Better Today Than Yesterday

As I continue my journey of training for a half marathon on April 30th, I realize more each week that I must listen to my body. After a week in Breckenridge of not feeling well and not training at all, I came home and ran 6 miles. It wasn’t pretty, but not too bad overall. I followed my training program the following week and felt pretty good. I did my long run of 7 miles outside, driving to a nearby town where the terrain is flat and there are sidewalks. I felt safer, but did a lot more walking than I wanted. But at least I logged the 7 miles.

Starting the next week, I took an extra rest day (I listened to my body!), and my next run I felt great! Yippee!! The words of my title “better today than yesterday” kept repeating themselves in my head. It became my new mantra that has gotten me through a few more workouts, and I think I will keep this thought as I continue my training.

But these words have so much more meaning than just for running and training. They can be really meaningful in everyday life, in how I treat others and in practically every activity. I like having goals for myself, and this is a new one I can adopt.

I suspect that many of you who read this are working towards goals – whether they be related to exercise or running, family relationships, work/career-based, and even our clients at Push to Walk and how they approach their workouts and everyday challenges. If we do our best everyday, but strive to do better than yesterday, we can achieve our goals and find success. If we can support each other in working on and reaching our goals, the results can be AWESOME!!

If you have a mantra of your own that works for you, please share! One of the ways I get through my long runs is to focus on a thought and “go deep” on it for each individual mile. The more ideas and positive motivation I have in my head while running the better!

Make today better than yesterday!!

Love Cynthia

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That’s Life………

Hello Everyone,

I know I’ve been out of touch for quite awhile, caught up in busy days and never enough time to do everything I want to…….

The last few weeks have been tough, but this morning, Frank Sinatra’s words found their way into my head, and I knew it was a sign to write a blogpost!

With a computer hard drive crash, a big project getting derailed and my son not feeling well (always a concern of us Moms!), I was frustrated, disappointed and not feeling so optimistic. But here’s the thing – I’ve got to keep going! These things are all pretty small in the big picture; I just have to convince myself to keep a reasonable perspective and get on with life. So perhaps reading, typing and re-reading these words will help me – and maybe even you, too, if you are dealing with something difficult in your life:

I've been up and down and over and out and I know one thing

Each time I find myself flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race

That’s life
(That’s life)

Here’s to a better day RIGHT NOW!

Cynthia

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The Dennis Walters Golf Show – September 24 in NJ

Please join us!!

As part of Push to Walk’s 5th Annual Charity Golf Outing, we have invited Dennis Walters to perform his golf show at Crystal Springs Golf Resort in Hamburg, NJ on Monday, September 24th. This is a show not to be missed! An hour long combination of golf, entertainment and inspiration, it is sure to be enjoyable for everyone who attends. There is no charge to attend the show, which will be at 11:30 am.

It is important for Push to Walk to tie in our mision to each special event we hold during the year. And since this is our 5th annual golf outing, we thought it especially important to add a little somethinge extra to our outing – both to celebrate the 5th year and as a special thank you to those people who have supported us and enabled us to help so many people with spinal cord injuries live more healthy, independent and productive lives.

Dennis Walters sustained a spinal cord injury in 1974, and was determined to continue his dream of playing golf. The show he has developed and travels around the country performing provides him the opportunity to entertain others with an inspirational message. This performance is one of only four appearances in New Jersey this year. Please plan to attend, bring a few friends and enjoy a golf show with a special message. We’re sure you won’t be disappointed!

Check out his website, story and videos: www.denniswalters.com.

To see all the details about our golf outing on Monday, September 24, click here!

If you have any questions about the outing or the show, please contact Stephanie at slajam@pushtowalknj.org. Thanks!

Please note that Push to Walk will be closed on Monday, Sept 3rd for Labor Day. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

Cynthia

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Just Do It!

After a busy weekend, and one that included a HUGE Super Bowl win for the Giants and two great wins for the Devils, I have to admit I’m not feeling very inspired or creative for my blog this morning. So this title refers to me as much as others! I had to sit and write this entry, so the “just do it” motto applies to all of us at one time or another! And while it might seem cliche or overused, the simple slogan really has some merit and applies to SO many people and situations.

I checked some of my regular sites for inspiration, and it didn’t take me long to find something on the Reeve Foundation website. I read about a woman (Saralee Perel) who wrote how she was inspired to do one small thing which had big consequences and positive results.  The old movie “City Slicker” encouraged her to do just one thing, keep it simple, and take charge. You can read her story at http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.7958339/k.6979/The_First_Step_is_Not_About_Walking.htm.

Saralee’s writing reminded me of a relatively new client we have at Push to Walk. A young man of thirty-something, he came to us two years after sustaining a spinal cord injury from a motorcycle accident. Depressed, frustrated, angry and upset are some of the words he has used to describe himself. Now coming for regular exercise workouts, he is starting to feel better both physically and emotionally. His fragile sense of self is still challenged every day, but little by little, he is starting to have more good days than bad. With a strong family to support him, he is starting to engage more in life. He has joined Team Walk to Push for the upcoming NJ Marathon, and has undertaken a fund raising campaign to help himself, Push to Walk, and Dr. Wise Young’s Clinical Trials for an SCI cure. Having a goal that is outside the borders of always being focused on yourself is a huge step after sustaining a spinal cord injury. I commend this person for making the decision to come to Push to Walk, see what we have to offer and throwing himself into an effort to make himself feel better, in several different ways.

Sometimes, the idea of “just do it,” sounds too big, too scary, too overwhelming. What have you been putting off? Start small, think positive and you will be amazed by the results!

Enjoy your day! Cynthia

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