When I first started marathon training 6 weeks ago, I kept telling myself that it would get easier. Getting out the door would be easier because the run itself wouldn't be so hard and intimidating. The run itself wouldn't be so hard because I would have the runner's high to look forward to after. I would be motivated by becoming stronger and losing weight and getting faster.
I know better.
And I do. I was a runner in high school, a 5x/week runner with a 6 minute mile. And it never got any easier to get out the door. I always have to motivate myself each day. Sometimes it's with the promise of beer after a run (contradictory much?). Sometimes it's by looking at my fitness board on Pinterest. Sometimes it's just a 20 minute long pep talk on my drive home. Sometimes it's Ryan running the first half mile with me just to get me going. Whatever it takes, it's as hard to get out the door as it was on Day 1... if not harder.
I don't say this to sound negative. I say it as a reminder to myself and anyone else who is trying to get in shape or training for a goal. There is no one out there, no matter how hot they look, for whom getting out the door or into sneakers becomes easier.There's that Zig Ziglar quote: "People say that motivation doesn't last. Well neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it every day." It's true. Six weeks in and I have to motivate myself every single day.
4/1/13 - 4/7/13 Health and Fitness Stats:
- ran 5 days for a total of 32.4 miles
- average pace: 11'50" per mile
- ran my longest run EVER - 15 miles!
- lost 6 lbs in total so far
