Monday, January 12, 2009

Failure

Before I get into the things I've done wrong, let's not forget the things I've done right: I haven't had a piece of candy at work for two weeks. I've been doing my yoga and letting Jillian Michaels torture me on a semi-regular basis. I've been getting out and running, even though I'd rather burrow deeper under the covers.

Enter today. A return to sub-zero temps and wicked wind chills. I knew I wouldn't be running outside and planned all day to run on my friend's treadmill after Sophie went to bed. And then my husband decided he needed to go to Menards, so I couldn't leave the house. What I should have done: gone to Plan B and let Jillian make spaghetti noodles out of my arms. What I actually did? Watched How I Met Your Mother and ate a brownie the size of my face. Oops.

There is a tiny little voice, a very small piece of me that keeps saying, "You don't have to run now. It's too cold. Wait until it's warmer - you'll have plenty of time to run then." I think learning how to shut that voice up (instead of feeding it brownies) is part of what makes us runners. It's unrealistic to think that we'll never give in to that voice (unless, of course, you're Frayed Laces, which in that case, you're my idol. Seriously.).

I'm not going to give in to that evil little voice tomorrow. I'm going to go upstairs right now and pack my bag with every piece of Under Armour I own, my Sauconys, my Yak Trax, and my Garmin, and take it with me to work tomorrow. And after work, now matter how cold or how windy it is, I'm getting my butt outside and running. Because I don't need any more brownies, I don't need any more feelings of failure, I just need to run.

13 comments:

Sarah said...

I think that we all have those days...but it sounds like you are already headed back in the right direction.

I am waiting for Amazon to deliver Jillian Michaels to my house so she can torture me too. :)

We have a lot of snow here too..I had never heard of Yak trax before...do they work well???

Mel-2nd Chances said...

enjoy your run tomorrow! i just bought that dvd tonight... will be getting tortured in the morning, wish me luck.

MCM Mama said...

We all have days like that (and I have even less of an excuse 'cause I have a treadmill in my basement). Good for you for making sure it will happen tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

Brownies are a huge weakness for me. I think sometimes giving in (in moderation of course) helps to keep you on track. See how motivated you are now! Have a great run.

Marlene said...

I am really getting intrigued about this DVD... afraid, but intrigued.

Have a great run today - you'll feel awesome once you get out there.

Anonymous said...

Go for it.

Marcy said...

Did you do it? I bet ya did ;-)

BeachRunner said...

FL is a wimp. ;)

I thought I was your idol? LOL.

Rock that run today.

Aron said...

we all definitely have those days. that run will feel awesome though!! you are doing great!

i just ordered jillian michaels and am patiently waiting for it to arrive :)

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking it's okay to cut yourself a wee bit of slack. Your profile says you live in Minnesota. MINNESOTA??? That's, like, a tad north of Hawaii, yes?

Winter for me is all about trying to maintain my current level of fitness, because it's unrealistic to expect to make gains in such craptastic weather. (You know tomorrow is supposed to get much, much, MUCH colder, right?)

Ali said...

I subscribe to that voice as well and unfortunately listen to it too often. You'll run tomorrow and feel great.

Frayed Laces said...

Ha, I agree with the moose and Beachrunner.
When it comes down to it, I am a wimp and I live in Hawaii! Why do you think so many pro athletes move here?
If I had to deal with snow I would crawl up and cry.

Oz Runner said...

yeah Tara is my favorite on Biggest Loser too...I really like her attitude and positive spirit...I hope she does well...