How can a person go from marathon to slothdom so quickly?
You won’t find slothdom in a dictionary, although it should be. It’s rich in imagery – a comfortable couch, white wine and scotch, homemade peppermint bark, bad TV (does Junior Master Chef qualify?), sleeping in a warm bed under a heavy duvet while your 12-year-old daughter heads to a 5:30 am swim practice.
Master Chef Junior - it's much easier to watch the Food Channel than head out the door for a run. Besides, these kids are amazing!
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I used to feel pretty good about myself last year training for my first marathon in November, now I feel like a shortbread-stuffed, guilt-wracked sloth – albeit, a cute one.
I realize that this time of year is filled with indulgences that we should enjoy but which erase the boundaries of self-discipline and settle in at our hips. This is inevitably followed by good intentions sharp in their first imagining under the looming lustre of a new year, but too often turn soggy when one realizes changing one’s habits takes motivation, persistence and, well – change.
When I lament to friends, whether they are runners or not, of how little I’ve done since my New York pinnacle and toss another mint Lindt chocolate into my mouth, there seems to be a universal understanding of quickly we can sabotage the good work and habits that helped us achieve a goal.
Looking for motivation tips? News sites, magazines, and weight-loss websites are full of them in January.
One innovative site – stickK – created by two Yale University economists helps people achieve their goals with an informal contract that you back with cold hard cash. You select an external referee, such as a friend to monitor your progress. Succeed and you don’t pay any moolah, fail and your money goes to your selected charity, or your friend if you choose.
Motivation to get out of your comfort zone isn’t rocket science, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
You need a reason for the change that you believe in, a plan to get you there, and some self-love for when you have a bad day and need to get back at it, rather than give up.
My plan is simple – sign up for a race, buddy up with other runners who already have a training schedule, and share my journey publicly to keep me accountable and pass along some tips.
Slogans tend to sound trite but there is a kernel of truth.
Here’s two to get you started.
Nike might have said it better, but Amelia said it first.
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Uhm, yeah. What's your point exactly?
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Jan. 1, 2015 postcript:
Ran 2.3 kilometres to the rec centre yesterday to sign up for Yoga for Runners class. Felt like it was 10 kilometres pulling Santa's sleigh. Reminded myself, it doesn't matter that I ran a marathon eight weeks ago. It's back to one step at a time. Streaked like bacon.
