When you don't feel like it

Yesterday, I woke up feeling blah. I went through the motions. Spud had preschool and I had Sweetpea scheduled to go to a sit, so I had a few hours by myself. Once I had them both off, I came home. I was supposed to go for a run, but I felt like curling up with a book and a tea and doing nothing. (Truthfully, I probably would have curled up with a chocolate bar too, if I had any in the house.)

Thing is, I had made plans. A couple days earlier, I had made arrangements with a friend to go running. I did not feel like it, but I had a commitment, so I sucked it up, got my running clothes on and went out to meet her.

Gayle is one of those people who has infectious enthusiasm and she was completely enthusiastic about this run. We ran down by the river, which was covered in snow. The ice sparkled in the sunshine. Before long her enthusiasm was wearing off on me and I was feeling better. A saying comes to mind that couldn't be more true in this situation: "you'll never regret the runs you do, only the ones you don't do."

I think I'm a pretty lucky runner. For the most part, I love it. I'm usually excited at my opportunities to run and I don't have to fight with myself to get out there. I'm not perfect though and like everyone else, sometimes the motivation is just lacking.

Would I have gone out if I hadn't had plans? Truthfully, I don't know. Sometimes you have to use all the resources at your disposal, and this time, I was lucky enough to have part of my support system there for me. I used to be afraid of running with other people, but now I'm loving it, and it is certainly helping me get through the dark winter months.

And sometimes, you just have to suck it up. Acknowledge that you don't feel like it. Then, do it anyways.