Resistance and procrastination seem to be the constant companions of the regular runner, or at least for this runner. I am in the middle of training for the Chattanooga Marathon on Feb. 24 (one day before my 48th birthday) and today was my 8 mile run. Now the cold weather is not my friend. In fact I just can't stand it! So any running I do in the winter is done on a treadmill.
The past two weeks have been grueling to me. From the first step I have been feeling a sense of fatigue. And because I run on the treadmill, I have a pretty good idea of my pacing. To do my 10 minute miles has felt like torture. Why I am not completely sure. The cold weather, less sunlight, my tendency toward depression in the winter, age, the increase in my yoga practice... Any one of these or a combination could be the reason for my resistance.
What keeps me running when the euphoric feelings are not present is my commitment to the training, the working toward a goal and the Nike mantra to "just do it" keeps me in my sneakers.
My yoga practice has taught me many lessons through the commitment to the practice that I can take off my mat. Why then can't the lessons learned in running be carried off the road? Really no reason. So I have thought about my recent attitude toward running, the difficulties in finding a rhythm and ease on the course. I have done a lot of thinking on how this attitude carries into the rest of my life. There seems to be no reason why I can't carry my persistent, committed attitude with which I approach running when I don't feel like running to all areas of my life. Life seems to be filled with hundreds of tasks that I find myself not wanting to do. Just like lacing up my sneakers and hitting the gym or road, following through on my commitment to my training, I can approach life. I can adapt the "just do it" attitude when I don't want to take care of some detail or unpleasant task. In fact following through on my commitment to myself to pick up my writing again has been one such task. I do believe my 8 mile run has helped me today to put fingers to keyboard in an effort of follow through on the commitment to myself.
So go ahead, the next time you find yourself procrastinating or avoiding some task, just lace up your sneakers per say and "just do it." Then take note of how you feel. Relish in the feelings of satisfaction in a job well done.
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2 comments:
Imagine what people could accomplish if they put the same enthusiasm into what they have to do as to what they love to do.
Nikki
so agree and when what you have to do becomes what you want to so, ahhhhh that is the bliss state!
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