Stepping Outside of My Comfort Zone

Earlier this year, I decided it would be the “Year of Yes” (hey, Shonda!). I was already making a huge life change by starting a new business, so why not keep it up? I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions in the traditional sense (you can set goals at any time!). I do, however, love the holiday as motivation to take a minute to reflect on where you are with your goals.

Because starting Viva Wellness wasn’t enough for me, I decided to take some risks in my fitness life also. If we’ve never met, I’m a runner. I run a lot. To me it isn’t a lot, but other people keep telling me it is.

For my first five years of running, I’d always done the same thing. I figured out a plan that didn’t feel like it would ruin my chronic pain filled body and followed it. It worked well and I crossed lots of happy finish lines.

In full disclosure, my first step outside of my comfort zone was not my idea.

I had big time goals for the 2018 United NYC Half, but I thought I’d just do it on my own again. It had always worked in the past, so why not keep it going? My mom, however, had other ideas.

Known for pushing me to do hard things, she told me my Christmas present was a subscription to NYRR’s Virtual Trainer. Basically, they create a training plan for you that is customized and adjusts based on your time goal, races, and how things end up going.

When I first looked at it, I laughed.

Not only did it have me running more days per week than ever before, it also had me running more miles. My first thought was a hard “No”. I didn’t think it was possible. My body isn’t built for that. I can’t run that many miles. I need more rest days.

But, I did it anyway.

It’s the Year of Yes! What was the worst that could happen, I thought, as I imagined myself falling over on the Central Park drive.

Long story short, it worked out pretty well. I smashed my goal, and used the same program to set another PR (personal record) at the Brooklyn Half in May. I ran times, and mileage, I never thought I could. NYRR Virtual Trainer and I are now linked for life, and I will definitely be using it again.

After those races, I decided to explore something else in the exercise world – group fitness.

Over the next few months, I woke up early for workouts with November Project. I met up with a group in Central Park for speed work. I became a regular (well, weekly… does that count?) at SoulCycle. I tried CorePower Yoga in a hot room, which I swore I’d never do because I’d die (spoiler: I didn’t die).

As I write all that out now, I’m proud of myself for all of those leaps. Trying something new even once is a pretty cool thing to do. But I’d be lying if I said that every one of those ideas worked out well.

That’s the thing about stepping outside your comfort zone – not everything is going to be for you.

November Project and the speed work group were fun, there was good energy, and I was always happy that I had gone. Unfortunately, all of those positives didn’t make up for the fact that I am not someone who does well on little sleep. I wish I could be that person who sleeps for five hours and wakes up ready to go, but I’m not. Not even close. I need my 8 1/2 hours. Add that to the fact that I was getting home after 8pm, and well, waking up at 5am for those workouts became a serious problem.

After a couple of weeks of constantly feeling exhausted, and my regular running routine suffering, I knew I couldn’t keep showing up.

I also realized that I don’t thrive in a group running situation.

It just isn’t for me. I absolutely loved having the best marathon training buddy last year, and hope she decides to move back to New York before I tackle marathon training again. I also think I’d do well with a small group. I’d love to head out with the same five or so people, but bigger groups tend to overwhelm me and don’t make me feel connected.

On the plus side, my weekly cross training at SoulCycle has become one of my favorite parts of the week. I already have my favorite instructor and class, and I’m looking forward to keeping that (and trips to other fitness studios) a part of my routine.

So what’s the take away?

It’s always worth it to try something new. If nothing else, you learn something about yourself. Best case scenario? You find one more thing to enrich your life and make you happy. It’s a win/win situation, and something that I will absolutely keep making it a point to do.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”