So, Where Are We?

OK, so we're in our fourth week of this little adventure, and I don't feel I have a good idea of what kind of progress you guys are making, other than what I see every Tuesday. It does look like people are getting are able to run with better form, and are able to run farther.

In terms of where you "should" be, that's going to vary. If you came in not being able to run much at all, and you've been running at least three times a week, I think you should just be starting to get more comfortable with running 20-30 minutes with minimal stopping and walking, depending on the temperature.

If you haven't been getting your runs in, regardless of what level you're at, don't give up. Think about what's keeping you from it - is it time? Or is it boiling down to motivation and commitment? If you're not doing your other scheduled running, please let me know, and let's figure out what we can do differently.

Some suggestions for getting those runs in:

• Anything is better than nothing at all. If you don't have time for a 40 minute run, run 30. Heck, run 20 - it's better than not running at all. It's too easy to rationalize that if you can't do your full run, you'll put it off until "That Time Later Today or Tomorrow Morning That We All Know Doesn't Actually Exist".
• Run an errand, literally. Gotta return a movie? Mail something? If it's nearby, run there. Or, just incorporate your run into the errand - today, I'm going to Whole Foods after work, I'll park there, run, then come back and pick up groceries, before I ever go home to the evil evil couch with its invincible gravitational pull.
• Keep running clothes and shoes with you. Just because running later doesn't seem like a good idea when you get up in the morning, doesn't mean you won't be able to get yourself to go right after work.
• Get into your running clothes as soon as possible. If you get home, change into your running gear first thing. If you're going to go to the store before you run, change first. It puts you one step down the road to actually running.
• Enlist help. We have enough people that there's someone else that you could be running with. Set up a running time, and don't let the other runner down. Use the run, drink, repeat blog - just post that you want to run on x day. Everyone should have gotten an invite to be able to post there. If not, let me know.
• Keep your inspiration in mind. You're doing this for a reason, I hope, but don't limit it to some cold and clinical goal. You want to drop some weight and look better? BFD. Why? What does that mean to you, and what's it worth to you? You want to be ready to train for a half or full marathon? So you can put a sticker on your car? BFD. What does achieving that really mean to you, and really say about who you are? The answers to those questions are the true inspiration for putting in the work. Looking at today's workout as 30 minutes of running that you're supposed to do is not motivating. Seeing it as an important step on whatever journey you're on is where you get inspiration and motivation. Every. Day. Counts.

Overall, keep in mind that you've made a commitment, and you're putting in a good deal of work coming out on Tuesdays. But if you don't do the work the rest of the week, you're wasting that effort and time, and selling yourself short.

I also always keep this in mind - if I give up, or I fail to follow through on this, then what else will I give up on? What else will I think is important but fail at anyway, just for want of a little effort?

A professional marathoner said that "The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare." Going out on a given day and running a 5K or a marathon can be a proof of your character and will, but it is nowhere near as important or impressive as having the discipline and passion to go out and put in the work on a daily basis, or at least three or four times a week. That is what will ultimately make this rewarding for you.

Now go! Run! Do it now!