<h2><strong>On the eve of a great battle... there is much to do.</strong></h2>
There are plans to be finalized and preparations to be made. Warriors must to gear up and mentally prepare for what they're about to do. <em><strong>Wait... wait...</strong></em> this seems a little... over the top... for a fitness blog.
<h3><strong>Is it, though?</strong></h3>
When we're about to take on a new phase of our journey... well... we're no different from those warriors. Instead of swords and shields, we're donning running shoes and a water bottle, or cross-trainers and a sweat towel. And yes, we ARE about to do battle... just in a different way. It's wholly appropriate to hunker down and view it as such in order to get your head right for what's to come. And that's exactly what I'm here to talk about... I don't know about YOU... but I'VE got something big coming this weekend...

<strong><em><span style="color: #ff0000;">For the full chat on this, the conversation with Katrina White (plus more!) check out the podcast episode on</span> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/so-this-is-fitness/id1185769801?mt=2&amp;ls=1">iTunes here</a><span style="color: #ff0000;">, on</span> <a href="http://subscribeonandroid.com/sothisisfitness.libsyn.com/rss">Android here</a><span style="color: #ff0000;">, or on the web player at the bottom of this post. </span></em><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #f54545;"><em>Don’t forget to hit “subscribe”!</em></span></strong>

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<h2><strong>Sometimes the enormity of our task doesn't occur to us.</strong></h2>
<h3><strong>Perhaps a "warrior's mindset" is appropriate, then.</strong></h3>
Just as it's important for the warrior to mentally prepare for the rigors of battle, and just as he's got no choice but to envision total victory... so too must you. When we're about to take on a new phase in our fitness journey, we HAVE to believe it's going to be successful. We MUST have confidence in our ability to succeed! And we simply CANNOT doubt ourselves. It's that simple. And that's the topic of discussion today, kids - how to handle yourself on the eve of battle. However hyperbolic that might sound.
<h3><strong>But what happens when it's a GOOD habit? Fitness or nutrition?</strong></h3>
All of a sudden... we're NOT crazy about going to the gym. All of a sudden... we're REALLY not that excited about getting out for a run. So what do you do? Do you just let it go like the other things you're... <em>not crazy about?</em>
<h3><strong>Not everyone does. Some people soldier on and do the thing.</strong></h3>
Just because you're not loving it doesn't mean you're just gonna <em>stop</em>. I mean, <em>come on</em>, I know I'm supposed to do this, I know it's good for me, I know it benefits me, and I know I'll feel better for having done it. I just... don't feel like it. So what? I don't feel like going to work today, but I did <strong>that</strong>. So yeah, I'm gonna keep going and doing it.
<h3><strong>Not everyone thinks that way, though.</strong></h3>
Unfortunately.... many people DO give up and let it go. That's why I see people vanish from the gym for months at a time. When you've lost the drive and motivation... it can be tough to get back into it. You've gotta build up the momentum and the mental drive to do the thing again. <em>That</em>, arguably, is the hard part. You've already been there and done it, so you know the thing itself... the gym, the running, the whatever... isn't the hard part.
<h2><strong>Sometimes you burn out.</strong></h2>
We all know how it goes - you went too hard, burned too bright, and now you just don't have it in you. <strong>You need a break.</strong> It happens. This is something a lot of us do with races. We work so hard, we prep, we train, then the race comes and we give it everything we've got... and at the end... there really is nothing left. And we fall off, hit post-marathon blues, just... drift away. Whatever the case may be.
<h2><strong>So... DO you FEEL it? Now?</strong></h2>
Do you feel that fire, that passion, right now? What's it focused on? Is it the running, the fitness, the healthy habits? If so... <em>good!</em> Ride that feeling, but harness it and channel it. Don't go too hard and burn it out. And if you <em>don't </em>feel it... try your hardest to get moving with the things you know you should. You'll be glad you did - trust me.
<h3><strong>What's in this episode:</strong></h3>
<ul>
 	<li>Our weekend working the Maine Coast Marathon</li>
 	<li>The accidental .5 mlie detour at that marathon</li>
 	<li>The difference between Trail/Ultra and Road runners</li>
 	<li>Do we take things a little too seriously?</li>
 	<li>DO You FEEL it?! And what happens... if you don't?</li>
</ul>
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