My First Day of Cross Country

I remember going out for cross country my senior year in high school. The first day I tried to keep up with the best runners on the team even though they had been training for years and were far more talented. I barely finished the workout, wobbled home tired and humiliated and never returned. I wanted to immediately be as fast as they were. I wanted the recognition that went along with a varsity letter and such, but I really didn't understand what went into achieving it. My aching quads told me so.

A couple of years later, I started running around a tiny little field behind our house for 20 minutes. I'd trot around at a snail's pace. It was barely faster than a walk. No one was pushing me. My ego was not involved.  I was not trying to impress anybody. This was my real starting point. It was particular to me. I'd pretend I was a great athlete in training but I'd take it really slow. The important thing was that I was taking a step that I was able to handle. Each workout became a success. I built on it. With each success, I progressed and took another step. This method worked.

So...no matter what your goals...take small sure steps.  Understand that training is a process.  There are steps to be taken...one by one.  You're not allowed to skip them.  It's a basic law of the Universe.

Ask any really good weight lifter.  They know this better than anyone.