Motivation

When it comes to excuses I can usually think of about 100; all logical reasons I can come up with not doing something. I’m tired, I have no time, I’m hungover, and I simply do not want to, are a few favorites. Making myself run 3 to 4 miles, I usually come up with “I don’t want to” mindset. If I feel an inkling of a cramp in my stomach, “Oh I better sit today out”. And living a mile away from the gym certainly does not help, simply going is a workout within itself.

However, yesterday was the best weather we’ve had in a while. I ran outside previously in the snow which made my lungs hurt and caused me to develop a slight cold, making me take a week of my workouts. One could say that I’m delicate.

Anyways, I was going to take advantage of the day and see what I could do. I know the area of Georgetown fairly well but I wasn’t sure which way I wanted to travel. I followed a power walker (yes I went faster than her) down the bridge to the canal. Deciding to branch off from her I ran the opposite way, into lots of ice and mud. As I mentioned before, I am delicate, and this was not the best decision I made resulting in muddy legs sliding along the ice. Executive decision! I turned around, once again following the power walker. I made my way to the water front and cruised for a bit. There were numerous groups of people around and I couldn’t let them see me struggle. As I made my way back I decided to again run along the canal. I ran past the garbage and scents of urine into a dead end into the highway, this place was rather confusing. Once again I turned around and sprinted past all of the men on a smoke break to the finish line and I was done. If that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what will.

The Decision

Fed up with my sporadic work outs and diminishing physical fitness since my days as a high school athlete, I decided to accomplish my ultimate physical challenge—running a half marathon. Yes I am aware that there are people out there who run multiple marathons and accumulate thousands of miles running throughout their lifetime but we all have different goals. Those 13.1 miles would be challenging but one of the most rewarding bodily experiences. This was such a good idea. I had run a 5k (3.1 miles) before; all I had to do was times that by four!

I was so jazzed with my new year’s resolution that I went for my first run on Christmas day. I had started before the New Year, which would obviously put me ahead of schedule. I would definitely be greatly rewarded for my eagerness. So I set out on a run with my older sister, someone whom I viewed as somewhat equal to me in physical fitness. Rounding the park near our home, not even a mile into the journey, I had a revelation—I hated to run. I could think of thousands of reasons I hate running: it was hard, it hurt, I was hot, and I hated hills. Running a half marathon was the stupidest idea I had ever had in my entire life and there would be no way in hell I could accomplish it. As I was scolding myself for my so obvious unattainable goal, I heard my sister yell, “Hurry up, why are you walking?” “Shut up!” I lovingly replied. “I don’t want to run anymore!” I increased my speed and realized we were beginning to go downhill. Maybe I was being a bit dramatic and I wasn't going to die…