A short post today, written more for my own benefit than anyone else…

I’m flagging. I’m having a bit of a wobble. Nothing major, just a bit of a wall, and as I’m sure all you runners can attest, a wall can be overcome with determination and the willingness to feel the burn. And boy is it burning. No, I’ve not run my first marathon, I’m knackered because of life in general. Masters Degrees are hard work – who knew??

So, in an effort to motivate myself, I’ve turned to our beloved world of Women in Sport for some motivation, inspiration and perspiration. Time to keep my chin up and power though. I hope they might bring a bit of light to anyone else who might be in need of it too 🙂

1. “Whoever said, ‘It’s not whether you win or lose that counts,’ probably lost.” – Martina Navratilova

You said it Martina! I’ve got one chance to get this degree and do well in it, I sure as hell am not about to lose out by not getting the best possible marks I can.

2. “The female body is a masterpiece. Everyone likes to look at the female body, especially in dynamic, athletic sport.” – Natalie Cook

Hell yeah they do, Natalie! I might have a lot on my plate at the moment with not a lot of time for sport, but I’ve got three weeks of Insanity workouts left to go and that time has been carved out as sacred me-time. I am going to make every minute of it count.

3. “Fitting in is boring. But it takes you nearly your whole life to work that out.” – Clare Balding

My Irish parents use a wonderful expression to describe someone who is incomparable: “She’s herself”. Sometimes it’s a good thing and sometimes it’s not, but either way I try to always be just that: myself. Also, someone make Clare Balding Prime Minister. So wise.

4. “They may become harder to achieve, but your dreams can’t stop because you’ve hit a certain age or you’ve had a child” – Dara Torres

If you are one of my parents, or my boyfriend, don’t panic, I’m not preggers. But I am now closer to 30 than I am to 20. When that tiny little doubt sneaks in to my brain, that I’m too old to start again and do something completely different with my life,  I make myself remember that I’d rather be chasing a dream than living a nightmare.

5. “Belive me, the reward is not so great without the struggle” – Wilma Rudolph

I do believe you, Wilma, and that’s why I’m going to try harder to embrace and enjoy the struggle.

There you have it ladies, fill yer boots! We run this mother (- bonus advice from Queen Bey there)