Remember the Three Rs

Gabe, pictured right, at the start line of the MOTR 10K

Guest post by Moms on the Run Coach Gabe Cox

Have you ever hit a goal, basked in that glory, but soon after found yourself in a weird funk, feeling lost and not knowing what to do about it? Those of us in the northern states are almost to the finish of our signature 18-week season, and I know many of you are hitting goals you have set for yourselves this summer. Way to stick to them!

There are times after we hit our goals we don’t really know what to do next. That’s why it’s important to remember the 3 Rs after accomplishing a goal and before embarking on a new one.

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​I learned these steps the hard way after qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon in 2016. It was a goal I had worked toward for years, so my focus, my training, and a part of my life were all dedicated to seeing it through. After the race was over, and I was back home, I started feeling down. I was in a funk because I never really thought past running Boston. I had no immediate goals, no motivation, and my morale sunk a bit low. Can you relate?

What’s Your Plan?
​A follow-up plan is necessary to ensure we don’t sink into a funk once we reach our initial goal. We’ve put much of our focus and work toward seeing our dream to fruition, so it’s natural to feel lost once we reach our destination. We wonder what’s next because we never thought that far ahead. As I reflected on my disposition after Boston, I formulated a plan to never let that happen again. I refer to these steps as the 3 Rs:

1. Recharge: Recover and Refuel
2. Reset: Set a New Goal
3. Restart: Get Going Again

Step 1: Recharge
Once you achieve your goal, it’s time to recharge. Maybe you finished your first race. Maybe you completed a new distance. Maybe you went after a specific finish time. After you diligently work toward those goals, burn-out can happen, and your body and mind need time to recover and rest.

During the recharge you want to focus on three areas: refueling your mind, body, and spirit. In essence, you are settling in to get ready to launch again.

Refueling your mind is essential because, when a goal is complete, doubt can still creep in and try to take you out. Don’t just stop when you reach your goal. You need to take time to recharge your mind and keep things positive. Our minds are like a computer, and we need to continually program them to think the way we want. What we put in is what will come out.

Refueling your body is just as crucial. If you finished a marathon, part of recharging is ensuring you’re replenishing the nutrients that depleted during your run. You don’t want to deprive your body of the nutrients and vitamins it needs to stay healthy and strong. A marathon takes pretty much all the fuel you have, so naturally it needs to be replaced.
Maybe you needed to sacrifice sleep for a period of time. You were running on just a few hours of sleep a night so you could have the time to get your training in. Your body physically needs a period of rest.
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Recharging our spirit is necessary as well. Our spirit is where our passion sprouts. It’s where we find our hope and drive. Our giftings come from our spirit, and we need to be protective of that. We need to take time to reflect on how we got to our goal. What did it take to accomplish it? Was there any sacrifice involved? Did we learn anything through it? How did we grow?

Step 2: Reset
After you hit a goal, it’s time to reset. In essence, reset means finding a new goal. It’s important to reset because without a goal, there is no purpose or drive, and it can create a negative effect.

Like I shared earlier, after I ran the Boston Marathon for the first time, I didn’t take the time to reset and consequently spiraled down into a form of depression. I had worked so hard toward that goal. The training was grueling. That specific goal was on my mind all the time. It wasn’t my life, but it was a close second. There was great sacrifice to see it through. I lived and breathed getting to that finish line. Achieving the goal was a culmination of years of training. After it was all said and done, I was kind of lost. Without purpose, there isn’t passion. If we don’t reset and decide what comes next, then we are prone to complacency.

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Step 3: Restart
It’s ok to take time to recharge and celebrate a victory, but once we refuel and reset with a new mission, it’s time to get going again! A goal isn’t accomplished solely by thinking about it. We need to put our plan into motion and get to work. A goal is simply a wish without a plan and action to back it up.

Our journey is never finished. We hit a goal and move onto the next, and it’s a stairway that leads to our larger pursuits or calling. We need to be willing to continually make the climb.
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And that climb is more fun in a group! Being in a community like Moms on the Run, where your highs and lows are celebrated and processed, is important to any goal. With community comes support, encouragement, and accountability. Your Moms on the Run tribe will keep you going when you feel like quitting, and they won't let you stay where you're at. 

FINAL STRETCH
After we accomplish a goal, and after the celebration is over, we need to remember the 3 Rs: Recharge, Reset, Restart. Each step is a necessity after a victory. Don’t leave one of them out. All three work together to set you up for your next success. Remember to lean on your Moms on the Run tribe, as they can be your biggest support as you go through the three Rs. You are a winner. Run YOUR race!

Gabe Cox is an author, speaker, and Moms on the Run coach. She is passionate about helping others overcome their mental barriers so they can run their best race, live their best lives, and achieve their dreams. Learn more at www.redhotmindset.com.

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