Thursday, December 16, 2010

Would you like my Mantra?

I have favorite quotes, favorite song lyrics, favorite sayings.  When I started training for my marathon, I needed something to run to, something to think of during the long weeks of training, and in tough moments.  Something to keep me going.

I came across a phrase last year, I can't remember if I read it in a book or magazine, but once I read it, it was singed into my brain.  It became my running mantra.  And I thought of it during my lowest point of my marathon last September.

Here it is:



Thanks to the lovely folks at BuildASign.com, my running mantra has been made into a bumper sticker!  

I have stickers to share, if anyone is interested.  Right now I have 20 available, with more to come.  If you would like one, leave me a comment, let me know if you have a mantra, and what it is.  I'm not sure what kind of response I'll get for this, but I'll keep this post up until Saturday, and if I have more than 20 comments, to be fair, I'll choose 20 using random.org. 

Pretty cool, huh?

39 comments:

Runners Fuel said...

I want one!! Very inspiring!!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Same company contact me as well, I am debating whether I want to do it or not, I never was given this type of chance

anyways

did you hide those cookies so I can finish my thought?

my Mantra is long but it is

"Racing is so hard, the suffering is so intense, that it's absolutely cleansing. You can go out there with the weight of the world on your shoulders, and after a hard race at a high pain threshold, you feel at peace. The pain is so deep and strong that a curtain descends over your brain. At least for a while you a kind of a hall pass, and don't have to brood on your problems; you can shut everything else out, because the effort and subsequent fatigue is absolute"

Lucas R. Tucker said...

I would love one.

One Crazy Penguin said...

I'd love one!

My mantra: If it was easy, everyone would do it!

Terri said...

Hey, my comment disappeared. But here's a new one - great mantra. I would love that sticker!!!

Rae said...

Love it! I'd love one!

Brittney said...

Ooooh, I want one!! I will think of this during my marathon, thank you!

I like this quote:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
~ Mark Twain

Michelle said...

Would love one Molly - great mantra!

Mine is: "I can accept failure. Everybody fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."

It's a quote from Michael Jordan - I blogged about it a while ago - sums up my philosophy and I repeat it to myself often!

Heather said...

I really like your mantra! and it's so true...and a good thing to be reminded of often! I'd love one!

Julie @ HotlegsRunner said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Alanna said...

I'd love a sticker! My mantra when I run is "If I can get through this I can get through anything."

My favourite quote I stole from Tall Mom:
"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden

Julie @ HotlegsRunner said...

I want one puhleeeeez =)

My mantra is this:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippinans 4:13

Unknown said...

Love it! That is a fantastic thing to remember :)
"We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey."

Stacie said...

I'd love a sticker!!! Thanks!!!

Right now I really like "Fear No Distance"

Sherry @ Life from my persective said...

Love it... I repeat that to myself often as I run!

Andrew Opala said...

yes, I'd love one - my mantra the spin on Nike:

Ya, just did it!

Jill said...

Me!!! I wanna sticker, please!!?? Don't forget your blog buddy gift exchange host!! :)

I have a million mantras - right now it's, "cut off your damn heel"

Momma got the runs said...

Id love one! I always say to myself "its never too late to be the you that you were meant to be"

Fruit Fly said...

I love that mantra, I want one!!

I don't have one that I created on my own, but I just always go with my favorite Steve Prefontaine quote, which is "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."

ajh said...

Put me down for wanting one. This is awesome!

J said...

I have silly little mantras that I say to myself while running - like "just keep going" or "get to the top of that hill". Its usually nothing special, but once I start thinking a phrase I usually just think it over and over again.

justme said...

my mantra is "i can, i will, i am"

Detroit Runner(Jeff) said...

Love the mantra. So true!

Lisa said...

That IS a GREAT quote. Love it! Would love to put that on my car between my 13.1 sticker and my runner girl sticker - it would look oh so nice!!!!

When things get really tough during a run, I usually repeat "I CAN do this!" It's not fancy or inspirational, but as each foot strikes the ground, I say one word "I" "CAN" "do" "this" (4 steps later - repeat - repeat - repeat until either the run is over, I've passed the hard part, or I've gone crazy from repeating it.

mystorychapter2.blogspot.com

Tortuga_Runner said...

I want one.
Running mantra: You can do this!

BabyWeightMyFatAss said...

ohh nice! My mantra is "Don't tell me I can't."

Anonymous said...

Mine is "With Christ I can do all things!"
I like your a lot!!

Laura said...

I love that! I would love this sticker to remind me of my goals. When I first saw frayed laces' blog, her mantra really struck me. "there will be a day you can no longer do this, today is not that day" I think of that on every long run and it really got me through my pain on marathon day.

Sarah said...

that is such a great mantra!

love it :)

Unknown said...

My new mantra is: "I am very disappointed when Molly puts up a new post and a pic of Frank is not included." ... then I make a sad face )-:

Caratunk Girl said...

Ha ha I like Jeff's comment!! More Frank!!

Love the mantra, I am in for the drawing (looks like you have more than 20 takers, ofcourse!)

Johann said...

Would love one but I'm sooo far away! My mantra is "Run Tall, Walk Tall", my blog title.

Anonymous said...

What a great saying! I will think about it during my marathon training too.
So glad you shared it.

Julie said...

Oh me! Me! Pick me! I want a bumper sticker of the sleeper bakers mantra:) It is a great one...we all need a mantra for when the going gets tough!

Take care Molly! Hugs:)

Suzy said...

Very awesome!!

Darlene said...

My MANTRA IS:

Finishing=Winning!

Unknown said...

Yes, I know I'm too late. But, I do want to add that I love this idea.
My mantra: Chase your dreams.

Unknown said...

They contacted me too! :) I love that quote... it looks great as a bumper sticker too! :)

The Green Girl said...

Aw, I'm disappointed I missed this!