On Avoiding Running

There were a lot of excuses before the trip, there weren’t many opportunities to go running during the trip, and then there were a lot of excuses after I got back from the trip — I’m speaking to the fact that I haven’t gone running in about five weeks.

I don’t think I’ve gone that long without going for a run since I took up the practice again about 10 years ago. Just thinking about the lapse made the whole situation worse — it had a way of weighing down and burying the motivation I needed to simply lace up the ol’ running shoes and get my ass out the door.

I’m still not sure I understand how I got so completely and utterly lazy, but a big part of it had to do with my expert ability to find excuses to NOT go running. I seem to be very, very good at that.

Here are just some of my excuses:
I have too much work to do.
If I go running, I’ll be exhausted, and I won’t be able to get all my work done.
I just ate and my stomach is full.
We haven’t gone to brunch in ages — we should really go to brunch, like both mornings this weekend.
I’m feeling sick.
It’s really cold outside and I don’t want to get myself sick.
Is it 6 o’clock already?
It’s too dark outside.
I have to pack.
I don’t want to get sand in my running shoes.
I have to unpack.
I’m not adjusted to the time difference yet.
I am still jet-lagged.
I’ll start next weekend.
I’ll wake up early tomorrow and go.
I’m just too tired, I need that extra hour of sleep.
We need to try that new restaurant.
The afternoon beers I drank have given me a headache.
I have a headache.
If I go running, I’ll probably get a headache.
I need to write that post on avoiding running…

The list goes on and on. The solution is to simply stop making excuses. Just put on the shoes, walk out the door, and start running. Easier said than done, of course.

I better re-read this post tomorrow morning… I’ve already got a couple of great excuses dancing around in my head (got to watch all the Sunday morning talk shows, for example).