Motivation

Though I’m sure there are some people (ahem…Jenn…ahem) who might disagree, I still maintain that I am not a runner.

I do run. I admit that.

It’s not much, and it’s not fast, but I do get out there on a (fairly) consistent basis.

Three mornings this week, I ran three(ish) miles. A nine mile week is NOT impressive, but it’s not just the miles or lack there of that disqualify me from being a “runner.” I think it’s more of a mindset issue. They (They being actual runners I know, and there are a lot of them.) told me that I would eventually like running. Once I did it enough, it would get easier and actually be enjoyable. I haven’t found that to be true. Hence my adamant position that I am NOT a runner.

It’s been about 14 months since I started running consistently, mostly early morning runs with a wonderful group of girls. And certainly without their early motivation, I would not have gotten out there as much as I did. In 2014 I ran 305 miles, which is about 300 miles more than I’d ever run in my entire life. (Ok, that’s maybe a slight exaggeration, but it’s seriously close!)

But even after all this time of putting in the miles, mostly in increments of 2 or 3, I still. don’t. like. it. I dislike it to the point of sitting in my car for a solid 10-15 minutes two mornings this week seriously contemplating just driving away instead of getting out to run. It’s not something I look forward to. It’s not something I have any desire to do more than I already do. I do it only because it’s good exercise for me (in moderation), and I need to get my heart rate up every once in a while. I do it because it’s an investment in my future. It’s part of establishing a healthy lifestyle and setting a good example for my future children.

And that’s something for which I do have motivation. I want to have a healthy life, so I can have a healthy family, so we can enjoy our days more completely, so we can cherish many, many memories and years together. That’s why I can get on board with this running business. That’s why I am work to establish healthier eating habits (more on the paleo lifestyle the hubster advocates later). That’s why I roll out of bed when the early run alarm goes off and tie up those laces (figuratively, not literally because I never untie my shoes and just slide them on) and hit the road. Or sidewalk. Or trail.

So I’m not a runner, but I’ll keep running.

Are you a runner? Do you run? What’s your motivation?