When You Feel Like Stopping - DON'T

Today, I went out for a run. It was overcast and just chilly enough to warrant a hoodie. The ground was wet from an earlier rain shower and slick leaves covered the road.

I really didn’t feel like going for a run today. I’m still tired from completely flipping my entire sleep schedule (thanks to the day job). It’d be OK to skip one little run, right? I wouldn’t die if I skipped it. I wouldn’t gain 20 lbs back if I took an extra day off. After all, it was only an easy 3-mile run.

Couldn’t I spend the time writing, or reading, or watching TV? Sure. Would those activities have helped me with my fitness goals?

Nope.

The Slight Edge

This annoying argument in my mind got me thinking about a book I’m reading, which you’ve probably heard of, called The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson (affiliate link). Basically, it’s about doing the small tasks every day that we know we should do, things that are easy and lead us to our goals, but that are also easy not to do.

I quit living my life with the Slight Edge working against me a while back so I didn’t want to be THAT guy who skipped the easy stuff.

So, I slipped on my Spyridon LS and went for my run. Great!

The Insidious Lizard Brain

That was a great start, but half-way through the run my lizard brain started nagging again.

I stopped to walk, taking a moment to remember my goals and why I decided not to skip my run. Memories of the old days when I used to run 5+ miles a day popped into my head. I could remember how awesome I felt (not to mention how much better I looked).

I thought about Joel Runyon working towards an Ultra-Marathon and all the people at Nerd Fitness making awesome progress.

How could I quit a short 3-mile run when these guys are rockin’ it?! No excuse. My lizard brain arguments were invalid.

I walked back to where I stopped running and began again, going on to complete my 3-mile run.

Just when you think you should quit what you’re doing – DON’T!

If I had cut my run short and walked home with only half a workout completed I would have regretted it later. That’s the worst feeling. Knowing that you can do something but you didn’t for dumb reasons. Ugh! That’s what led me to getting fat in the first place.

Mindset is important, very important. It can steel your mind against the lizard brain and the naysayers in your life.

Another day. Another step. Another run closer to my goals.

Be consistent. Be mindful. Be Strong!