It's always the same: a friend will talk me into running a race. I start researching the course and the recommended training schedule, and that leads me to articles and blogs about running technique, diet models, speed workouts...and I start getting excited. I wish there was a way to take that rush of motivation and bottle it up, because when I wake up at 6:30 to hit the pavement, I need it.
BAD.
Because I HATE the first mile of a run. Hate is a strong word, yes, but it is not strong enough to describe how I feel during those first minutes of a run. My knees and ankles creak, and my muscles feel stiff and weak, and I think, "Why do people get out of bed this early. This is really dumb."
Once I hit about mile 2.5, though, my muscles have warmed up and my blood is pumping through my body, and I could honestly keep going for a while, out of FUN, I daresay.
And then I come home and have a protein shake and bask in what a healthy lifestyle I live (aside from the half-a-cheesecake I've no doubt eaten the night before). That may be the best part--the stretching afterward, with endorphins running through my body. And BONUS: being sweaty that early in the day ensures that I'll shower and get dressed & put together by 9am. Not to mention the longer-term benefits of health and fitness.
If I know how good it feels to run and train, why is it so hard to start? It's all I can do not to let an audible groan escape my lips when I take that first step. If only that rush of momentum and motivation was there at that moment. Until it comes, I'm working on a leap of faith, believing that if I can just hold out until mile 2, it'll come, and things will get easier.
I guess everything we do to change ourselves for the better has its not-so-fun first step. There are many things I'd like to be better at doing: playing the hymns, for example. Or being well-versed in the scriptures. Just like a marathon, these things are within my power, if I can will myself to train. And usually, I don't have a problem finishing-- the problem, for me, lies with those first steps: sitting down at the piano to practice, or making time to study, memorize and apply scripture in my life.
I want this to be a year of first steps.
2 comments:
I like it. I have things like this in my life too. I definitely don't run anymore (or haven't in like a year), so I admire you for planning on doing races! Congrats and good luck!
Meg! This is sort of a test, because I'm not sure quite how this blog thing works, so I'm wondering if you will ever see this comment at all?? =) Anyway, I feel the SAME way about running. Well, except I don't really ever make it to the 2.5 mark that often so I just always feel the I hate this part... maybe I should try to go longer?? xx
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