keep showing up
I've signed up for a half marathon on the island of Inis Mor, in just over a week, without much training for this at all, insane right?
Not much of a training plan well practically none whatsoever, yet it was something I wanted to do, for a great cause in the Mater Hospital Foundation and looked like a great venue to do this on (depending of course on the Irish weather), but to me it looked and sounded like fun (ask me this at the end of it)
But of course, what the weather will be like is nothing I can control, all I can control is myself and my actions, my mindset, my belief in my ability, and remembering all of the above, my why, the location, and the people funds raised will help, and the people's stories I will get to hear over those 3 days.
All I have to do is Show UP.
This, is a phrase I use weekly within the run group I am involved in, when I say involved I mean I coach (I use that term loosely) but I show up every week and daily in the WhatsApp group to help and support where I can. These amazing people are the highlight of my week, seeing how they all just continuously Show up, and better themselves even by just 1% week on week.
To tell you the truth there isn't much coaching with that, when people are determined to better themselves, for themselves and one another, similar to those who Show Up to therapy, once they arrive then it is about doing the work and showing up outside of the therapy room.
A phrase that is commonly used within the group is "I wasn't in the mood to go out, then reading the messages made me put my runners on and get out" This is showing Up.
When promoting this group I say the easy part is saying “I will be there”, because I get lots of messages like that, the hardest part is showing up.
But once you do, then it is about how else can I show up, can I show up and do the best run I can, can I get out during the week and try to go a little further than before, take fewer breaks, get out for extra runs and not just for the group, but for me?
How do I feel on completion, how will I feel after running my first 5k, How many times have I thought to myself I could never do that, ever (what was)? And now I have achieved it (what is) and what is next (what now), I'll tell you what now, 2 weeks after doing a 5k they are doing 8,9, and even 10k runs... yes 2 weeks later.
That is called showing up.
And it is not just about running, showing up to work, and putting in the graft to get a project over the line, or showing up for yourself if you are in a job you do not like and searching for one that you will look forward to going to each day.
Showing up as a parent in the mornings before school/work, and again at the end of the day, being able to let go of work or other outside difficulties to show up again.
Showing up within your relationship, making time for uncomfortable conversations that need to be had, showing up when in one another's company and not being glued to your phone or distractions.
But most of all showing up for yourself, means you are increasing that self-worth, you are showing up to do something for yourself to make you feel better and once you do, then others had better show up too, for these are the standards you set, and that is making the choices of who we have in our lives are those who make it a better place.
So, I will show up to that half marathon a lot differently than perhaps I would have done a year ago, come to think of it a year ago I wouldn't have shown up at all because I would have thought I couldn't do that, I won't be able to do that in a certain amount of time, Ill be so slow, I'll need to walk most of it so what's the point, and plenty more such excuses. Comparing myself and my time to those who trained and are competent runners.
But now, I'll just Show up, and if that means showing up walking, running, crawling, talking, helping, struggling, and using my own words in saying it is not a race it is a community, and for those, I will Show up, and they will be with me every step of that 21km.
What are you going to Show Up to do today?
As always thanks for reading.
Marcus.