Making Visualization a Reality

When I was in college, I needed a car.  I remember my Dad taking me to a used car dealership.  I'm sure it was filled with Fords, Chevys, Pontiacs, etc.  Tediously searching row by row, I saw reliable college cars, but nothing sparked my eye like that old, yet shiny red, 1987 Audi 4000s.  She was a beauty and I just knew she would be mine.

My dad strongly suggested other cars, but my mind was made up before we left the lot "to think about it".  I had to have THAT car.  Everything about her made me feel happy.  I knew a little sweet talking and number crunching was in order with my dad that night.  He didn't disappoint.  He never does.

After landing a sweet deal even my frugal father couldn't pass up, he helped me drive it off the lot the next day.  I never felt so happy to drive a car as I did this Audi.  Black leather seats, HEATED (perfect for Minnesota winters, where I attended college) and best of all, a sunroof!  I felt like a queen in this car!

I drove her for four memorable years and then we reluctantly parted ways in 1997 when I moved to Texas.  Since then, I've ALWAYS had the dream to drive another German car.  Maybe it is the German in my blood, but something about the way these cars are made and aesthetically look make me feel joy, comfort and happiness.

I'd settled for a Volkswagen...twice. That was economically the right choice for me at the time.  First a Jetta, then a Passat.  Good cars, but they didn't make me feel the way the Audi did.   So I started dreaming.  If that 1987 Audi made me feel like that, what would a BMW would feel like? GULP!

Remember last week when I talked about how to clearly visualize your future? You didn't think I'd stop with visualizing now did you? That's just beginning. The tough part is action. The fun part is making your vision a reality.

For the last 15 years, I cannot tell you how many times I visualized in my head how great it would be to own a Black BMW.  That same Audi feeling came over me every time I would see one.  I had several moments like the one below.  My conscious mind was visualizing that car and it kept showing up, teasing me, suggesting that I needed to get to work.  I needed to put my visualization into action.

This was a particular fun moment I couldn't resist capturing!

 

 

So I made a dream board (or vision board) about a year ago and decided to really put the thought of owning a Black BMW into my conscious mind!  I didn't know how I'd do it.  But I knew, that I would do it.  I didn't just dream anymore.  I got busy.

 

Every day...relentless.  Some days its a grind.  But if I want the things I have visualized for my future, I must put forth great effort.  I must align my values with my dreams and I must have genuine intentions for the things that I want to achieve. 

So when I got the call from the VW Dealership on Friday that the repairs on my current Passat would cost more than the car is worth, I got a little nervous.  You see, the deadline I had given for myself to achieve my BMW goal was June 2012.  Was I ready to make the plunge this soon?  Should I be achieving my goals early? Should I just be safe and get that Ford, Chevy or Pontiac or should I get what I have visualized for myself and what I have worked so hard for over the past year.

What do you think?  I'm ready for the car that parallels my life right now.  I'm not ready to purchase a Brand New Black BMW.  I never made that distinction.  But I am ready for a Used Black BMW.

So do you think that because of the vision I created, that it surprised me that the first two cars that became available on my internet search were Used Black BMWs?  Do you think I'm surprised when I test drove the car, I experienced that same exact feeling my old Audi had given back in college.  Do you think I'm surprised that the price was just right for where I am in my life today?

 

Visualize.  Work.  Achieve.

The keys to my 2007 Black BMW 328i

22 Miles to Glory

Yesterday was an amazing day for me!  A day of validation for all of my hard work over the past six months! 

I began my Saturday as I do every week.  The alarm jolted me at 3:30 a.m.  Drank my coffee, twice.  Inhaled my peanut butter and waffle.  Packed my bag, loaded the cooler with water and Gatorade, layered up for the brisk morning run and headed out to the lake.

It was our last really long run before my marathon in three weeks.  Twenty-two miles!  No excuses, no fear, no quitting.  I am taking charge of my plan by qualifying for the Boston Marathon and the only way to reach my goal is to fight through the pain, do the work and get to the finish line.

I've had some pains show up recently in my toe (you don't realize how important toes are until you run) and in my left hamstring.  It's normal. I've been pounding the pavement for weeks!  If all I have to endure is a little pain to experience the glory of finishing, then I'll deal with the slight discomfort.

We had a great run yesterday.  I went through phases of being energized, fatigued, recharged, down, and then euphoric when I finished.  It's hard to believe that five years ago, I had this dream to complete my first marathon.  I made a plan, I did the training for what I thought was an insurmountable goal and because I followed the course for success, I did it.  Now here I am today, getting ready to run my fourth marathon.

Before I didn't believe qualifying was doable for me.  Only fast people qualify.  I saw myself as average.  I was afraid to even label myself a runner.  But when I started to do the work, I started to believe that I was fast.  I believed I could reach any goal I set my mind to. When I allowed myself the permission to dream big, I saw myself for who I really was. I am a runner.  I am fast.  I am a Boston Marathon Qualifier.  I am and I will.

I didn't have much time for rest after my run.  Instead of an ice bath, which my muscles were screaming for, I propped myself on two ice cold water bottles for the ride home.  Ah...heaven.  You do what you gotta do!

I spent the afternoon attending Beachbody training and learned that the path I'm following in my life is so clear to me now.  I finally found the perfect avenue to motivate others, keep myself at my most optimal  health and pursue my ultimate goal of staying home full time as a mom.  I know I'll get there.  That I know for sure!

Oh...remember Billy?  We met up yesterday and took this photo together.  One year ago, Billy was sitting on the couch stuffing his face with pizza.  He was unhealthy and unhappy.  Today, thanks to P90X and incredible self-improvement, Billy is a half marathon finisher!  How awesome is that?

Turning Dreams Into Goals

I’m a firm believer in setting goals. I’ve done some research lately on how much more effective you become in achieving your goals if you physically write them down. Until you write them down, your goals are just a dream.

So let me take this opportunity to write down a very personal goal to me. It has been a dream of mine for as long as I've been running, although I felt it has always been somewhat unachievable. That is why today I am putting my my dream to paper and am setting my mind up to achieve this goal.



Qualifying to run the Boston Marathon is one of those bucket list items that most distance runners have.  Not just anyone can sign up to run Boston. That is the prestige and history behind the event. You must qualify by running under a certain time in another marathon. Your qualifying time is based on sex and age. The best part is that the older you get, the slower your qualifying time. Yet, another perk of getting older!

I turned 35 this past year, so I was granted an additional five minutes. Thank you marathons gods and goddesses! In other words, I have to run it in 3:45 or less. Or to all you running junkies, that’s an average 8:34 pace spread out over 26.2 miles. Writing it down is the easy part, implementing it is the challenge!

In the past, I guess you could say I had the goal to finish my marathons. Qualifying was not on the top on my list of goals. Even though I had that magical qualifying time looming in my head, I NEVER wrote it down and though I was successful in finishing all three times, I didn’t come close to qualifying.

I’ve given this some long, hard thought and I have envisioned every possible scenario of crossing the finish line in December.  Each vision has me finishing, arms in the air, with the magical time in bright lights blinking above my head. 

This is my year! If I’m good at one thing, it is working really hard on a physical level. I know my limits and love to go beyond them. I love to see what I can achieve when I set my mind to something.  The gratification of checking another item off ‘my list” is a moment I always cherish.

I just took a brief look at my closet and the very obvious fact remains that I run. And I’ve run a lot.

This is just the shoes I currently wear and those with sentimental value I simply cannot let go. 
It doesn't factor in the numerous pairs that have made their way to Goodwill.

I was going through some old running things and came across this checklist that I probably got at some race expo along the way. I didn't even know I had it.

 

But I would say I'm pretty good at following the rules.

Why would I invest so much time and money into something that I love so much and not ever give myself the opportunity to do the one thing that most runners dream to do?  I'm going to make my dream a reality.

What are your goals? Do you write them down?