Lately that is what has been going through my head while trying to do almost anything. Hang onto the barbell at the gym for one last lift, hang onto the momentum when I’m on a creative roll writing article for work, just hang on when we are onto the second page of math homework for the seven year old, just hang on as I come around the last corner for the final half mile home. When you are hanging on you know you are almost done. The home stretch. Those later miles of any race.
Hanging on is hard. Committing to finish something takes discipline. You need to practice discipline in order to have it there to call upon when you are reaching the end, of a long run or that last math problem on the homework. It is that feeling of pushing just a tiny bit more to finish, so that when you are in the real situation you know how to harness that feeling.
I’m aiming for a time goal in my next race that is a bit outside of my comfort zone. To reach that, I need to be running some specific workouts each week. Lately, I’ve been able to hit those goals with a bit of a push, uncomfortable, but doable. I find that I can hold off that “hang on” feeling further and further off in my runs. Which is a good thing. But, I am also realistic in knowing that training for a race takes months and some days are going to be better than others. I don’t skip training days, I do adjust for life-challenges, but I know I won’t accomplish my goals if I let go too much.
Hanging on can also be thought of as a negative. Like you aren’t going to make it, things are too overwhelming, too hard. They might be hard, and you might not get it on the first try, but how you react to letting go determines a lot. Am I going to be hard on myself for backing off my pace for a bit because I needed to get up that hill? Or am I going to think negatively about my kid because she whines about finishing page two of her math? No. Of course not. You take a deep breath, let go and then pick right back up again to give it another try.
As with anything hard, asking for help is the key to making it through the just hang on stage. Do you have a friend or running partner who knows your pace or style? How about a coach who can look at your training from a professional lens? Are you deep in training and not feeling well? So how about scheduling a visit with the appropriate medical professional?
Asking for help works in all places that just hang on feeling comes on in life. Laundry still in piles? Ask your kids to fold theirs. Multiple activities in multiple places? Ask a friend to take one kid home this week and next week bring hers home to return the favor. Overwhelmed with life in general? Don’t go it alone – reach out and ask for help.
I am not great asking for help. I admit it. But, I’m getting better. I am good at committing to a goal and setting a plan to reach that goal. If I was better at asking for help imagine how much easier hanging on would be. And, when you make it through that home stretch, hanging on to the last little bit, it feels amazing. Whether its the finish line chute or the neatly put away laundry, that big sigh of a weight being lifted when you’ve made it through the uncomfortable-ness of hanging on and reached your goal is the best.
