Make Your Own Zone

In our SWEAT class, we did a barbell workout comprised of 5 rounds of 12 deadlifts, 9 power cleans, and 6 push presses. After the main workout, we always do what we call a JFF or 'Just For Fun' where we might do 100 sit-ups or maybe run 400m or something, just to finish things off. Today, I had the class run 1200m as their JFF, and they ran it as they always do, with only a minimal amount of humorous complaining. They're a tough bunch, our SWEAT ladies, and I can always count on them to inspire me.

I seldom work out with the class, preferring to spend that time coaching them instead, then I do my workout alone after they leave. Often, depending on my goals, I might do a completely different workout, but today, I chose to do the same workout as the class. It was a stinker, and although not my best performance, I felt pretty solid throughout. Decent. When the time came for me to do the JFF, I decided to challenge myself by carrying a 20 pound medicine ball on my shoulders for part of the run. I wasn't sure how far I would get, but figured it might be fun to do, regardless.

For those of you who have never done such a thing, I'll tell you right now, that it can be a challenge. At least, it was for me. I switched the medicine ball from shoulder to shoulder about every 15 yards or so, and focused on continuous movement. I didn't want to stop, but whew...it was rough. I managed one lap before fatigue won out and I dropped off the ball so I could continue the other two laps.

After the barbell workout and the medicine ball run, I was feeling it. I was tired, and my feet were shuffling as I ran. I had barely started on that part of the run and I found myself thinking that I probably wouldn't make it. Bleh. Just...bleh. I felt unmotivated and slow, and started working my way down a mental spiral that might have had me quit at any moment.

"Man, I wish I was in The Zone." The thought popped into my mind unbidden. The Zone. That state of being where all of your cylinders are firing, your body feels strong and quick, and your mind is ready for anything. It's an awesome place, The Zone, and great things happen there. And boy, I certainly felt myself to be in the place that was farthest from it at that moment. Bleh. A half a mile seemed like a cross-country trek.

Hot on the heels of that thought and its rather depressing follow-up, I realized something important. The Zone is simply a state of mind. It doesn't exist anywhere else. What happens to the body when you're there is simply the result of what your mind is telling it to do. No one can show you where that Zone is, it's created by you, for you, as a result of your mind and body working together. It's all yours. It's YOUR Zone. And consequently, maybe I could create it myself. "Yeah," I thought. "I need to make my own Zone instead of all this whining and crying that's going on in between my ears right now."

Those words were almost like magic. Make your own Zone. I started chanting that phrase to myself as I ran. My breathing smoothed out. My pace increased. All the nonsense that had been in my head just floated away. The remainder of that short run flew by, and I felt a thousand times better.

The most powerful tool we have is the mind. I've made a lot of progress in using mine better, but I know I have a long way to go. I do know that, if I keep exercising my will and my mind, if I keep training it to be positive and determined, then I'll make more progress in every area of my life.

And you can too. Find your Zone. Make it yourself. And see what great things you can accomplish.

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