Bob Sinclair gives us the perfect example of why “taking a break” from your routine isn’t a good thing.
___
I finally trained for my 5K. I finished on the big day. I have a medal, (although I suspect it is plastic.) I rewarded myself with a milk shake and a week off from training. Big mistake.
in·er·tia iˈnərSHə/ (noun) a property of matter by which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line, unless that state is changed by an external force.
Although I lost ten pounds while I trained to do my 5K, I still weigh 250 pounds. It is going to take a lot of external force to move this existing stage of rest!
As you have seen from above, the reason I don’t want to move because it is a scientific principle. (I knew I would use information from my physics class one day.)
Why I Run? You have heard all the reasons before:
- I feel better physically and emotionally.
- I lose weight while preparing.
- Gets me outdoors into the sunlight and fresh air.
- I find I have better endurance.
- I will gain more self-esteem.
- I am proud of myself for my small physical accomplishment.
But, I made a mistake. I took a week off from training. The motivation went out the window. As I sit here writing next to my clothes rack — oh, wait a minute — that is supposed to be my treadmill.
♦◊♦
Now it is time to get off the couch and start over again. Am I going to remain a couch potato, or did I prove to myself that I can do better than that? I’ve done this before. I should be doing this smarter.
To start over again, every night, I would listen to a little more of the Chi of Running by Danny Dreyer. Then, I was set the alarm for early morning. (I hate the mornings.) The pep talk at night combined with the early alarm matched with the running clothes in place tells my brain to get up and go.
I registered for another 5K in a couple month’s time. Without a goal, without a date to be ready, I was floundering. I needed to have an immediate purpose. I took care of my dad who died of Alzhemiers. This 5K is raising money for that cause. I am doing this in his honor.
I set up a new course to run. I was getting tired of the old locale. Maybe a new group of people will wave as I run by every other day.
I treat myself sometimes with a smoothie if I make my goal. Since I am doing this first thing in the morning now, coffee tastes even better after a run.
I mapped out a new set of personal goals. I want to run faster. And I set up a time schedule to get it done. An App on my cellphone is very helpful with that. It gives me the distance, the speed, and it keeps track of it. Although, I really don’t appreciate the fact that it wants to post my stuff on Facebook.
♦◊♦
I have always been self conscious about my weight. A fat man running down the street can look funny. I am still self conscious about people staring. I still feel like the hippos with tutus in Fantasia. Maybe I should be grateful that the sun isn’t quite out yet when I run in the morning.
You will never see me post what I did for the day on Facebook. But I will tell one person.
I have been very grateful for my secret weapon.
TJ Trent has been a great friend for a few years now. We started as friends. He is now my Life Coach. He is the one who convinced me to get off my butt in the first place. I really never want to tell him that I goofed off. (Although I did have to tell him that I couldn’t go because it was raining too hard.) As a Life Coach, it is easier to get out there than admit to him that I didn’t run. As a friend, he believed I could do all this even when I couldn’t believe it. I could not have made running part of my routine without him.
We all need an accountability partner. We need someone to cheer us on. Or listen to us and determine if our excuses are full of crap.
I can not understate the need for routine. As I stated earlier, I am going against the laws of inertia. Nature makes it difficult to start. Habit is going to make it easier to continue.
So, if you happen to see me running near Route 1 here in Florida, don’t laugh. I am not a natural born athlete. In fact, with my body, there is nothing natural about this. Just smile and wave. And be witness to the fact that I am getting better and better every day.
Sorry to say, I hate exerise. I am still looking for ways to keep me motivated.
What makes you move when inertia grabs you? What makes you run when you don’t feel like doing it anymore? I would appreciate it if you would share any ideas in the comment section?
___
Photo: Flickr/Clint McMahon
Thanks very much, Aaron. Not very much a team sports kind of guy. But I will keep the other two points in mind.
Hi Bob, I’m not a runner, but I love sports. Here are some suggestions you could think about: 1. Make it Social: Get a running partner if possible? There’s nothing like having someone beside you to keep you motivated. If it’s not possible for long runs, there are lots of community exercise groups around, which you could consider as well? 2. Track your progress: Not sure if you already do this, but tracking your progress (did I improve on my 5K time today?) is a big motivator for me. I do weights, so it always keeps me happy when I… Read more »
Just for the record. I did not pick the post’s picture. Those burgers and fries are tempting! I think I gained 5 pounds just looking at them!!