This weekend I ran my first 10k of the year. Although I live in southern climate, I ran into a brisk north wind, in 23 degree wind chill.
My race preparation began days before when my spouse told me the forecast, inquiring "are still planning on running?"
"Of course" I said, nonchalantly.
Gulp.
I don't major in discipline, so I have a system that gets - and keeps - me moving.
I find a race, I schedule it, I pay for it. So there is a financial commitment.
This keeps me moving, so I can train, and get stronger.
Then I talk about it - to my spouse, to my friends and running community, to myself. It's the way I cheerlead myself forward.
Next come the clothes - the night before a race, I set out the run gear that's going to get me down the road safely, and in this case warmly!
So when I got in my car on that cold morning, I was mentally prepared.
Until I realized I forgot my earbuds. Rookie move!! Fortunately I was early and there was a store 5 minutes away.
When I walked across the parking lot, the bitter wind blasted me. If I hadn't spent all this time preparing, I'd have turned on my heel and gone home.
Instead, I ran that 10k. I wasn't fast, but that's not my goal. This race was about getting back into the swing of things. Less than a month ago I could barely walk, due to worsening back issues.
No excuses.
Excuses would have me back on the couch where I was 5 years ago, overweight, newly diabetic, back troubles flaring...and sedentary.
No excuses has pared me down 35lbs, improved my overall health, dropped me from a size 14 to a size 6, given me purpose.
And everyday is a new day to confront excuses.
Every. Single. Day.
Never give up!!
By the way, I have a 15k, a 10k, a half marathon, and a 5k in the next 7 weeks.
e b e r
