satisfied.

Today’s accomplishments: New DVD The Firm Body Sculpting System 2 Upper Body Sculpt – using 3-5-8 pound weighs and 12 pound body bar; un-calibrated Nike+ information: 2.52 miles, 20.55 mins 8.17 min/mile (most accurate = time).