Running a marathon seemed like a great idea at the beginning of this year (by the way, who said it could possibly be this close to April already when I'm pretty sure it was January just yesterday?!).
Like every year for the past four, I started out training pretty gung ho in January. I was out every weekend finding a new trail to conquer. About mid-February, family illness derailed me a few weeks again this year, and I struggled to recommit, but the deadline of race day loomed before me. Normally, I would put the ax to the grindstone and drag myself back outside for some hill training during the week and distances on the weekend in March to meet April with weakened conviction yet a passion to finish strong.
This year, however, I personally avoided the family illnesses in February, yet still became home-bound caring for The Sick. Then March came and I got hit with something that took me out for about 10 days that, fortunately, the children avoided. Now, April is marching right on into the house and I have commitments and schedules and life blooming itself right into my path of training, and my conviction is truly waivering. I'm pretty sure this has been the toughest year yet, and this is the year I wanted to succeed in that marathon. (Last time I trained for a full marathon, I didn't make it to the finish line due to bad weather, although I did finish the distance in my own personal race later that spring.)
I have a friend on Facebook who posts her workouts every day with distance and motivational speeches all typed out for the world to enjoy. I used to see them as motivational, too. Now they goad me.
How do you best overcome a waning spirit? Sit on the couch and type letters to yourself? Or throw on a pair of tennis shoes and go out for a run?
Thank God He made the sun shine today. I guess I'll be seeing you later!
