So my usual 05:15 alarm went off this morning as usual and I woke up to the feeling of just wanting to get back under the duvet and give it all up. I even remember thinking 'Why am I even doing this to myself'.
Thankfully at this stage of my journey, these mornings are few and far between and certainly test my mental toughness every time they come around. Thinking of it like that as I type this right now, and I am actually quite grateful for these types of mornings now and then. As they serve as a continual reminder of how far I have actually come, and serve as a challenge to prove to myself that I am better than I once was.
So anyway, back to the story. I got up and forced myself downstairs to the running gear that my past self had considerately prepared the night before. I begrudgingly forced myself into it and had another mental check-in. *still would rather be in bed*
Okay, it's all good. I may as well just step out into the rain at this point. I'm already awake, I'm already dressed. It's unlikely I would get myself back to sleep now anyway and my kids will be awake before long anyway.
I convince myself to just step out of the door. "do a shorter run today, it's all good" I tell myself. So off I trot.
I won't lie, the first 20 or so minutes were pretty tough. The wind and rain were smashing me in the face and my legs felt pretty heavy. It wasn't until about 30 minutes in that I started to break myself into the movement and it started feeling pretty good. I was awake, all cylinders were firing and I was heading into the final stretch.
It was at this moment that I had an explosion of ideas of things I wanted to do today. First of all, I wanted to sit down and write about it here, in hopes that it might motivate someone else who is struggling today. I also had a sudden urge to start that dedicated running blog and TikTok page that I have been procrastinating over for months. All of a sudden I had this huge surge of motivation that I didn't exactly know what to do with, other than keep putting one foot in front of the other. Some might say it was a runners high, but all I know is that is the kick start that my day needed to rocket it from a 1 to a 10.
I guess the moral here is that some days are tough and some days are out right grueling and will challenge us to the core. Sometimes we need these mornings to remind ourselves how tough we actually are and how much growth we have achieved.
With that said, I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and that you manage to find some time for you today!
Written by
TormundsBeard
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Go YOU !!! Out there, doing it and sharing the joy!
The runs when it all feels easy, are easy.... Days like today... that takes something else and you met the challenge, ( from yourself), and you got out there!
A hard run that turned out to one one of the most productive runs too... lots, whizzing around in your head and lots of ideas to enjoy putting into practice.
Just super... I shall enjoy my run, later for me today, which is always tricky, as an early morning runner, even more, and you will be in my head with me!
Great post! I relate to so much of this. The toxic ten seems to be a toxic thirty! I used to think if you had days like this, you were doing something wrong but they’re a normal part of running and you’re absolutely right-they’re a great opportunity to show how tough you are! Running is so much of a mental game. You’re definitely winning!! Go you! 🏃♀️💪🏅
Definitely a part of the process ! The trick is to just embrace it and prove to yourself you can do it. See it as a challenge and it will always be more motivating ! Happy running !
🍏 I loved this story!! It embraces so much of who we are as runners, how one run is never the same as another, how we have to overcome the mind games as well as the physicality of it all! Then come the rewards that keep us doing this amazing sport & make us so passionate about it… the runners high, the sharpened mind, the joy of proving something to ourselves, learning more about running and about ourselves. The afterglow is best of all as we sit with coffee & bask in the fact that the run is done ✔️ Well done TormundsBeard
My dad would have labelled such a run “character forming” when I was a lad! My mother would have said “ you are not going out in this weather, are you mad?” Tough runs are incredibly good for us; especially when viewed in retrospect! Great run 👏👏👏👏👏
What a great post TormundsBeard . It just goes to show what strong characters we can be. You nailed that reluctant run and came out the other side a happier person, full of enthusiasm about what you achieved. 👏👏
I had a total toys out the pram moment with my running at the end of last year. I had an everlasting cough, leaving me with no energy, and we all know what the weather has been like this year. The gym saved my bacon on those days, plus I went back through C25K for some easy wins. We are strong runners!
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