What is motivating me to take this on? That’s a very good question and one I’ve asked myself a few times in the last several weeks. But, since the Couch to 5K Challenge was partially my idea, I feel like, if I’m not willing to give it a go, how can I expect others to? Plus, if my efforts will raise funds for MEOW, that’s highly motivating, And finally, Coach Steve (aka fellow Board member Steve Heaps) assures me that if I follow the training plan, I’ll be ready and it won’t be difficult. Of course, I’ve never forgotten the time a co-worker told me his wife’s brussels sprout recipe made them taste like candy. Tried the recipe – not candy! But, I’m willing to trust again.
I’ll be clear. I am not a jogger. Yes, back in college and in my early 20s, I jogged. Didn’t everyone? But I eventually grew out of it (in more ways than one). In 2018, when we got a very spirited puppy, I thought, OK, time to jog again. But, my veterinarian (who I trust completely – has never said anything good about brussels sprouts), recommended that I wait at least a year until she was full grown before taking her running. Well, you know the rest of that story.
If you know me, you know that I am both a rule follower and a check lister. That means a schedule that tells me exactly what to do, and then allows me to check a box when I’ve done it, is probably the best chance I have to make this happen. I doubt I’ll become a regular jogger after this (and yes I use “jogger” not “runner” because running happens in a gear I don’t think I possess). Back in 1994 a friend and I trained to ride the STP (a 200 mile-2 day bike ride from Seattle to Portland). We had a 3-month training schedule, followed it religiously, even in the rain, and enjoyed a fairly easy ride to Portland. I think I’ve been on my bike perhaps 3 times since then.
If you know me, you also know that I’m all about motivating myself using rewards. So, I think I’ll spend the next several days deciding an appropriate way to reward myself on April 23rd; one that will be enticing enough to get me out the door when it’s cold and wet (or cold or wet) out. And, to be honest, I may need to dangle the carrot of a reward for each of the days between next Monday and April 23rd.
Stay tuned…