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Friday, April 8, 2011

Running Is Hard


I have a dream.

Not the one where gas is free, lawns mow themselves and Chipotle delivers with complimentary guac, but the one where my whole family runs the Bolder Boulder 10K race together.  It’s a big deal in these parts, tens of thousands of people run this race each year.  I’ve done it twice, Cory did it once, and every time one of us has left early in the morning to join their heat on the starting line I have secretly fantasized that one day my whole family would get up and do it together. 

But see, it’s not really my thing to accomplish goals, it’s mostly my thing to have them.  Just ask the diet books on my shelf, the unfinished hutch in my garage, or the archives of unprinted pictures on my hard drive. 

Nevertheless, the rest of my family is entirely well versed with the concept of setting and completing goals, reinforcing my status as The Weak Link.  When I told the family that I wanted to do this, I knew how it was going to go – Samantha, who already runs up to 7 or 8 miles after school for track practice, would simply show up, kick all of our trash and have time to read War and Peace by the time the rest of us meet her at the finish line.  Cory would prepare not at all and run with Drew at whatever pace worked for the both of them.  I would spend months getting into shape by downloading a training regimen from the internet, taping it to the wall and crossing off the workouts as I accomplished them.  By the time the race came around I would be rearing to go, and hopefully make at least as good a time as I did when I ran it four years ago.

Here’s how it’s gone instead.

My goal in January:  stop eating sugar – lose 30 pounds – train every day
My goal in February:  eat sugar only on weekends – lose 20 pounds –  run three times a week
My goal in March:  eat sugar only on weekends. or weekdays. – listen, the scales aren't always right –  go for a run if the sun is shining, the wind isn’t blowing, and Jimmer isn’t playing (sort of excluding all of March)

It is now April, and with the race in 8 weeks it’s really time to fish or cut bait.  Tinkle or get off the potty.  Be part of the problem or part of the solution.  See the opportunity as a challenge or the challenge as an opportunity.  (Tony Robbins I've been listening!)

I’ve decided it’s time to quit.

Time
To quit making excuses
To quit whining
To quit expecting a chromosomal defect to blame
To quit pushing the “snooze” button
To quit hoping for a magic pill
To quit waking up in the morning, fully expecting to fail

It’s time to show up in my own life. 

Monday was harsh, but I did it.  Tuesday and Wednesday I followed through, and today is better than Monday.  It may not be much but for now…

…for now I’m running with it.

17 comments:

Heather said...

Go! Can't wait to see if the race lives up to your expectations.

Ria said...

You go girl! I know you can do it. You are much tougher than you give yourself credit for. Except when camping. You're a whimp at camping, but not running.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Yay! I'm pretty sure you are more than awesome.

Tinkle or get off the pot...that was good.

anitamombanita said...

I love it! The Ogden 1/2 marathon is coming up at the end of May. I ran the Nike Women's 1/2 in San Francisco the end of October. I've run twice since then, so you can see how the training is going...or not.

But, like you, I'm going to do it. Maybe not today, though...it's snowing... LOL

You go, girl!

Stefani said...

I'm running my first marathon in may. Gulp... I sometimes wonder what I was thinking. I train so I don't die.... You're right, running is hard. Good luck on your run!

Jill said...

Way to go you! Watch out for pit-bulls and tree's.

Vern said...

@Ria: Ha ha! I still hate camping.

Kelly said...

Good for you! I am glad you are such a quitter. Very inspirational!

ganelle said...

At least you are going to actually do it. I had the same thought - for about 5 minutes.

See, if you hang out with bigger slackers than you, it's all good!

Anonymous said...

Dang it! Now who's going to hang out back here in the slacker-slums?
I mean really, think of others!

mormonhermitmom said...

I'll cheer you on. I admire anyone who can get up in the morning and run.

Kara said...

need a little lift? http://literallyrunningmybuttoff.blogspot.com/

I'm trying to remember that I like being skinny.

Unknown said...

Go Kristy! Next year you SHOULD challenge the whole fam! I need an excuse to visit CO. Or maybe in 8 weeks...? yeah right!

Sherise said...

Go Vern! If I lived closer, I would totally come run it with you.

rocslinger said...

I need some of your "umphh".
It's been nearly five years since I did any serious bike rides. Can you send some in the mail?

Carma Sez said...

I've been avoiding goals most my life; finally trying to do something about it too.. I may need to hire someone to do some prodding so I don't fall into my lazy old habits. You seem to be on a roll!!

Mortensen Baby Farm said...

Go Go Go!!!!

I totally have your back Kristy!! (while I hold a twinkie and a soda)!

You are awesome!