I've never run a race in my life - not a 5k, 10k, or any other "k". And how am I feeling about it? Well, I started asking myself : “What the heck were you thinking?????”
Actually, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at my ability to complete my training runs so far. But, as I look further down the list of my training program, I’m feeling a slight panic in the pit of my stomach. Is that 7 mile run coming up? And a 9 mile run just over the horizon. And my goodness…I see double digit miles in my very near future.
So I began to ask myself another question: “What’s the big deal if I back out?”
Let’s see…
- I’m out my $70 registration fee (I can live with that!).
- I can always do it next year (they actually do it several times a year, so plenty of races to choose from!).
- I could save on the airfare and hotel to Chicago that weekend (even though my best friend lives in Chicago and I’m out there every couple of months anyway!).
- Who cares if I change my mind? (Can’t think of one person!).
Then, I suddenly thought of one person who would care.
Me!
I made a promise to myself to do this for a variety of reasons that are very important to me. Those reasons haven’t changed.
Isn’t is funny how we find it hard to break a promise to others, but will break a promise to ourselves in a New York minute? How many times have you promised yourself you’d stick to your budget? How about the promise to be on time from now on? How about the promise to go to bed early to get a good night’s rest? What about the promise to workout at least 5 times a week? What about the promise to discipline your children and not wimp out when they start to whine or call you a bad parent?
Well, I’ve decided THIS promise I made to myself will not be broken!
So, in 100 days, I’ll be crossing the finish line (because I refuse to be so slow that I run out of time and they have to send the “pick up” bus to get me!!!).
Besides, they put me on their website! I can’t back out now!
Finally, anyone who knows me knows that I love to hear a crowd cheer – which is what my family and friends will be doing for me in 100 days!
Boy is that me! I will nearly kill myself to keep a commitment to someone else but like you said "in a New York minute" break a commitment to myself.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, you're not the only one. Not only do we keep those promises to others...sometimes we realize we shouldn't have made the promise in the first place! Learning how to say "No...I'll pass...thank you" is one of the best sentences you will ever learn!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteONE HUNDRED DAYS!!! Ahhhhhh, they will fly by!! Can't wait to see you cross the finish line. This got me to thinking about how many promises I have broken to MYSELF.....boy! Too many to count. But, each day gives us the opportunity to change this! I will start today.
ReplyDeleteNever say never and put one foot in front of the other that is all you have to do to succeed at this goal! Sounds simple....breathe, put one foot in front of the other...and smile it makes you run faster! If I can do it anyone can do it!! Congrats on your commitment. Nothing and I mean nothing feels better then running over that finish line! Cathy
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great advice Cathy! I'm already amazed at how long I've been able to run! I can't wait to experience that feeling of crossing the finish line. And my husband has decided to run with me and it's been fun training with him (so far!!!) LOL
ReplyDeleteYAY! I am doing Rock N Roll in VA Beach Labor Day. It will be my first too. You blog is exciting...can't wait to meet you at orientation! :) Petra
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