Having A Positive Outlook About Fitness

"We hope you enjoy this guest blog from Garmin Ambassador Carlee McDot.”

Running makes me happy. I started running about three and a half years ago. At that time, my husband had hobbies that he enjoyed doing {i.e. art, motorcycles, surfing, etc}, but I didn't really have anything I could call my own. A friend challenged me to try running (by talking me into signing up for a half marathon at Disneyland – I mean, shoot, even if I hated running, at least I was doing it at the “happiest place on earth”) and I guess you can say it stuck

Since I never got into running because I was fast or had any type of natural ability, it has been easy for me to run just for the love of it. Don’t get me wrong, running is tough (although, I do have to say, it is much easier to STAY in shape than to GET in shape – so stick with it if you are still going through the tough, sucky part), but I always try to keep a smile on my face. With all the time we spend out on the road, pounding the pavement, it better be something I enjoy or else it’s not worth wasting my time.

Now, with that being said, just because I run to make my soul sing does NOT mean that I don’t want to get faster, stronger, better and #BeatYesterday, it just means that I know the time on my Forerunner 220 isn’t the end-all-be-all. I am currently training to catch that elusive Boston Qualifying marathon time, but even if I don’t hit it I will always be thankful for the finish lines (and, better yet, that I have had the courage to toe the starting line in the first place). 

I am often complimented on my positive outlook and happy attitude, which 95% of the time is completely real and honest. I mean, I found something that makes my heart smile and have had the ability to see some amazing places and meet some awesome folks because of it. But, when the tough gets going, it is great to have some encouragement in your back pocket. A few things that work for me are positive mantras, wearing encouragement, and the running community! 

Hear me out, just because running is my jam, doesn’t mean it is necessarily everyone else’s – I get that. You need to find what makes YOUR heart happy and do THAT! Maybe it’s cycling or kickboxing or swimming or CrossFit. Whatever it is, do it and do it with a smile on your face!  

“There will be a day when I can no longer run, but today is not that day.” And until that day comes, you better believe I will be out there making the best of every mile. 

 Read more about Carlee at CarleeMcDot.Com. Follow Carlee’s running journey on Twitter and Instagram: @CarleeMcDot

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